UCLA opened spring practice Tuesday and linebacker Mique Juarez officially returned to the field.
Juarez entered training camp in August as a prized freshman recruit from North Torrance High but practiced only a few days before he walked away from the team because of a “mental breakdown,” he told The Times in February.
Juarez, 6 feet 2 and 255 pounds, participated in every drill Tuesday and took repetitions mostly with the backups through the 2 1/2-hour morning practice.
“He took his first step today, his first practice, and it was good to see him,” senior linebacker Kenny Young said.