Ishmael
Adams, a playmaking defensive back and kick returner for UCLA’s football team,
has been suspended indefinitely, UCLA coach Jim Mora announced Tuesday.

Adams, a
senior, was taken into custody by UCLA police at 3:36 a.m. Pacific time Sunday
for allegedly using force to rob a cellphone from an Uber driver, according to
Tod Tamberg of UCLA’s office of media relations.

Adams was
released on $100,000 bail at 6:24 a.m. Tuesday.

Meeting with
the media after Tuesday’s practice, Mora immediately addressed Adams’
situation.

“Obviously,
I can’t get into any particulars because it is a pending legal issue,”
Mora said. “But as a football coach, as a parent, you hate to see young
men get themselves into bad situations. I take it very seriously and I take it
very personally as well.

“We
consistently, as staff, as a university, as a support group, stress the
importance of making good decisions to our young men,” Mora added.
“We talk about it on a consistent basis. You hope with all your heart that
it sinks in, but you don’t always know.”

The rapid
response of social media is part of those discussions.

“These
young men are in the bright eye of the media because of what they do,”
Mora said. “When they do make a mistake it is magnified. It tarnishes
their reputation, and certainly tarnishes to some extent the reputation of this
program.”

Mora would
not specify what would be required of Adams to return to the team.

“As
facts become available, we’ll make our decision as we go,” the coach said.

Adams is due
in court on Sept. 22. UCLA’s football team opens its season Saturday at the
Rose Bowl against Virginia.

Adams is 5
feet 8 and 180 pounds, but he has started 26 consecutive games by playing
bigger than his frame.

“He
plays with that chip on his shoulder in practice, in games,” Mora said
last season. “He’s a fighter, a scrapper.”

Adams’
ability to create big plays was vital to the Bruins in 2014. Against Virginia
in the season opener, Adams returned an interception for a touchdown. He also
scored on a punt return, only to have it nullified by a penalty in the 28-20
victory.

Adams had
two touchdowns in a 62-27 victory over Arizona State, a 95-yard interception
return and a 100-yard kickoff return.

“He has
a knack for making plays,” Mora said last season. “When he gets the
ball in his hands, there is no way he is going to go down easy.”

Adams is
also well-known for jawing on the field, something that has amused teammates
and annoyed opponents.

“I
don’t think a day goes by where Ish doesn’t try to start a fight in
practice,” former UCLA quarterback Brett Hundley said last season.
“He goes after receivers, even ours. That’s good for us.”

Adams’
streak of consecutive starts for the Bruins appeared in jeopardy even before
his arrest. Marcus Rios has been working with the first-team defense at Adams’
cornerback spot. Adams was expected to be used frequently as a nickel back.