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UCLA loses stud DT Eddie Vanderdoes for year with torn ACL

By Patrick Schmidt

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UCLA loses defensive tackle Eddie Vanderdoes to a torn ACL and will miss the rest of the season.

Eddie Vanderdoes limped off the field during the Bruins opener against Virginia in the third quarter and that likely be the last image UCLA fans have of the potential All-Pac-12 defensive lineman this year after suffering a torn ACL, according to Rivals.

Vanderdoes was an honorable mention All-Pac-12 defender last year and led UCLA in tackles with eight in the opener despite doing it on a torn ACL and leaving in the third quarter.

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According to Greg Beacham of the AP, UCLA isn’t exactly sure when the injury happened, but Bruins head coach Jim More said Vanderdoes had his knee “lock up on him early in the game.” Talk about the toughness it required from Vanderdoes to suffer the injury, then withstand the pain and come back into the game, and then be a dominant player on top of that.

Losing Vanderdoes for the rest of the year deprives the Bruins of arguably their first or second best player besides linebacker Myles Jack and means nose tackle Kenny Clark is going to be getting even more double teams. PLus, Vanderdoes plays some fullback too, so it’s like losing two players in one.

With Vanderdoes out, Matt Dickerson is expected to see more reps at tackle and converted offensive guard Najee Toran who is behind Vanderdoes on the depth chart will be pressed into duty.

UCLA was one of the biggest winners of the opening weekend behind the phenomenal debut of freshman quarterback Josh Rosen, but losing Vanderdoes will put even more pressure on the freshman to put up enough points in case the defense struggles.

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