UCLA Defensive Lineman Ellis McCarthy To Declare For the Draft, Per Bleacher Report
It has come out that UCLA junior defensive lineman Ellis McCarthy will declare for the NFL and forego his senior season with the Bruins. Via Bleacher Report, a tweet came out from NFL Insider for Yahoo Sports, Rand Getlin, that the 6’5″ 325 lbs. nose tackle for the Bruins is expected to put his name in the 2015 NFL Draft.
Sources: #UCLA DL Ellis McCarthy is expected to forego his final season of eligibility and enter the NFL Draft. pic.twitter.com/yG0eZUjYh7
— Rand Getlin (@RandGetlin) January 13, 2015
UCLA Bruins
If true, McCarthy would be the fourth major Bruin defender UCLA will lose after their epic season that saw them selected as the 10th best team in the country in the final AP Poll. The Bruins are already losing seniors LB Eric Kendricks, DB Anthony Jefferson and DL Owamagbe Odighizuwa, who could all possibly get selected in the 2015 NFL Draft, so the loss of McCarthy is a big blow to the UCLA defense.
McCarthy had played in all 13 games for UCLA this year, though he did not start a single one as he was back-up to defensive tackle Kenny Clark. Though he was not a stand out on the Bruin defensive line, he was a very physical specimen that helped the Bruins as the third best team in the Pac-12 Conference in total defense.
McCarthy had finished the season with 21 total tackles (14th on the team), 3 tackles for a loss for 19 yards, 3 sacks for 19 yards and 1 forced fumble.
Though it is a bit of a surprise, we wish the best to Ellis McCarthy. Go Bruins!