Defensive lineman Ellis McCarthy is, numerically speaking, a fraction of the man he used to be.
After two knee surgeries and a freshman campaign in which he failed to earn consistent reps, the defensive tackle spent extra time with UCLA strength and conditioning coach Sal Alosi during the offseason, and the results have shown in his appearance and athleticism on the field.
Following Wednesday’s practice, coach Jim Mora noted McCarthy’s physical adjustment, highlighting a play in 11-on-11 scrimmaging in which McCarthy did his best impression of Eric McNeal in the 2006 UCLA-USC game, tipping an errant pass at the line of scrimmage and diving to catch the ball for an interception.
The following day, Mora was quick once again to point out the progression of his new and improved defensive tackle.
“You can tell that he’s just a different guy right now,” Mora said. “His body looks different. It still looks big but it looks different. He’s moving well, he’s light on his feet. He’s quick, he’s powerful, he’s strong.”
McCarthy, who noted that he couldn’t have made the same play last year, is now listed at 330 pounds after losing 20 since last season, a transformation that he feels has benefited his ability to stay healthy.
“I feel a lot quicker,” McCarthy said. “My knees are 100 percent, my legs are 100 percent. I feel great. It took a lot of pressure of my knees.”
A more nimble McCarthy will still face heavy competition for repetitions on the field this season as Seali’i Epenesa, a senior, returns to the field after starting 10 games last season. Still, McCarthy says he is optimistic given his increased versatility.
“I feel comfortable anywhere on the D-line,” McCarthy said. “I just felt like I had to lose the weight to play the position I was needed at.”
Benenoch’s quick upgrade
Mid-way through Thursday’s practice, freshman right guard Caleb Benenoch was introduced to the first-team offense, where he would stay for the remainder of practice.
Mora acknowledged Benenoch’s improvements since arriving in San Bernardino, but expressed caution at getting too high on his talents, as the freshman has only seen four hours of practice time in front of coaches thus far.
“Look, that’s temporary,” Mora said. “It’s been two practices out here in San Bernardino. (But) He looks like a guy that’s going to be competitive in there for that position.”
Benenoch, one of UCLA’s seven freshman offensive linemen, said that while he is taking the jump from high school to college football in stride, he still has plenty of roadblocks to overcome.
“Today I had some growing pains, but the things (offensive line) coach (Adrian) Klemm talked to me about is I can’t play like a freshman,” Benenoch said. “I have to believe I’m supposed to be with the ones; I’ve got to play like I’ve been here for a few years.”
One of Benenoch’s major adjustments at UCLA will be blocking much larger, stronger defensive linemen, including 275-pound redshirt junior defensive end Brandon Willis, during the team’s stay in San Bernardino.
“Everybody is big, everybody is strong,” Benenoch said. “Everybody is just as big as you and as strong as you and most of the D linemen are faster than you are, so you really have to come with it.”
News and Injury Notes
· Sophomore safety Randall Goforth was not at practice Thursday. According to the Los Angeles Times, Goforth overslept and was late to a meeting, barring him from practice for the day. Mora indicated that the safety will return to practice tomorrow.
· Redshirt junior linebacker Eric Kendricks was again held out of team drills as he recovers from a minor ankle surgery, but according to Mora he is “moving around better every day.”
· Redshirt senior Y receiver Darius Bell was held out of team drills in order to “keep his hand out of contact situations,” per Mora.