UCLA gained an offensive lineman, but might have lost one as well.
Donovan Edwards, a 6-foot-5, 285-pound tackle from Diablo Valley Community College, committed to UCLA and will be eligible to play this fall. Edwards, who will attend summer school to try to qualify for admission to UCLA, will have four years to play three seasons.
The Bruins, though, may be without tackle Sean Sheller, who suffered knee and ankle injuries in a vehicle accident. A UCLA official said Sheller was being treated for an open wound on the inside of his left ankle and will also undergo an MRI exam on his left knee in the near future to determine the severity of that injury.
Sheller is listed as the Bruins’ starting right tackle on the depth chart heading into fall camp.
Edwards’ commitment improves the Bruins’ depth where they are thinnest. UCLA has only two returning linemen who started a game last season, center Micah Reed and tackle Micah Kia.
During spring practice the Bruins lost tackle Aleksey Lanis to a knee injury. The UCLA offensive line is struggling to find starters, let alone capable back-ups.
The Bruins will begin fall practice on Aug. 5 and play Tennessee in their opener on Sept. 5.
Neuheisel has his work cut out for him with that offense. Yeah, depth on the offensive line was already an issue with the Bruins before all of this. It looks as if the unit may force the Bruins to a merry-go-round of quarterbacks starting this year that even Norm Chow can’t prepare for. With their schedule and issues up front, I’d be shocked if they made a bowl game this year.