Linebacker Jeremy Castro transfers to Hawaii

Jeremy Castro’s bumpy path toward UCLA is officially over. The former four-star recruit from Murrieta, Calif., has transferred to Hawaii, the Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported.

Jim Mora said earlier this week that Castro had not been cleared by UCLA. The Bruins’ head coach added that he was not allowed to divulge any details. The 6-2, 240-pound freshman was part of the 2012 recruiting class, but grayshirted due to academic struggles and enrolled in January.

Practicing with the Bruins this past spring, Castro made very few gains in the depth chart. Led by All-American Anthony Barr, UCLA linebackers form the team’s deepest and arguably most talented unit.

Freshman DE Eddie Vanderdoes returns to practice

SAN BERNARDINO — Eddie Vanderdoes may have been a little too eager.

Limited by a tight back nearly all of fall camp, the freshman defensive end bull-rushed without pads on his first play Friday morning, his first significant taste of college football. After being scolded by Mora, he dialed the intensity back a little too much.

“As you guys noticed, he didn’t quite understand the tempo there,” head coach Jim Mora said. “He got a little bit aggressive, so we sent him off for a couple of plays. He told me after practice he feels good.

“We just have to really work him back in — not at a snail’s pace, but at a pace where we don’t overload him too early. You can certainly see the level of ability.”

Vanderdoes pegged his progress at about 85 percent. The five-star recruit wasn’t sure exactly what ailed him, but described symptoms that indicated a slipped disc. He said treatment included stretching and a lot of work on the trainer’s table.

“The last few days, I was still hurting a little bit,” Vanderdoes said. “I wanted to go in, but they wouldn’t let me.”

PASS-BLOCKING KEY FOR TAILBACKS

For weeks, UCLA has stuck with the message that it will use five different tailbacks. Through that time, however, junior Jordon James has taken the bulk of the first-team reps.

One reason? His pass-blocking is improving, which bodes well for his chances to become the official starter. Continue reading “Freshman DE Eddie Vanderdoes returns to practice” »