Left tackle Conor McDermott returning to UCLA for final season
Redshirt junior left tackle Conor McDermott has started 19 of UCLA’s 26 games over the past two seasons. In those 19 starts, the Bruins have allowed an average of 1.5 sacks per game, while they’ve allowed 3.7 sacks per game in the seven games McDermott hasn’t started. (Aubrey Yeo/Daily Bruin senior staff)
By Matt Joye
Jan. 5, 2016 8:48 p.m.
UCLA football starting left tackle Conor McDermott announced via Instagram on Tuesday night that he will be returning to UCLA for his redshirt senior season in 2016.
After long discussion with my family and coaches, I'm proud to say I… https://t.co/4if0ADVixQ
— Conor McDermott (@mcdermottc11) January 6, 2016
McDermott has been a fixture at the starting left tackle position for the Bruins for the better half of the last two seasons. He started the final seven games of the 2014 season at that position – a period that saw UCLA lower its sacks-allowed rate from 4.2 to game to 2.1 per game – and started 12 of 13 games in 2015.
In the 2015 season, McDermott helped UCLA become one of the best pass-protecting units in the country. With McDermott installed at left tackle, the Bruins allowed just 1.15 sacks per game, tied for 16th-best in the country. Not only that, but McDermott showed poise and strength against some of the nation’s best pass-rushing teams. UCLA had five opponents who ended up finishing in the top 30 in sacks per game – BYU, Arizona State, Washington State, Utah and USC – and the Bruins held four of them below their season averages.
McDermott’s decision to return to college or go to the NFL was a make-or-break point in the Bruins’ offseason. If McDermott decided to declare for the 2016 NFL draft, the Bruins would be left with only one returning starter from their 2015 offensive line – redshirt sophomore left guard Kenny Lacy.
Prior to McDermott’s decision, UCLA had lost three starters on the offensive line – two to the NFL draft, junior right guard Alex Redmond and junior right tackle Caleb Benenoch, and one to graduation, redshirt senior center Jake Brendel.
Compiled by Matthew Joye, Bruin Sports senior staff.
