The USC Trojans were dealt a blow in the middle of the defense on Sunday. Linebacker Jabari Ruffin, a potential starter on the outside, suffered a torn ACL in his left knee. The injury will prevent him from playing for the Trojans until 2015.
“This is very unfortunate news about Jabari, but I know he will rehab well and come back strong next year,” USC head coach Steve Sarkisian said on the school’s football website. “And I know our team will step up in his absence.”
Ruffin is a redshirt sophomore and will have two years of eligibility remaining after this season. According to the school’s website, Ruffin was injured as he was tackled while returning an interception.
The 6' 4", 230 pound linebacker and California native was the nation’s top-ranked outside linebacker in the Class of 2012 according to Rivals. With Ruffin now out of the mix for a potential starting job at outside linebacker in 2014, the Trojans are expecting to see J.R. Tavai, Scott Felix and Quinton Powell to fill the void.