After starting every game for UCLA the previous season, Jeff Baca missed the entire 2010 season due to being academically ineligible.
Coming off that low point in his career, the offensive lineman has yet another issue to deal with, although this one was out of his control.
The tackle suffered what turned out to be a fractured left ankle during the Bruins’ second practice of the spring Thursday and the school confirmed the extent of the damage Friday. He underwent surgery last night to repair the damage, and will be out of action for an indefinite period of time.
While summer camp is still four months or so away, his availability for the start of that phase of preparations for the 2011 season is very much up in the air.
Baca started 13 games in 2009 -- and 21 for his career -- and was penciled in as the starter heading into the spring sessions. With Baca out, redshirt sophomore Stan Hasiak and redshirt junior Connor Bradford will take over the junior’s first-team reps.