Daily Cal: Healthy Tepper Eyes Chance At Winning Starting Spot

BY Stephen Chen

When people complain about their grueling nine-to-five job, sophomore offensive tackle Mike Tepper probably doesn't want to hear about it.   By now, his story is well-documented. Tepper jumped in front of a car last summer when the driver tried to back up into his friend. Tepper saved her from serious injury, but in the process, his foot was run over twice.  For the past year, Tepper has been putting in 15 hour days as he tries to recover from a broken fibula and a dislocated tibia and to earn a starting spot on the Cal football team.

"Physically, (the rehab) wasn't as bad. Mentally, it took a huge toll on me. It was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do in my life," he said.

At 6:30 a.m. his alarm clock went off. From 7-8, it was lifting, followed by two hours of rehab. After class ended at 2:15, Tepper attended team meetings and practice that went until 7. He went back for rehab until 9 p.m.  "And then wake up the next morning, walk to the stadium and do it all over again," Tepper said.  Although doctors said he will need to continue rehabbing for another year and a half, his leg is now considered 100 percent. Tepper has put on 20 pounds from last season-he's up to 336 pounds-making him the biggest player on the team.  Tepper said his strength is back and his main focus is now regaining the technique that made him a consensus all-star selection in Southern California coming out of high school. Offensive line coach Jim Michalczik said Tepper has been moving very well in camp, and much of the rust he showed in the spring is gone.

His return comes at an opportune time for the team. As coach Jeff Tedford enjoys a more experienced camp with 18 returning players, the same cannot be said about the offensive line, which lost offensive tackle Ryan O'Callaghan, center Marvin Philip and offensive guard Aaron Merz-who were all selected in this year's NFL Draft.  Tepper has been battling with seniors Andrew Cameron and Scott Smith for the left tackle spot. A position change to the other side of the line for one of the players is not out of the question, either.  "As camp moves on, we'll see if (Tepper's) able to fit in there," Tedford said. "We feel like he has the ability and the potential to be a contributor. Like anybody who misses a year, not only physically, but experience-wise he's behind."  On the first couple of days of camp, Tepper practiced with the second team, and Friday, he was seeing some action with the first team. When asked where he thinks he'll fit in next season, Tepper gave a long pause before answering.

"Honestly," he said, "I really don't know my chances right now. It's not my decision, it's the coaches decision, but I'm going to give it 100 percent."

For Tepper, it's been frustrating having to take in the action from the sidelines. A look at his imposing figure and one instantly knows Tepper belongs on a football field. But so far during his time at Cal, the focus has been on his contributions off the field. He hopes that will change this season.

"Since January I've been saying that by next year I want to only talk about the guy I just pancaked across the line or the guy or the guy I just completely demolished or the touchdown I helped lead block in," Tepper said. "I don't want to talk about my injury. It's in the past."