May 12, 2015
Nashville — EJ DellaRipa, an all-conference junior college offensive tackle from Southern California, has signed to play for the Vanderbilt Commodores, Head Coach Derek Mason announced today.
The 6-4, 300-pound College of the Canyons product will enroll this summer at Vanderbilt and can participate this season. The Commodores open their 2015 campaign by hosting Western Kentucky Sept. 5.
A native of Castaic, Calif., DellaRipa becomes the 19th member of Vanderbilt’s 2015 signing class. He enters the university with three years of eligibility.
“We are extremely pleased and excited to have EJ joining our football program this season,” Mason said. “EJ’s a talented young lineman who developed tremendously at College of the Canyons. He’s an excellent addition to the 2015 signing class, our offensive line corps, and our entire roster.”
In 2014, DellaRipa started every game at offensive tackle at the College of the Canyons, earning second team Southern Carolina Football Association All-Northern League honors. It was DellaRipa’s first year at the school, located about just north of Los Angeles.
“EJ was an excellent player for our team, earning 10 starts at right tackle,” Canyons Head Coach Ted Iacenda said. “EJ’s upside is extremely high. Nearly half of his starts this year came as a 17-year-old. He practices and lifts hard every day. He’s the consummate team player.
“EJ knows what he wants and knows what it takes to see to make it happen. He’s plays with a great motor, and brings both a tremendous pass blocking ability and a physical attitude to the run game. I’m happy for EJ and I’m happy for Coach Mason and Vanderbilt,” Iacenda added.
DellaRipa was a two-sport standout at West Ranch High School in northern Los Angeles County. In addition to starting two years in football, DellaRipa also played goalie on the West Ranch lacrosse squad.
DellaRipa becomes the fifth offensive line prospect in the Vanderbilt signing class. He joins Darion DeBrossard of Snellville, Ga., Ean Pfeifer of Bentonville, Ark., Justin Skule of Clifton, Va., and Jared Southers of South Orange, N.J.