He was banged up from the very beginning of the season wincing after tackles. Early in the year he was pretty good at getting open and moving the chains, so I'm curious as to how he'll do next year.
I felt this exact same way about a certain combo guard that returned for MM….unfortunately still do.
Hopefully Hamper’s return goes a little smoother, tho he’s ideally WR4. Even when he was healthy early in the season he struggled massively with drops.
Yeah, he was basically the biggest dropsie guy we had.
But if we are also getting a bunch of better receivers then it's not the worst thing if he's just around on the depth chart. Maybe he improves himself and earns playing time or he's a backup.
I am getting all caught up in the transfer portal drama. It reminds me of the HS signing day back in the day when we had Tosh. I had lost interest in recent HS recruiting but the transfer portal is the new recruiting.
I will miss Raphael, who gave his all for us last year. That said, Mohammed looks like an excellent back. Man, Cal is winning some tough recruiting battles again!
just hitting me that something will have to eventually change.
College Football was touting for $$ like the pros... and got it
but now it's like the pros except NO CONTRACTS.
just free agent every year. people moving on a whim. destabilizing teams, putting their degrees at risk, coaches signed for x years but students going willy nilly...
I think if people are going to commit more and more $$, there needs to be some commitment level...
That graphic is really funny for some reason but it's the one on his Insta. Cal, aTm, and Virigina were the only visits he had posted.
Seems like we may be hearing a decision soon. Obviously this is encouraging, but there are other reasons that can be disappointing (like another program giving him an offer he can't refuse).
Good news. Glad to see Wilkins being smart enuf to realize that being coached on the Dline by Lupoi is a gift worth opening. And he’s up to to Lupoi’s challenge of “8 second of hell”……I would not be surprised if he has a great year, and the experts then take to call him a “sleeper”. I remember several of his pass bat downs as crucial plays, and I’ve never understood why all D linemen and line backers don’t go to that more often, even when they think they are close to a sack (which usually doesn’t result in a sack).
Maybe they can get Cam Jordan to come in during spring ball and show them how it's done. He's been elite at blocking passes from the line throughout his career, and is one of the greatest Cal players and NFL defensive lineman of all time.
I was looking at some of the details and when people start nitpicking such and such is unconstitutional, all these NCAA rules start becoming useless. People can say some of the football rules are unconstitutional too.
To some degree, yes. Though we have to keep in mind that a lot of these guys won't make it to the NFL. And these annual NIL deals may be much higher than their starting salaries in whatever profession they go into. Having that money now could have an ENORMOUS positive impact on the rest of their life.
However, this approach is contingent on them having the right values and advice. So these things are complementary. There's no doubting, though, that the system is completely unsustainable and full of terrible incentives and pressures for 17yos. In our current culture, youth are both obligated to sacrifice their childhood for later success while also delaying many adult responsibilities even beyond college age.
I don't have a solution because I am old and from the era where you're out of the house at 18 (or paying rent).
Of course Tom Brady wouldn't want it any other way! Everything worked out for him! What about a bunch of other guys who got stuck down the depth chart and never got to play?
But Tom Brady sat the first three years before starting his junior and senior seasons. Kids nowadays would be impatient and be transferring immediately. That was the question for Tom too. Of course it worked out for him.
Btw according to Wikipedia,
Initially, Brady was seventh on the depth chart, and struggled to get playing time.[51] Brady hired a sports psychologist to help him cope with frustration and anxiety, and considered transferring to the University of California, Berkeley.[52][53] He worked closely with assistant athletic director Greg Harden, who met with Brady every week to build his confidence and maximize his performance.
Good for him. I don't care what the awards say, I'd still pick King Salmon Aaron Hampton over him any day. Here's hoping he stays with the team and gets more snaps next year.
Adam Mohammed, RB from Washington, is a Golden Bear!
Huge improvements with him and Strong. Amazing let’s Goooooo
hell yeah!!
WOW!!!!!
. . . do we have to take Hamper back?
He was banged up from the very beginning of the season wincing after tackles. Early in the year he was pretty good at getting open and moving the chains, so I'm curious as to how he'll do next year.
I felt this exact same way about a certain combo guard that returned for MM….unfortunately still do.
Hopefully Hamper’s return goes a little smoother, tho he’s ideally WR4. Even when he was healthy early in the season he struggled massively with drops.
Yeah, he was basically the biggest dropsie guy we had.
But if we are also getting a bunch of better receivers then it's not the worst thing if he's just around on the depth chart. Maybe he improves himself and earns playing time or he's a backup.
Here’s to hoping the drops were either from the shoulder injury he got early or the Berkeley optometry school.
Hey just throw him the rinse cycle and he will come out brand new and catch better;-)
I am getting all caught up in the transfer portal drama. It reminds me of the HS signing day back in the day when we had Tosh. I had lost interest in recent HS recruiting but the transfer portal is the new recruiting.
The portal is more binding than high school commitments until signing day. Something refreshing about that even though the whole system is a shambles.
Can't wait for the next HS signing day too
Nate Burrell is coming back. He withdrew his name from the transfer portal
Hopefully Hamper manages to find his hands during the offseason. I don't know if I'll be able to stand watching another dropfest.
I will miss Raphael, who gave his all for us last year. That said, Mohammed looks like an excellent back. Man, Cal is winning some tough recruiting battles again!
I agree Raphael ran hard, with few holes. He was solid. I wish he had stayed so we could have a one-two punch with him at Mohammed.
He can always come back and be RB3.
He still can technically, but Lupoi and Co. could already have a plan in place.
The Calgorithm is so effin' glorious.
https://x.com/i/status/2008060862364332069
Adam Mohammed to Cal
https://x.com/i/status/2008664562959327735
seeing all these 're-signed"...
just hitting me that something will have to eventually change.
College Football was touting for $$ like the pros... and got it
but now it's like the pros except NO CONTRACTS.
just free agent every year. people moving on a whim. destabilizing teams, putting their degrees at risk, coaches signed for x years but students going willy nilly...
I think if people are going to commit more and more $$, there needs to be some commitment level...
Adam Mohamed to Cal?
https://x.com/i/status/2008642417839534418
BAM HE IS A GOLDEN BEAR!
That graphic is really funny for some reason but it's the one on his Insta. Cal, aTm, and Virigina were the only visits he had posted.
Seems like we may be hearing a decision soon. Obviously this is encouraging, but there are other reasons that can be disappointing (like another program giving him an offer he can't refuse).
Regarding Dazmin James. All that muscle translated to nothing.
Jayden Wayne is also coming back
Like a fountain!
Good news. Glad to see Wilkins being smart enuf to realize that being coached on the Dline by Lupoi is a gift worth opening. And he’s up to to Lupoi’s challenge of “8 second of hell”……I would not be surprised if he has a great year, and the experts then take to call him a “sleeper”. I remember several of his pass bat downs as crucial plays, and I’ve never understood why all D linemen and line backers don’t go to that more often, even when they think they are close to a sack (which usually doesn’t result in a sack).
Maybe they can get Cam Jordan to come in during spring ball and show them how it's done. He's been elite at blocking passes from the line throughout his career, and is one of the greatest Cal players and NFL defensive lineman of all time.
Thanks! Any word on Quaron Adams or when we will hear about De Jesus' appeal for another year of legibility? 5'7" is the new 6'4"....
Nothing posted on Quaron's socials that I can find. De Jesus is a plaintiff in the Pavia suit. https://www.collegesportslitigationtracker.com/tracker
I was looking at some of the details and when people start nitpicking such and such is unconstitutional, all these NCAA rules start becoming useless. People can say some of the football rules are unconstitutional too.
Thanks. I clicked on the link re the civil suit that De Jesus is a party to. Looks like it will be quite some time, later in the summer. C’est la vie.
Yes to this. I would love to see those two come back.
Interesting take from Tom Brady and I agree with him.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DTLakNaDzS6/?igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
To some degree, yes. Though we have to keep in mind that a lot of these guys won't make it to the NFL. And these annual NIL deals may be much higher than their starting salaries in whatever profession they go into. Having that money now could have an ENORMOUS positive impact on the rest of their life.
However, this approach is contingent on them having the right values and advice. So these things are complementary. There's no doubting, though, that the system is completely unsustainable and full of terrible incentives and pressures for 17yos. In our current culture, youth are both obligated to sacrifice their childhood for later success while also delaying many adult responsibilities even beyond college age.
I don't have a solution because I am old and from the era where you're out of the house at 18 (or paying rent).
Of course Tom Brady wouldn't want it any other way! Everything worked out for him! What about a bunch of other guys who got stuck down the depth chart and never got to play?
But Tom Brady sat the first three years before starting his junior and senior seasons. Kids nowadays would be impatient and be transferring immediately. That was the question for Tom too. Of course it worked out for him.
Btw according to Wikipedia,
Initially, Brady was seventh on the depth chart, and struggled to get playing time.[51] Brady hired a sports psychologist to help him cope with frustration and anxiety, and considered transferring to the University of California, Berkeley.[52][53] He worked closely with assistant athletic director Greg Harden, who met with Brady every week to build his confidence and maximize his performance.
Actually I don't agree with him. He should have transferred and be representing Cal along with Aaron Rodgers.
Ferrelli to Clemson. Boo. https://x.com/i/status/2008626424954110175
We need 2 good news for every 1 bad news.
Good for him. I don't care what the awards say, I'd still pick King Salmon Aaron Hampton over him any day. Here's hoping he stays with the team and gets more snaps next year.
Ugh!