Cal Football QB Spencer Brasch to transfer
Cal Football QB Spencer Brasch to transfer
The redshirt sophomore will have 4 years left to play
Cal redshirt sophomore QB Spencer Brasch has announced his intent to transfer. The news comes on the eve of the Cal Spring Game, where it was expected to see a battle for the position of backup QB between Brasch and Zach Johnson.
Brasch becomes the second QB to leave this month, following the departure of Jaden Casey. The former 3-star QB, from Higley in Gilbert, Arizona, played in just 2 games in his Cal career. Both games were as a true freshman in 2019, while maintaining his redshirt during that season. He stepped in after Devon Modster was injured during the 21-17 loss to Oregon State game in 2019, going 2/6 for 24 yards and 1 interception. He then started the following game in Utah. The shorthanded Bears were blown to then #12 Utah, 35-0. In a game where S Ashtyn Davis lined up at WR, Brasch went 7/19 for 47 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions.
We thank you for your time in Berkeley, Spencer! We wish you nothing but the best wherever you go!
In comparison, Austin Hinder, who chose Cal while holding an offer from Alabama, spent the entire time as a backup but never transferred. I think it just depends on the individual. Hinder seemed to be enjoying spending time with his Cal friends out here. His highlight was the Klindergoff competition in 2013.
I love how peeps are so flip about 4* QBs. "No worries we have a 4* coming in this year and next." Ratings, especially at QB, don't mean anything.
Modster transfer was "expected".
Casey transfer I expected as well only because I am friends with a friend of the family. That was no surprise.
Brasch leaving puts the QB group as the least experienced group on the entire team. Brasch was, until he left, the only QB with "some" PT (1 game and a few series). How his departure is spun into "good news" or "we are OK" is one play and one knee injury away should Chase go down. Rowell does have a few mop up series that hardly counts as experience.
It is an entirely different scenario if your #2 has experience or has been in the system for multiple years ~ especially at the QB position. In this instant case Cal does not have that.
As the spring sessions went on with Casey leaving just a few days in and then Brasch leaving one day after Musgrave announces his #1 and #2, it is not a stretch to surmise that Musgrave made a decision prior to spring even starting. QBs are Alphas by nature. They want to compete and sans an opportunity to do so, they will move on.
Modster and Casey's departure could be absorbed, losing Brasch hurts the team. Here is one simple aspect where it hurts: with only 3 QB's that's a lot of less "turns" for WRs & TEs. You can't have your QBs throwing 100's of passes per practice and burning their arms out. And that goes for both the #1 and #2. WRs and TEs will get less reps, not good for development or depth. This issue is now exasperated during the summer months of PLP where there is potential for a lot of reps.
So to sum up, you can't convince me that having 3 QBs (4th coming in June/August, which will help) is overall good for the team heading into the Fall. Best case scenario is that Millner comes in and completely absorbs the playbook and wows the staff. At that point, I would feel a lot more comfortable going into this campaign that is critical for Musgrave and Cal's doormat offense.
Hopefully the OL is much improved this year that would alleviate a lot of pressure on the QBs.