Cal Football releases depth chart for 2021 Season Opener against Nevada
Mostly expected. A few surprises.
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4 days until the start of the 2021 season, the Bears have finally released their first depth chart. Most of the selections were as expected, through fall camp, though a few surprises were on the list.
Some of my notes on the depth chart:
Chase Garbers maintains his hold as QB1.
Grad Transfer QB Ryan Glover takes the coveted Backup QB role.
RB Damien Moore takes over as the starting RB role from Christopher Brooks, though I suspect the touches could be even regardless of who starts.
OL Ben Coleman who excited coaches and fans alike during fall camp has taken the starting LG role.
WR Tommy Christiakos and WR Jeremiah Hunter will be the backups to WR Trevon Clark.
WR Monroe Young has forced himself into the conversation of starter by being in competition with WR Kekoa Crawford.
The Slot receiver role is secured by WR Nikko Remigio but WR Justin Baker and WR Mason Mangum give solid depth and speed to the position. Looks like Cal wants to put a lot of speed in the slot with the trio there.
ILB Evan Tattersall and ILB Muelu Iosefa are tagged as the starters at the position with ILB Trey Paster and ILB Kyle Smith backing them up, respectively.
The starters in the back end are not surprising. CB Chigozie Anusiem and CB Josh Drayden start with CB Colin Gamble the most likely first CB off the bench and shifting Drayden to the slot when necessary.
S Elijah Hicks and S Daniel Scott round out the back end.
DE Ethan Saunders, who skyrocketed his stock during fall camp, has become the number 2 DE behind JH Tevis.
DL Jaedon Roberts is no the list as the #2 for both DE and NG. Showing some BRETT JOHNSON like positional flexibility.
From the notes, it looks like BRETT JOHNSON will miss all of the 2021 season.
1. I will continue to bang the drum for Justin Baker, Touchdown Maker
2. Remember two years ago when the first depth chart had Ricky Walker III as the starting WR? So take these with a huge grain of salt.
I'm surprised Cindric beat out Driscoll. But coaches know best and see them everyday. Either way we will need serviceable backups and it appears that Cal has 10 linemen to mix and match. Not surprised that Moore is the #1 RB and I expect DeCarlos and Dancy will get a lot of touches.
Overall what is striking about this depth chart is just that, the DEPTH is by far the best in the Wilcox era. A testament to better recruiting & development.
DL looks solid and deep albeit w/o much experience. BTW what happened to Maldonado? Not even in the 3 deep, perhaps he's injured?
Collin Gamble on KR & PR, nice!!
Depth at ILB looks solid. Whereas the depth in the defensive backfield is thinner than I had thought now that I see it on paper.