We could have the Second Coming of Aaron Rodgers. But if we can't protect him, it's not going to work. Those successful Tedford years were all characterized by awesome O-Lines: Marvin Phillip, O'Callahan, Aaron Merz, Alex Mack, Noris Malele, Tepper .... What we have now doesn't come close to those guys.
Lots of comments about adding another 3rd stringer... Remember the team needs more than just top level talent. Particularly for QB (but also in general) depth is critical. Who are your 1s and 2s going to practice against? You need to run some bodies out there every week to simulate the opps and you want decent or better players developing to challenge each other. Also, when was the last time CAL had problems because the coaches only played one QB and he became unavailable...? Oh, was that every time QB1 got hurt in the past 50 years...??? At least this guy has practice coming off the bench! As comments also note... 3 years eligible as a grad transfer? He could be a 1st round NFL draft at age 25... it could happen... and I don't often pump the sunshine...
Hmmm....Cal's last two QB transfers were guys who could not crack the 2-deep at their previous schools. Jackson was third on the depth chart at TCU last year, and Finley just finished spring ball at NC State as the number three guy without getting meaningful snaps in the Spring showcase. I was hoping it would be Chance Nolan because he was the fourth highest rated QB in the Pac 12 in his last full season in 2021 at Oregon State. Ironically, TCU just grabbed Nolan out of the portal.
I tried to do some reading on the games he started. Good win against ranked UNC but my sense is that the defense was the bigger force. With 3 years of eligibility (though maybe could transfer again after a Master's?) I'm not sure I've seen enough to consider him the proven starter. Plus he's pro style, unlike presumed frontrunner Jackson.
Glad to have Finley in the competition but I would not be surprised to see us still in the market for another QB (especially Buchner. I don't think this signing would deter him either.).
There were a few, but they went to programs with proven track records and good NIL programs. We aren't quite there yet. But I do like it when we pick up good players from good programs...we may need to coach them up, but they at least have talent.
I think he started because the actual starter was injured at Purdue. I think a lot of QB;s that don't get a chance to start at a bigger school go to smaller schools with the hopes of starting and getting game experience, with a goal of later transferring back to a bigger school that needs a QB with game experience. It's become clearer and clearer that without a really good QB a team won't go far, and many teams don't want to risk an unknown with out game experience. Wins are just too important.
I think this one falls into the category of non-threatening warm body with some game experience....just in case.
We could have the Second Coming of Aaron Rodgers. But if we can't protect him, it's not going to work. Those successful Tedford years were all characterized by awesome O-Lines: Marvin Phillip, O'Callahan, Aaron Merz, Alex Mack, Noris Malele, Tepper .... What we have now doesn't come close to those guys.
Grad transfer with 3 years of eligibility remaining? Wow
Lots of comments about adding another 3rd stringer... Remember the team needs more than just top level talent. Particularly for QB (but also in general) depth is critical. Who are your 1s and 2s going to practice against? You need to run some bodies out there every week to simulate the opps and you want decent or better players developing to challenge each other. Also, when was the last time CAL had problems because the coaches only played one QB and he became unavailable...? Oh, was that every time QB1 got hurt in the past 50 years...??? At least this guy has practice coming off the bench! As comments also note... 3 years eligible as a grad transfer? He could be a 1st round NFL draft at age 25... it could happen... and I don't often pump the sunshine...
Hi. Who else is Cal now targeting in the portal.
Hopefully he'll turn out to be like Russell Wilson
Hmmm....Cal's last two QB transfers were guys who could not crack the 2-deep at their previous schools. Jackson was third on the depth chart at TCU last year, and Finley just finished spring ball at NC State as the number three guy without getting meaningful snaps in the Spring showcase. I was hoping it would be Chance Nolan because he was the fourth highest rated QB in the Pac 12 in his last full season in 2021 at Oregon State. Ironically, TCU just grabbed Nolan out of the portal.
I tried to do some reading on the games he started. Good win against ranked UNC but my sense is that the defense was the bigger force. With 3 years of eligibility (though maybe could transfer again after a Master's?) I'm not sure I've seen enough to consider him the proven starter. Plus he's pro style, unlike presumed frontrunner Jackson.
Glad to have Finley in the competition but I would not be surprised to see us still in the market for another QB (especially Buchner. I don't think this signing would deter him either.).
There were a few, but they went to programs with proven track records and good NIL programs. We aren't quite there yet. But I do like it when we pick up good players from good programs...we may need to coach them up, but they at least have talent.
I think he started because the actual starter was injured at Purdue. I think a lot of QB;s that don't get a chance to start at a bigger school go to smaller schools with the hopes of starting and getting game experience, with a goal of later transferring back to a bigger school that needs a QB with game experience. It's become clearer and clearer that without a really good QB a team won't go far, and many teams don't want to risk an unknown with out game experience. Wins are just too important.
I wonder if Schlee will leave UCLA?