Just saw the video highlights. You are not kidding.; he's lightning. He'd be an excellent running back, but he throws damned well, too.
My only concern is his style poses a slightly elevated risk of injury, especially when he makes second-efforts. This makes me think we still need an ace in-the-hole to back him up or for him to back up. Not sure Mendoza's our guy for that.
Come to think of it, Utah died when Rising got injured in their bowl game. Yes, we need more than one ace. Jackson would be great out the wildcat with another QB.
I love this add, he's tailor made to Spav's RPO system and has been practicing in a similar offense for the last 2 years with Sonny. He's oozing with potential and has 3 YEARS of eligibility with us. He does look pretty raw but god dam the way he runs is closer to Lamar Jackson than Brendon Mccelwein in my humble opinion. As long as he isn't heavily interception prone I don't see how this offense could be worse than last years even without sturdivant
It's funny, I read somewhere his comp was Goff. Other than small hands and the jersey, I don't see that at all. Not as long as Jackson obviously, but man they are similarly fast and elusive. When we spread these guys out, we could have some really crazy rushing stats on some game days.
I was at the 2019 Army/Navy game where Malcolm Perry, as QB, dropped back to pass ~10-15 times but never threw the ball. He'd just wait for things to clear out and then scamper down the field to >300 rushing yards. Sam looks like he could do that too, AND he's got an arm!!!! I am excite!!!
Fantastic get from spavital! So what if he doesn’t have a ton of experience. If cal can secure a few more offensive line pieces, all he would have to do in his first year at the helm is hand the ball off to that three headed monster Cal now has in the backfield and let the playmakers operate in space. Spavital will develop him nicely.
It’s a bummer sturdivant entered the portal because this team offensively is coming together with some really nice pieces. 4 star recruits has to be the standard to compete with the top of the conference assuming the staff can develop these guys based on their rankings out of high school.
Maybe he has a change of heart...... Hope so; such a stud. He could always portal next year if this doesn't work out for him, though now he has more competition for passes.
I've definitely seen people return to their schools from the portal after seeing the landscape, but I think it's rare because of a pride thing. I think there's an element of not wanting to look like nobody else wanted you.
We do if you count stars from HS. The reason a lot of these 4* guys are 3* as transfers is because they're also graded on their year(s) in college, and we're generally getting guys that didn't have an insane amount of playing time when looking at Cardwell, Jackson, etc.
Good news? Absolutely...it is great that they got someone from a P5 as opposed to marginal Sun Belt or C-USA kids, but 6 collegiate passes in his career? Is that a homerun?
It will be interesting to see if the 3rd string QB at TCU is actually the kid that is going to save Justin Wilcox's job, as that is basically what he is being tasked to do...we shall see.
The 3rd stringer who was a Class of 21, sitting behind the clear (and returning) starter and the senior who just led them through essentially the entire season and to the NC game. I think we can reserve judgment on what 3rd stringer status means here. The fact that he was a 4* (no guarantee) and solid dual threat deserves some leeway.
You're entitled to your opinion, Maestro, I just don't share it. That TCU team was garbage last year, and NO one saw this year coming...no one...Dunno if you recall, but TCU had major questions at QB on day 1 between some incredibly mediocre guys, with Jackson never even in the conversation.
I did say I was happy to get a QB, but some are acting like this dude is the missing piece, which is ridiculous. Hopefully he is a stud P12 for the next 3 years, but he's hardly a proven commodity.
I too want to be excited about this, but he could be the second coming of Devon Modster, brilliant in flashes but extremely turnover prone. I don't know how losing one unproven four star--who showed ability to sling the ball in limited playing time--and picking up another unproven four start gets me too excited. I guess I am excited simply because we have added a quarterback after losing two. Maybe we'll add someone like Huard to the mix, or Marshawn will pull some NIL coup and get Rashada to enroll...I hear he may have been eaten by an alligator on the way to campus...that would make me hella excited!
How often do we recruit 4* QBs? The fact that we were able to reload one immediately like this is a good thing whether or not he pans out. And don't forget Spav took Davis Webb and basically forced him onto an NFL roster. He would not have been picked up if it weren't for his 1 year at Cal.
Jackson's new with no prior experience, but history says Spav should at least be able to put together a functional offense and so we should try to trust him until he proves us wrong.
Edit: Also, I doubt we're actually shooting for Huard since Spav is 100% looking for DT QBs. I could see us pushing for Justin Martyn since he's about to get passed up by Dante Moore. I don't know if we want Rashada, he looks like a headache that's just been caught trying to double dip in NIL.
The TCU team was garbage last year because of Gary Patterson, who basically ran out of ideas. He knew how to put together a solid defense, but that was about it. Honestly, TCU and Cal's problems were exactly the same; the only difference is that Dykes took over as HC and took advantage of the defense Patterson put together, whereas Wilcox is still here and found the OC version of Dykes.
I remember, in the late 70s, chanting, "Rose Bowl, Rose Bowl..." Often that morphed into "Toilet Bowl, Toilet Bowl." I had no idea our drought would linger so long.
I do like this perspective on Cal Football, generally speaking. From the end of the season until reality sets in, during the first third of the CFB season, all we got is irrational optimism, right? It is the currency of Cal Football!
You're not missing anything. We got a high upside (but Brandon McIlwain floor) transfer when we thought we were going to end up with (best case scenario) Zach Maynard 2.0. At least this gives us something to dream about.
Given we got the Tennessee RB (Justin Williams-Thomas) who portaled to 'Furd and then to us, I think the door is open until it closes, or they sign a letter....maybe?
It's not, but I think we'd need to pony up for an NIL package of some sort. I had heard that Plummer's leaving kind of decided it for him. Not sure how much Sam Jackson tips things back in our favor.
The transfer portal both gives and takes. The benefit that I love about it is teams can rebuild offensive/defensive sides of the football without taking 3-4 years now.
Oh hellz yes....momentum is really building! RB's, WR and now a 4 Star duel threat QB...we CAN have nice things! Now hopefully this will attract some line talent to support the skill players...be still my racing heart!
Told y’all to stay frosty
...so you're saying there's a chance...O line too? (ohpleaseohpleaseohplease)
This is great news on name alone.
"Say 'what' again! I dare you! I double dare you, motherfucker! Say what one more goddamn time!"
Do they speak English in What?
Hold on to your butts!
Complain all you want about Wilcox, but you can't say that he isn't changing the football team by the root.
That’s what we were complaining about.
Very happy that he’s going in a new direction with the Offense.
This is EXCELLENT! This dude is fast as hell
Wilcox is acting like this is his last shot and is adapting, making the best of it. Which is both good and correct. He's not just muddling along.
To be fair, this was his original design. Spav is the one that said no so that he could go try being a head coach.
Hope it works!
He better be
Fast is good.
Fast is good.
Yeah but you know the problem "they" say with speed...you can't coach it.
Only a problem when it's on the other side of the line....
Just saw the video highlights. You are not kidding.; he's lightning. He'd be an excellent running back, but he throws damned well, too.
My only concern is his style poses a slightly elevated risk of injury, especially when he makes second-efforts. This makes me think we still need an ace in-the-hole to back him up or for him to back up. Not sure Mendoza's our guy for that.
Just need to teach him to slide.
IMO a reasonable, specific concern, but let's face it... the team needs more depth in general, particularly at key positions...
Come to think of it, Utah died when Rising got injured in their bowl game. Yes, we need more than one ace. Jackson would be great out the wildcat with another QB.
So tough to have depth in the transfer portal era.
yes, apparently. Hence, we're getting Jackson, the "depth" at TCU.
Exactly.
Did you see where he did a Bowers Flip?
I’m just looking forward to the fun Samuel Cal Jackson t-shirts.
Let the memes begin!
I love this add, he's tailor made to Spav's RPO system and has been practicing in a similar offense for the last 2 years with Sonny. He's oozing with potential and has 3 YEARS of eligibility with us. He does look pretty raw but god dam the way he runs is closer to Lamar Jackson than Brendon Mccelwein in my humble opinion. As long as he isn't heavily interception prone I don't see how this offense could be worse than last years even without sturdivant
Well, he's completed 100% of his passes so far...
I'm a little worried that he has only attempted one pass from the pocket.
What percentage of Goff or Garbers passes were from the pocket?
Can't pass from a non-existent pocket.
Jared Goff and The Three Alligator Offense.
It's funny, I read somewhere his comp was Goff. Other than small hands and the jersey, I don't see that at all. Not as long as Jackson obviously, but man they are similarly fast and elusive. When we spread these guys out, we could have some really crazy rushing stats on some game days.
Have all 3 backs in the backfield so the defense is watching for 4 potential ball carriers, rofl.
That comp must've been for Jaden Rashada. I've seen him compared to Goff. Jackson is a totally different type of QB.
I think you’re right! That makes more sense.
I was at the 2019 Army/Navy game where Malcolm Perry, as QB, dropped back to pass ~10-15 times but never threw the ball. He'd just wait for things to clear out and then scamper down the field to >300 rushing yards. Sam looks like he could do that too, AND he's got an arm!!!! I am excite!!!
Fantastic get from spavital! So what if he doesn’t have a ton of experience. If cal can secure a few more offensive line pieces, all he would have to do in his first year at the helm is hand the ball off to that three headed monster Cal now has in the backfield and let the playmakers operate in space. Spavital will develop him nicely.
It’s a bummer sturdivant entered the portal because this team offensively is coming together with some really nice pieces. 4 star recruits has to be the standard to compete with the top of the conference assuming the staff can develop these guys based on their rankings out of high school.
Small chance Jmike returns right? Unless that ship was sailed.
Maybe he has a change of heart...... Hope so; such a stud. He could always portal next year if this doesn't work out for him, though now he has more competition for passes.
I've definitely seen people return to their schools from the portal after seeing the landscape, but I think it's rare because of a pride thing. I think there's an element of not wanting to look like nobody else wanted you.
I'd like Martin too, just to create competition.
You read my mind. That QB room at the Southern Branch is getting mighty crowded.
This is the correct answer.
Could there be such a thing as. wildcat with two mobile QBs?
Cal now has the 27th ranked transfer class per 247. https://247sports.com/college/california/Season/2023-Football/Commits/
Roll on....!
We do if you count stars from HS. The reason a lot of these 4* guys are 3* as transfers is because they're also graded on their year(s) in college, and we're generally getting guys that didn't have an insane amount of playing time when looking at Cardwell, Jackson, etc.
What am I missing?
Good news? Absolutely...it is great that they got someone from a P5 as opposed to marginal Sun Belt or C-USA kids, but 6 collegiate passes in his career? Is that a homerun?
It will be interesting to see if the 3rd string QB at TCU is actually the kid that is going to save Justin Wilcox's job, as that is basically what he is being tasked to do...we shall see.
Go Bears...definitely happy to get a QB.
The 3rd stringer who was a Class of 21, sitting behind the clear (and returning) starter and the senior who just led them through essentially the entire season and to the NC game. I think we can reserve judgment on what 3rd stringer status means here. The fact that he was a 4* (no guarantee) and solid dual threat deserves some leeway.
You're entitled to your opinion, Maestro, I just don't share it. That TCU team was garbage last year, and NO one saw this year coming...no one...Dunno if you recall, but TCU had major questions at QB on day 1 between some incredibly mediocre guys, with Jackson never even in the conversation.
I did say I was happy to get a QB, but some are acting like this dude is the missing piece, which is ridiculous. Hopefully he is a stud P12 for the next 3 years, but he's hardly a proven commodity.
I too want to be excited about this, but he could be the second coming of Devon Modster, brilliant in flashes but extremely turnover prone. I don't know how losing one unproven four star--who showed ability to sling the ball in limited playing time--and picking up another unproven four start gets me too excited. I guess I am excited simply because we have added a quarterback after losing two. Maybe we'll add someone like Huard to the mix, or Marshawn will pull some NIL coup and get Rashada to enroll...I hear he may have been eaten by an alligator on the way to campus...that would make me hella excited!
How often do we recruit 4* QBs? The fact that we were able to reload one immediately like this is a good thing whether or not he pans out. And don't forget Spav took Davis Webb and basically forced him onto an NFL roster. He would not have been picked up if it weren't for his 1 year at Cal.
Jackson's new with no prior experience, but history says Spav should at least be able to put together a functional offense and so we should try to trust him until he proves us wrong.
Edit: Also, I doubt we're actually shooting for Huard since Spav is 100% looking for DT QBs. I could see us pushing for Justin Martyn since he's about to get passed up by Dante Moore. I don't know if we want Rashada, he looks like a headache that's just been caught trying to double dip in NIL.
Martyn >>>>>>> RASHADA.
Kai was a 4 star?
247 composite was 4*
https://247sports.com/college/california/Season/2021-Football/Commits/
Okay. Thanks. We lost some good guys there.
The TCU team was garbage last year because of Gary Patterson, who basically ran out of ideas. He knew how to put together a solid defense, but that was about it. Honestly, TCU and Cal's problems were exactly the same; the only difference is that Dykes took over as HC and took advantage of the defense Patterson put together, whereas Wilcox is still here and found the OC version of Dykes.
Not missing any facts, just perspective. Come get shitfaced with us on possibilities, dude!!! It is January, why not?
Fair enough! And I am intrigued…that speed is a game changer!
Part of this general apprehension is just 40 years of Cal fandom beating me down!
Literally the worst 40 years in Cal Football history #RoseBowlBeforeDeath
Fact.
#SunBowlBeforeDeath is my new mantra….
I remember, in the late 70s, chanting, "Rose Bowl, Rose Bowl..." Often that morphed into "Toilet Bowl, Toilet Bowl." I had no idea our drought would linger so long.
^^ This
What experience has taught us...
"[T]his general apprehension is just 40 years of Cal fandom beating me down!"
Because Cal.
All that being said, it would seem that WIlcox is going all in.
I do like this perspective on Cal Football, generally speaking. From the end of the season until reality sets in, during the first third of the CFB season, all we got is irrational optimism, right? It is the currency of Cal Football!
You're not missing anything. We got a high upside (but Brandon McIlwain floor) transfer when we thought we were going to end up with (best case scenario) Zach Maynard 2.0. At least this gives us something to dream about.
We still need depth at the position, and maybe that is all that he provides.
Maybe...2 years worth of garbage time PT in 5 games for a kid down on the depth chart is not too far off from Chandler Rogers...
Love the speed tho. That's a potential game changer.
damn so we got an upgraded Rogers?
All kinds of news. Just got an email from Cal saying we're back with Nike!
J Mike "can I withdraw my name from the portal?"
...anyone know if this is too late?
I don't think it's late. He can contact any school while he's in the portal, but he can return to the same school as well.
Provided they didn't write him off and then use up all scholarship spots by the time he wants back, which I doubt would be the case.
Classes at Berkeley start up next week, so I assume he'd need to re-enroll by then.
Given we got the Tennessee RB (Justin Williams-Thomas) who portaled to 'Furd and then to us, I think the door is open until it closes, or they sign a letter....maybe?
Even after you sign an NLI, you can apply for a release from it and get away with it once without penalty I believe.
It's not, but I think we'd need to pony up for an NIL package of some sort. I had heard that Plummer's leaving kind of decided it for him. Not sure how much Sam Jackson tips things back in our favor.
The transfer portal both gives and takes. The benefit that I love about it is teams can rebuild offensive/defensive sides of the football without taking 3-4 years now.
Oh hellz yes....momentum is really building! RB's, WR and now a 4 Star duel threat QB...we CAN have nice things! Now hopefully this will attract some line talent to support the skill players...be still my racing heart!