Cal is probably a longshot to land this guy but who knows? I haven't heard anything about Trent Ramsey, who was our highly-rated OT recruit last year. Shouldn't he be ready to compete for a starting position?
Rugbear was saying that we do have some talent. A better blocking scheme and coaching should provide improvement though we certainly could use more help.
It just occurred to me that 9 out of 12 starting quarterbacks in the Pac 12 next season will be transfers. I include Cal in that mix because there isn't going to be a true competition for the job. I think that was known but not made public when Jackson signed on here. If he wanted to compete for a job, he would have stayed at TCU. Eight of those nine quarterbacks will be playing with very solid resumes at their previous FBS or FCS schools. The lone exception is Mr. Jackson. How stupid I was yesterday to think that Wilcox and Spavital will bring in another quarterback from the portal.
Me says. Just my opinion after some careful observation of how Wilcox operates. I will be stunned and very happily surprised if another quarterback comes in the portal. I will also be stunned and happily surprised if Mendoza makes a real run at the starting job. Just don't think either will happen.
As negative and pessimistic as I’ve been I actually like this.
What I don’t like is that we still don’t have any semblance of an oline. And our depth at qb is ass. AKA if this dude goes down. Which odds are he probably will being he’s only 5-11 playing behind a dog doo doo o line, then we are stuck with a couple of statues playing behind a dog doo doo oline aka back to Musgrave type crap.
Jackson was number 3 and someone recruited behind him could jump him when it was his turn in a few years. I do think Sonny did point him toward Spav as a good "play now" situation and this was in the works (delayed because TCU made it to the championship). Sonny seems like someone who would care about players even if they're leaving.
Goff was a 4-star. Kline was 4-star out of HS. McIlwain was 4-star.
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.
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.
Sure...but this guy helps that situation, a lot. We have somebody now who is a natural escape and improvise artist. I would be more worried if we had another bean pole pocket passer. Jackson changes the equation.
Also, how many times have we seen the Cal D put an O in 3rd and long, they get great coverage only to be torched by an improvised play outside the pocket. Yeah, we now have that!
I hear ya…for me, the #1 need has always been the trenches, and still is. Cal’s gotten worse on the O line, and has not addressed the lack of a pass rush…they still haven’t gotten to Cam Ward. They were always going to get a QB, be it Chandler Rogers or some CUSA guy on the low end.
Conversely, if we have an O-line like last year, we could have Jared Goff or Aaron Rodgers back there and this team is 4-8. Even with Jackson in the fold now, if the OL and pass rush don’t improve, we’re probably 4-8 regardless.
Getting a QB was good, but one of the worst O-line’s in the P5 actually lost it’s best player…major work left to do.
I feel like the lack of a pass rush is due to the lack of an offensive line. When our expectation is that our defense is on the field for the whole game, we can't gas them by the 4th by having them blitz and apply pressure every down. We need them to pace themselves, which by default makes them worse.
Thanks, Sonny D!
Thanks, Sonny D.
OT Shopping?
This guy just entered the portal.
https://247sports.com/Player/Jacob-Hood-46101757/
Cal is probably a longshot to land this guy but who knows? I haven't heard anything about Trent Ramsey, who was our highly-rated OT recruit last year. Shouldn't he be ready to compete for a starting position?
Rugbear was saying that we do have some talent. A better blocking scheme and coaching should provide improvement though we certainly could use more help.
But we lost a couple of those talents. A nice depth for rotation would be nice.
Exactly. There's some up and coming but some experience would be nice.
Teams can't stash guys on the depth chart forever.
The Portal giveth and takers away-both.
J Mike at FUCLA?!!
Noooo!
Can't be without a Garbers.
Let's get Ethan.
I mean as back up to Jackson
he's got ott like speed
Man, this guy does move fast. Looking at the photo, I see he is already a team captain!
He also is wearing an Under Armour uni. LOL
Just for chuckles
It just occurred to me that 9 out of 12 starting quarterbacks in the Pac 12 next season will be transfers. I include Cal in that mix because there isn't going to be a true competition for the job. I think that was known but not made public when Jackson signed on here. If he wanted to compete for a job, he would have stayed at TCU. Eight of those nine quarterbacks will be playing with very solid resumes at their previous FBS or FCS schools. The lone exception is Mr. Jackson. How stupid I was yesterday to think that Wilcox and Spavital will bring in another quarterback from the portal.
Who says there won’t be another QB transfer or Mendoza won’t challenge the spot ?
Me says. Just my opinion after some careful observation of how Wilcox operates. I will be stunned and very happily surprised if another quarterback comes in the portal. I will also be stunned and happily surprised if Mendoza makes a real run at the starting job. Just don't think either will happen.
this feels like the correct take. We will get another transfer but it will be someone for depth.
As negative and pessimistic as I’ve been I actually like this.
What I don’t like is that we still don’t have any semblance of an oline. And our depth at qb is ass. AKA if this dude goes down. Which odds are he probably will being he’s only 5-11 playing behind a dog doo doo o line, then we are stuck with a couple of statues playing behind a dog doo doo oline aka back to Musgrave type crap.
We need lineman! No way around it.
Also is Brett Johnson done for good?
Awesome, let's hope he's more Pulp Fiction Sam Jackson than he is Snakes on a Plane Sam Jackson, but we'll see
Please no Django Sam Jackson.
"Snip, snip."
If all goes well hopefully students and alums will bring fatheads or signs of him as their favorite Samuel L Jackson characters!
All Sam Jacksons are the best Sam Jacksons.
I'd like Martin too, just to create competition.
Could there be such a thing as. wildcat with two mobile QBs?
You read my mind. That QB room at the Southern Branch is getting mighty crowded.
This is the correct answer.
When was the last time we had a four-star QB?
And a dual threat?
Hell, yeah.
Hey, I gotta' wonder if Sonny steered him our way? Was Jackson the heir-apparent at TCU?
Jackson was number 3 and someone recruited behind him could jump him when it was his turn in a few years. I do think Sonny did point him toward Spav as a good "play now" situation and this was in the works (delayed because TCU made it to the championship). Sonny seems like someone who would care about players even if they're leaving.
Goff was a 4-star. Kline was 4-star out of HS. McIlwain was 4-star.
Good on Sonny to steer him toward Spavital....
Modster was 4 star too
Millner was a 4 star
Garbers was a 4 star
The 247 composite has him as 4-star (97) but just barely under 5-star (98-100). https://247sports.com/Player/Zach-Kline-7475/high-school-5963/
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.
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.
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.
Have all 3 backs in the backfield so the defense is watching for 4 potential ball carriers, rofl.
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.
He had offers from Oregon and Notre Dame, among others.
Isn't O-linemen the biggest need?
Sure...but this guy helps that situation, a lot. We have somebody now who is a natural escape and improvise artist. I would be more worried if we had another bean pole pocket passer. Jackson changes the equation.
Also, how many times have we seen the Cal D put an O in 3rd and long, they get great coverage only to be torched by an improvised play outside the pocket. Yeah, we now have that!
Heck yeah, b*tches!!!!!! (Sorry for the offensive term but it seemed to fit here….)
I guess not anymore if he's just going to run around everyone!
It is NOW.....
It always was…
Once both Plummer and Millner portalled I’d say QB was #1; no need to pass block if no one is passing….
You can run the triple option for a year, but we've seen what happens without an OL.
I hear ya…for me, the #1 need has always been the trenches, and still is. Cal’s gotten worse on the O line, and has not addressed the lack of a pass rush…they still haven’t gotten to Cam Ward. They were always going to get a QB, be it Chandler Rogers or some CUSA guy on the low end.
Conversely, if we have an O-line like last year, we could have Jared Goff or Aaron Rodgers back there and this team is 4-8. Even with Jackson in the fold now, if the OL and pass rush don’t improve, we’re probably 4-8 regardless.
Getting a QB was good, but one of the worst O-line’s in the P5 actually lost it’s best player…major work left to do.
I feel like the lack of a pass rush is due to the lack of an offensive line. When our expectation is that our defense is on the field for the whole game, we can't gas them by the 4th by having them blitz and apply pressure every down. We need them to pace themselves, which by default makes them worse.
Rugbear has said the problem was mostly coaching. In Rugbear we trust.
I’m just looking forward to the fun Samuel Cal Jackson t-shirts.
Let the memes begin!
Jackson has little experience but, he has two years working in a Spav type offense.