Cal Football: The 2022 Recruiting Class Retrospective
Cal Football: The 2022 Recruiting Class Retrospective
Some post-season thoughts and recollections as we turn towards 2023
Now that the transfer window has come and gone for the time being, it’s time to take a look back at the young bucks (and old bucks) from the 2022 recruiting class who made names for themselves last season. From new kids on the block, to stars in the making, to those who are still unproven and look to continue their rise in playing time.
Stars of the show:
RB Jaydn Ott
I mean what else is there to say. Jaydn Ott stormed on to the field this season and immediately made his case to be the starting running back for the Bears. By the time he took the reigns in South Bend, he had tallied 2 100+ yard games. Due to the inconsistencies of the offensive line, his yards per carry and total production dropped as the season went on, but Cal fans had a taste of the next big thing. And he’s certainly all that. Ott rushed for 897 yards in his freshman season along with 8 rushing touchdowns. He also had over 300 receiving yards and 3 receiving touchdowns. Of course he will be remembered for his 274 yard, 3 touchdown outburst against Arizona and rightfully so, but I’m ready to see Ott take his next step as a receiver. That’s where the magic of versatility can show up and show out.
DB Jeremiah Earby
Probably the player that defied expectations the most in his freshman season, Jeremiah Earby was immediately thrown into the fire with several secondary injuries. After a nice interception on a trips formation against UC Davis, it was apparent that Earby had a knack for being in the right spot at the right time. As Lu Magia-Hearns, Isaiah Young, and Collin Gamble all dealt with their respective nicks, it was Earby who stepped up. Earby was tasked with guarding WR1’s on a consistent basis and he continually stepped up to the task. He had a fumble recovery and a scoop and score against Oregon State, had 3 PBU’s against Stanford in the Big Game, each one more important than the last. Earby reminds me of a young Camryn Bynum and I’m excited to continue to see him grow.
I like what I see, show me more
LB Jackson Sirmon
Well Jackson Sirmon made first team all Pac 12 defense. Surely I’m insane and just don’t know anything about anything (well….) but hear me out. Yes Sirmon was the one constant in a rotating linebacker core. Yes he never complained and put on the pads with his best effort. And of course he made plays. Some of the last pieces of the puzzle for Sirmon rely in the details and versatility. I’d like to see better discipline is his containment, especially against RPO schemes like Oregon. I would like to see him plug holes better like Evan Weaver did, think of being active vs reactive. Tackles are great, but when you’re eating them 5-6 yards down field, it loses it’s meaning. And finally, I’d like to see better coverage on tight ends. Sirmon was rarely in coverage but when he was, it a lot of underneath throws and zone beaters that left him out of position. Refine the details and Sirmon will continue to rise.
DE/OLB Xavier Carlton
Xavier Carlton transferred from Utah with a lot to prove. And he certainly showed flashes of who he could be in this defense, but there’s more. Amid a shorthanded and struggling defensive line, it was Carlton and Myles Jernigan that could reliably get pressure on opposing quarterbacks. The man repping #44 totaled 4.5 sacks on the season, 6.5 tackles for loss, and a fumble recovery. Those stats may not pop but I feel like he had a bigger impact than that lets on. What’s next is his run support and to cut down on his penalties. Quite a few times he jumped offsides, so you just naturally have to clean things up.
WR Mason Starling
Hear me out…..Mason Starling and Brian Hightower will lead the charge in replacing J Michael Sturdivant. Now I know Starling only played two games this season but quite frankly he showed up in both of those games. First against Colorado, where just about nothing went right, Starling was a bright spot. After Jeremiah Hunter went down with a shoulder injury, it was Starling who had to step up and that he did in late regulation. He had 3 clutch receptions to setup overtime and would’ve had the game tying touchdown had a Jack Plummer pass made it there in time (I know there’s contention on whether Starling should’ve gone up stronger but that’s all a hypothetical). He had a good start against Washington as well, registering 4 receptions for 49 yards before his season ending injury. Buy Mason Starling stock.
G Sioape Vatikani
The true freshman offensive lineman was my personal favorite from this recruiting class. And he made several plays that continued to give me confidence in his investment. As he came in for Spencer Lovell against Notre Dame, he was immediately put into the action with counter pulls to open up lanes for DeCarlos Brooks. Vatikani followed that up with his first career start against Arizona, becoming the engine of the offensive line that day as Jaydn Ott had a bonzana (cheers to you Joe Starkey). However, the offensive line struggled as the season came to a close and Vatikani was no exception. He needs to handle D1 speed better, but for all that the Cal offensive line went through, Vatikani is the least of the issues. And he was only a true freshman!!! The sky is the limit.
We don’t really know/I have no formed opinion
DL Nate Burrell
OL Trent Ramsey
OLB/DL Curlee Thomas
OL Jackson Brown
WR Jaiven Plummer
DB Cam Sidney
OLB Nunie Tuitele
QB Fernando Mendoza
OLB Odua Isibor
OL Nick Morrow
OL TJ Session
That’s a pretty long list right there. Make no mistake, this isn’t an indictment of anyone’s work ethic or skill. These guys have either not had their time in the sun to shine, or have only gotten so many snaps where we can’t make projections at the moment. People may point to Nate Burrell and TJ Session getting significant snaps over the course of the season but it’s imperative you leave emotional takes out of it especially when it comes to Session.
Offensive and defensive line are not positions you can evaluate in one year unless you turn into someone like Orlando Pace or Cam Jordan. What you get as a freshman is not what you get as a senior. Transfers take time to gel regardless of the situation. Of course it wasn’t ideal when it came to the offensive line, but we are looking with a lens towards the future. Mike Bloesch will have loads of time to work with these offensive linemen in this list and for now, you just have to sit back and unwind.
The I guess we will never really know group
RB Ashton Hayes
QB Jack Plummer
OL Spencer Lovell
DL Henry Ikahihifo
These four players departed the program at the seasons conclusion. Some college football veterans, some young ones. The theme is still the same, you can’t really place a mark one way or the other being that they were only here for a year. Yes, even for Jack Plummer. That may sound odd and misguided for for a 5th year player but when you consider all the moving parts of this season, it’s clear that Plummer’s mark as the Cal quarterback goes as an incomplete. Same goes for the other three players. We saw flashes, and won’t get to ultimately see what the final product is, especially for someone like Ashton Hayes. Goodbyes are tough, but it is so long for these former Golden Bears.
What were your thoughts on the 2022 recruiting class’s impact?
Thanks TD! Awesome write up.
Just need Mason Starling to stay healthy….huge upside, with NFL size. He’s a leading candidate for Cal breakout performer for 2023.
WHEN SELECTING ANYONE FOR RECRUITMENT HOW MUCH ATTENTION IS PAID TO SPEED VS, WEIGHT , DEPENDING ON THE POSITION OF PLAY? ARE YOU CAREFULLY SECTECTIVE BEFORE YOU BECOME COLLECTIVE? HOPEFULLY YOU'LL FIND THE 'RIGHT' GUYS IN IN OUR GOLDEN BEAR STATE!
GERBEAR