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BTown85's avatar

Mendoza gives a great interview. Put that kid in front of the cameras any day. Even his cliche answers didn't come across as rote or rehearsed. Go Bears!

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KetamineCal's avatar

I remember being impressed by his swagger and intelligence when he arrived. Really hoping he develops into a starting-caliber QB (or, better yet, a NFL QB as he predicted for himself).

I think Jackson will be the guy this year but would love to see Mendoza as a 1B, especially given the injury risk to a dual threat QB behind a questionable OL.

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BTown85's avatar

Right; there was that video of him and Mick.....er, Mike Luckhurst on their first day of classes; Mendoza was hilarious!!!!

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concernedparent's avatar

Kinda like Zach Kline, who was very popular with the team. Seems like Mendoza's QB star will rise further than Zach's though.

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Rugbear's avatar

Zach got on the wrong side of Sonny Dykes, unfortunately. That comeback Spring game Zach completely outplayed any of his competitors and still got skunked by Dykes. I was sorry to see that happen. Maybe his longer hair and guitar playing ways did not sit right with the Coach from Texas.

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concernedparent's avatar

To be fair once Davis Webb transferred in it was all over for everyone in that QB room.

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Justbear's avatar

You are off by 3 years

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concernedparent's avatar

No. Zach Kline came back during the spring of 2016, played really well in the spring game. Webb transferred in a month or so later and Zach transferred to Fresno State.

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Justbear's avatar

Ohh that time.

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Justbear's avatar

Nah it was clear come fall that true freshman Goff was better, and what a stud Goff turned out to be.

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Rugbear's avatar

In the end you are correct. Goff was and still is a stud.

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Justbear's avatar

Dykes made many mistakes but that was the best decision he made in my mind, to play Goff.

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mrjpark's avatar

Did he, though? I think Dykes made 2 major mistakes, and both of them were the DCs he hired. We now know in hindsight that his talent evaluation is actually pretty top notch, considering our offensive output with him and and our defensive output after him but with his recruits.

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Justbear's avatar

IIRC his clock management was terrible too especially in the second half.

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mrjpark's avatar

Ah, yeah. Not an excuse for him, but I always figured that to just be a downside to the Bear Raid. They didn't know how to really add a run game, which led to infuriating 4th quarters...but you're also asking for that with an Air Raid system. We took full advantage of the downsides with Wilcox against Leach.

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CalBear91's avatar

So true. He's a ray of sunshine and reminds me of Evan Weaver if Evan were on ecstasy or something. Energetic, believing, hungry. I really miss Evan Weaver. I hope Nando continues to shine. I see a type of greatness in him. He has the measurables. Jackson is great too, just a more typical QB interview. If he can get his % on broken plays up to where the INT ratio is below the TD ratio, we have a star in him.

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Rugbear's avatar

Wilcox has stated that before his playing days at CAL are done that Mendoza will be a CAL QB.

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CalBear91's avatar

Well technically he's a Cal QB now so I'm guessing he or you mean he will be a starter? No matter who we bring in, it is likely Nando will get some snaps from injury to others if nothing else. I'm a student of leadership, and that kid has some traits that are hard to find.

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Rugbear's avatar

I meant he will be the starter. Coaches can never say that they can just imply it. Wilcox like Mendoza (for good reason) and is obviously impressed with his progress. I remember when people on this site were down on him because he was 'just' a 2* QB out of high school. I looked at his size and then watched his film and was very impressed. He had a great arm and could make all the throws. I think the reason he was rated so low is because he played in a league of small schools. Fernando is the real deal and I fully expect him to be a really good QB for us as he continues to grow into the role.

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