Cal Football Wraps Up Practice With Spring Showcase

Not a whole lot of answers but that's not a bad thing right now

OL vs DL. Credit Cal Football

Cal Football is undergoing its biggest year over year transformation in quite some time. From position coaches to players, there are a lot of new faces in new places. Spring practice for the Bears has been fairly methodical, focusing on concepts, installs, and looking at who has been consistent amidst all the turnover.

Saturday’s Spring Showcase didn’t tell us anything definitive about who will start at quarterback or along the offensive line, but that’s not necessarily an issue. In an era where spring games are going by the way side completely, Cal kept the sessions basic for the thousand fans or so that descended on California Memorial Stadium.

Player/Plays of the Day:

Jayden Parker, a local running back product from McClymonds High School in Oakland, took advantage of the snaps he was given in a big way. Parker snatched a defenders ankles enroute to a 40 yard touchdown run that sent the offensive sideline into hysteria. Parker would also go on to punch in another score on a drive later in the scrimmage, a feel good sequence for someone who is on the outside looking in right now in terms of snaps.

Jayden Parker heads into the end zone. Credit Cal Football

Offense

• Currently the offense is in a bit of musical chairs. That’s not necessarily from the perspective that there are mass amount of injuries, but there hasn’t been a consistent set of starters established.

• During the scrimmage portions, Devin Brown would run with the 1’s in terms of skill positions but have the 2’s of the offensive line out there. The same was true for Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele, who had his turn with the 2’s in terms of skill position players but the 1’s with the fellas up front.

  • JKS did a solid job of layering passes over the top, hitting Trond Grizzell in stride for a big gain during 11 on 11. On the other side, Devin Brown showcased his athleticism and wasn’t afraid to step out and extend plays. Both guys need to learn to consistently make the right play in terms of taking what the defense gives them.

• All quarterbacks had their moments but ultimately there isn’t a whole lot separating them. Devin Brown has a slight edge over JKS and EJ Caminong but the job is most definitely up for grabs the second fall camp starts. The first signal caller to display a consistent approach will earn QB1 status.

• Jaivian Thomas looked really spirited out there. The one-two punch of Ott and JET should be formidable.

• The offensive line is still in a bit of flux. Famika Anae is still searching for his best five out there and that job got tougher with Jordan Moko going down with injury during the scrimmage. It’s unknown how long he will be out for but that adds to Nick Morrow and Leon Bell’s absences.

  • Braden Miller, Tyson Ruffins, Lamar Robinson, Sioape Vatikani, and Jordan Moko were running as the first offensive line unit for the bulk of the day.

Defense

• The defensive line group had some nice pressure in pass rush. RJ Stephens did well to find his way into the fold at times along with Jayden Wayne. The Bears will need to add some proven pass rushers out of the portal, there’s definitely some additional juice that’s needed. Outside of Ryan McCulloch (who didn’t suit up today), its a lot of unproven commodities.

• Cade Uluave was out with an injury today but should be back soon according to Justin Wilcox. Hunter Barth and Buom Jock carried the mantle at inside linebacker and did well in keeping the ball in front of them.

• The secondary has had its moments, capped off today with a Jasiah Wagoner pick six of JKS off a tipped screen pass by Aaron Hampton. Khamani Hudson also brought down a pick later in the day. In the back end, the group could use one more proven commodity through the portal as they hit the ground in fall.

• Justin Wilcox stated that eventually there will be a consensus on defensive play calling. With Terrence Brown and Vic So’oto’s elevations to Co-defensive coordinator, there’s now a lot of experience heading into the defensive gameplans. Wilcox also shared that what’s important is what is right, not who is right in this dynamic, emphasizing that the work is done long before someone makes a call from the sheet.

Miscellaneous

• Cal currently has 1 kicker and 1 punter. They are both currently being asked to learn the other discipline as the backup. This room absolutely needs more players in it. Punting was fairly solid today while the kicking game was up and down, as it has been most of spring ball.

• With Coach So’oto’s elevation, Cal currently does not have a Special Teams coordinator. Justin Wilcox said there currently isn’t anything to announce yet on that front but that a determination will eventually be made.

• Jacob De Jesus, the UNLV all purpose player transfer, fits in quite nicely at punt returner. That’s an area that can flip games.

• Cal is far from a finished product. This team is going to take some time to mold itself and lean into its identity. That’s currently not a bad thing but the fluidity on the field has to take some tangible steps by the time fall camp commences.

• I also podcasted about some of my overall thoughts from the Spring Showcase here. Download and save for future episodes.