Incoming Cal Offensive Linemen Adjust To Berkeley Life
A Kent State transfer, a true freshman from Oklahoma and a Mississippi State transfer are all finding their footing on a retooled offensive line.
Kent State transfer Ashton Rivera has hit the ground running after getting first team reps early in spring, and pointed to what Cal brings off the field as the biggest upgrade from his previous stops.
“I’ve been coached well at all the places I’ve been, but I would just say the resources they have available here. Two great O-line coaches and a great GA. Some of the best facilities in the country. The recovery, the food, the nutritionist, all that extra stuff off the field has been more of a benefit than I would have thought beforehand.”
On head coach Tosh Lupoi, Rivera needed a moment to find the right words.
“I don’t know a good word to describe him. He’s very energetic. His energy is contagious. He’ll get us all riled up. I’ve been around a lot of head coaches and I love the fire he’s bringing. I love the kind of program he’s trying to build.”
Mississippi State transfer Jimothy Lewis has been seeing time with the first team and identified pass protection as his calling card.
“I think I’m a better pass blocker. Pass blocking for someone like Jaron, that’s great.”
On the coaching staff, Lewis noticed a different approach from his previous stop.
“They’re more patient here. As far as my last school, it was really no excuses. You already know what you’re doing.”
True freshman Daniel McMorris arrived from Norman, Oklahoma as a four-star prospect and has been adding weight and strength since enrolling early, putting on 10 to 15 pounds already. He described his game simply.
“I’m very agile, long, fast.”
McMorris has leaned on another newcomer, Kahlee Tafai, to learn the ropes.
“I would say he’s like my best friend. I learn from him. Really just showing me how to play the game the right way.”
All three see the line’s chemistry growing quickly, on and off the field.
“We’re building chemistry. We’ve been hanging together outside of the field, building that day in and day out. It’s kind of early, but the chemistry is coming already.”
Jacob Arop had this to say on offenisve line coach Famika Anae.
“He’ll get on you, but then he’ll always say the right things. He’ll motivate you to do more, to do better. When you’re doing better, he’ll always congratulate you on that. He loves what he does and it kind of fires me up. He’s different, different in a good way.”
On coming out for football late:
“I come from a basketball family. I could ask my parents after school every day and they finally gave in on the last day. My mom was like, you get hurt, they were worried about my skinny frame.”
On competing against the defensive line:
“It’s been up and down, just trying to get used to it again. They line up really good. But it’s kind of like iron sharpens iron. The better we get, the better they get.”