Cal lands NC State transfer running back Kendrick Raphael
The Golden Bears are beginning to rebuild their ball carrier room from the ground up.
Cal continues their recovery from losing five running backs in one week to the transfer portal, including their top runners Jaydn Ott and Jaivian Thomas. They started the rebuild yesterday by grabbing UTSA running back Brandon High. They have their second running back from within the ACC, landing NC State runner Kendrick Raphael.
Raphael was third on the Wolfpack last year in rushing with 425 yards on 78 carries (6.5 yards per attempt) and three touchdowns. Combined with High’s 495 yards, the Bears have replaced 90% of the rushing production that Ott and Thomas generated last season. Raphael also caught 10 passes for 41 yards.
With Jamaal Wiley and Anthony League already in place along with Jayden Parker and Dean Taylor-Chapman, Cal has the semblance of a running back room for new coach Julian Griffin. It probably could use one more transfer, but there is enough to work with to have a workable running back room, perhaps by committee rather than a clear hierarchy of RB1/RB2.
Welcome to Cal Kendrick! Go Bears!
Seems decent. Maybe not Ott and Jet level, but can get yards if the OL performs. It's unfair to players transferring in if I dwell on who we lost. I'm trying to look at what they bring, not who they replace.
We do have to remember that Cal running yards included some incredible individual efforts to avoid sacks when comparing stats. If our OL is truly better, we can match production. If not, then our running game will struggle even if Marshawn was back there.
I loved the excitement of Ott, but he was definitely not “3 yards and a cloud of dust” (credit Woody Hayes). These kind of RBs may be best for the grinding approach of Wilcox, and the open offense if the new OC. Many times over past 3-4 years we gave failed to gain the 3rd or 4th and 1-2. But what do I know.