OSU alum who grew up in Berkeley here: I would put Devin Brown somewhere between Riley Leonard and Will Howard. I expect him to be better passer with a stronger arm than Riley Leonard, but he has the mentality of a running QB even though that was seldom very successful. He hasn't yet had the patience to be a successful pocket passer, which may be why he lost out to McCord and then Howard the past two years. The Devin Brown development plan should be something like: start the season with a lot of quick-developing routes, and then gradually mix in the deep balls. Make sure he develops the habit to get the ball out quickly. If/when he is comfortable sitting in the pocket, then the QB run becomes a stronger weapon.
I really don't buy the idea that starting a freshman QB is ideal. Devin Brown has many more year processing the complexity of the college game. He is injury-prone with all the running, however, so it's likely we'll see JKS thrown in every so often. But best case is Devin Brown succeeding. He should be the best-prepared transfer QB at Cal since Davis Webb and maybe second only to Webb in recent memory.
Said this on Reddit, but also should add something about Devin Brown's personality: super fiery guy and definitely self-confident (but not to the point of arrogance). He was almost comically pumped up when he came in for Howard in the Michigan State game. I think he shares that with Mendoza.
If Cal strings together some wins, he'll be easy for the fanbase to embrace I think.
Nate, do you consider Devin Brown to be a running QB? 30 career totes for 37 yards doesn’t scream dual threat, even with end-of-game kneel downs in victory formation factored in. That effort v Mizzou in the Cotton Bowl was disappointing, and the limited reps really doesn’t give him much of an experience edge.
Some true FR are ready to go, especially early-enrollees. Devin Brown’s experience edge is less than Jack Plummer’s.
Game experience certainly less than Plummer. But he has three years of experience of practice reps against a bunch of NFL-caliber fast dudes, learning alongside Stroud, McCord, and Howard and beating out supposed phenom Julian Sayin (and another 5-star Air Noland) for the backup role this year after being the backup last year. That's also three years of working on his footwork, throwing mechanics, and reads, and two years of game prep as the backup. In my admittedly biased opinion, that should make him better prepared than Plummers' 13 starts at Purdue. Many would disagree.
The quarterback room under Ryan Day at OSU has also had Fields, Haskins, Burrow, and JT Barrett. He had to have shown something to earn the #2 spot. There's not a lot on the tape to go by, so that's the strongest point on his resume.
At the very least Devin Brown knows what "high-level college" open is, as opposed to "high school open".
Not saying he is, or should be, a running or dual-threat QB, but that is how he played. Look at the proportion of rushes: 48 career passing attempts vs. 30 career rushing attempts. Even factoring kneel downs, it's a lot. There was a short-yardage / red-zone Devin Brown package in the McCord year because McCord was a near-zero running threat, a la Chandler Rodgers short yardage package at Cal this year. The package wasn't used that much though, because DB got injured.
Yeah, I never really saw much fast twitch running ability. He doesn't seem to have that much speed. Hence the Riley Leonard comparison: dual threat QB who isn't that fast but maybe strong enough to get decent chunks of yard especially in the read zone.
It’s just the comment about DB being injury prone with all the running…he’s a pro-style guy, and a 1.2 career YPC doesn’t scream mobility, especially with LB-size.
Cant argue with him being in a legit program for 3 seasons. Again, I didn’t spend a lot of time watching the end of tOSU blowouts…I DID watch that Cotton Bowl v Mizzou and was disappointed in Brown, mostly in his processing, as he really struggled to read what the Tigers were doing defensively…admittedly in a small sample size.
Now this is big news! This certainly creates more competition for the QB1 spot.
Losing Mendoza sucks, but I think we may have, on balance, increased the overall talent level of our QB room. Kudos to our coaching staff.
PRAYING that our OL upgrades will translate into results. That seems more likely to represent the QB performance ceiling (and development) instead pure talent.
Not sure about this one because I have no idea of his skills. But that being said he was the backup to the national champion so his talent must be respected and he will push for the number one spot
Damn you know he sucks if his old fans have nothing but best wishes and encouragements for him. Especially coming from possibly the most toxic and dimwitted fanbase in the country.
I attended a Cal game at Ohio State several years ago, and the fans were incredibly knowledgeable and gracious—easily the best I’ve encountered at any venue.
Whoever wins the starting job this year, as long as we can keep him for two years, I would be happy. Worst case is one wins job, the backup transfers off season, and the starter also transfers to a bigger program after a successful season.
This is awesome. He has some great upside and a solid enough floor to manage the offense. I don't think they are bringing him for a competition. I think they fully expect him to start week one.
Curious what this means for JKS. Did he know this or is he now regretting his choice? Hope it's all OK with everyone and that the right hand knows what the left hand is doing.
Not sure how JKS looks at it but I would think that having a talented and more experienced guy next to you would be a plus in terms of player development. QBs also routinely get pummeled, so you definitely need more than one capable person or the whole team suffers. At Cal, at least JKS has the opportunity to compete for the starting spot and a good shot at getting it (or at west back up duty if/when QB1 goes down), whereas at Oregon he would have been further down the pecking order.
Hoping for a breakdown of his skills and talents. Kinda like buying a BMW motorcycle, the brand is good, but the bike itself may have gremlins. I'm impressed the young man chose Cal, and wonder whether we have deeper pockets or he is more a true Bear at heart?
I would have expected a bit more excitement here! He is QB2 of the National Champion team! He knows about a winning culture and attitude and has been battling against the best in the country. How can you not like this?! So excited that we have him and Jaron. Go bears!
OSU alum who grew up in Berkeley here: I would put Devin Brown somewhere between Riley Leonard and Will Howard. I expect him to be better passer with a stronger arm than Riley Leonard, but he has the mentality of a running QB even though that was seldom very successful. He hasn't yet had the patience to be a successful pocket passer, which may be why he lost out to McCord and then Howard the past two years. The Devin Brown development plan should be something like: start the season with a lot of quick-developing routes, and then gradually mix in the deep balls. Make sure he develops the habit to get the ball out quickly. If/when he is comfortable sitting in the pocket, then the QB run becomes a stronger weapon.
I really don't buy the idea that starting a freshman QB is ideal. Devin Brown has many more year processing the complexity of the college game. He is injury-prone with all the running, however, so it's likely we'll see JKS thrown in every so often. But best case is Devin Brown succeeding. He should be the best-prepared transfer QB at Cal since Davis Webb and maybe second only to Webb in recent memory.
Said this on Reddit, but also should add something about Devin Brown's personality: super fiery guy and definitely self-confident (but not to the point of arrogance). He was almost comically pumped up when he came in for Howard in the Michigan State game. I think he shares that with Mendoza.
If Cal strings together some wins, he'll be easy for the fanbase to embrace I think.
Nate, do you consider Devin Brown to be a running QB? 30 career totes for 37 yards doesn’t scream dual threat, even with end-of-game kneel downs in victory formation factored in. That effort v Mizzou in the Cotton Bowl was disappointing, and the limited reps really doesn’t give him much of an experience edge.
Some true FR are ready to go, especially early-enrollees. Devin Brown’s experience edge is less than Jack Plummer’s.
Game experience certainly less than Plummer. But he has three years of experience of practice reps against a bunch of NFL-caliber fast dudes, learning alongside Stroud, McCord, and Howard and beating out supposed phenom Julian Sayin (and another 5-star Air Noland) for the backup role this year after being the backup last year. That's also three years of working on his footwork, throwing mechanics, and reads, and two years of game prep as the backup. In my admittedly biased opinion, that should make him better prepared than Plummers' 13 starts at Purdue. Many would disagree.
The quarterback room under Ryan Day at OSU has also had Fields, Haskins, Burrow, and JT Barrett. He had to have shown something to earn the #2 spot. There's not a lot on the tape to go by, so that's the strongest point on his resume.
At the very least Devin Brown knows what "high-level college" open is, as opposed to "high school open".
Cool!! Ok, nice. Should be a quality QB room.
Especially if JS doesn't portal now that Brown is here
It sounds like he's saying he doesn't see Devin to be a running QB, but Devin might think he is.
Not saying he is, or should be, a running or dual-threat QB, but that is how he played. Look at the proportion of rushes: 48 career passing attempts vs. 30 career rushing attempts. Even factoring kneel downs, it's a lot. There was a short-yardage / red-zone Devin Brown package in the McCord year because McCord was a near-zero running threat, a la Chandler Rodgers short yardage package at Cal this year. The package wasn't used that much though, because DB got injured.
Yeah, I never really saw much fast twitch running ability. He doesn't seem to have that much speed. Hence the Riley Leonard comparison: dual threat QB who isn't that fast but maybe strong enough to get decent chunks of yard especially in the read zone.
Awesome!! Great intel.
Thanks dude!!!
It’s just the comment about DB being injury prone with all the running…he’s a pro-style guy, and a 1.2 career YPC doesn’t scream mobility, especially with LB-size.
Cant argue with him being in a legit program for 3 seasons. Again, I didn’t spend a lot of time watching the end of tOSU blowouts…I DID watch that Cotton Bowl v Mizzou and was disappointed in Brown, mostly in his processing, as he really struggled to read what the Tigers were doing defensively…admittedly in a small sample size.
This is great info!
Patience hasn't been a virtue behind our OL. But we'll see if personnel and coaching changes can help with both QB performance and development.
Now this is big news! This certainly creates more competition for the QB1 spot.
Losing Mendoza sucks, but I think we may have, on balance, increased the overall talent level of our QB room. Kudos to our coaching staff.
PRAYING that our OL upgrades will translate into results. That seems more likely to represent the QB performance ceiling (and development) instead pure talent.
Potentially huge!
Not sure about this one because I have no idea of his skills. But that being said he was the backup to the national champion so his talent must be respected and he will push for the number one spot
Backup QB on a national championship caliber team did not work out last time, but hopefully it works this time
This one may actually be a quarterback rather than a slot receiver masquerading as one!!
;-)
Damn you know he sucks if his old fans have nothing but best wishes and encouragements for him. Especially coming from possibly the most toxic and dimwitted fanbase in the country.
I attended a Cal game at Ohio State several years ago, and the fans were incredibly knowledgeable and gracious—easily the best I’ve encountered at any venue.
We met a lot of nice fans at that OSU away game, but we also met fans who asked if we played our home games at the Coliseum.
On paper, offense looks much improved. I can't bet against Harsin and Rolo, they got an upside track record. Lets see what spring ball looks like..
Now I want to hear some coaching staff news.
We have more coaches than we are allowed to have right now.
Do we? I'm only curious where Bloesch is going. Haven't heard anything on him. Are there other extras hanging about?
We still have Gilbert
Unless he quietly left without us noticing
Also Aristotle Thompson is rumored to be going to northwestern
Excellent news! He was highly rated out of High School. Hopefully, he can deliver. It is good to have options and competition. GO BEARS!
Finally!!
Hmmm. Jury still out. Ideally JKS wins the job from day 1.
I guess my biggest concern is Wilcox’s track record of botching his QB personnel. Hopefully Harsin/Rolo take lead on this decision.
Cal fans: No doubt this is a huge addition but I have one question: If he gets the starting job, will Sagatopulele stick around? Or vice versa?
Whoever wins the starting job this year, as long as we can keep him for two years, I would be happy. Worst case is one wins job, the backup transfers off season, and the starter also transfers to a bigger program after a successful season.
That was my worry and thought as well.
I doubt it
2121 senior season:
254/372, 68%
4881 Yds, 57 TDs, Utah single season record
451 Yds Rushing, 8 TDS
Sorry, 2021.
This is awesome. He has some great upside and a solid enough floor to manage the offense. I don't think they are bringing him for a competition. I think they fully expect him to start week one.
Curious what this means for JKS. Did he know this or is he now regretting his choice? Hope it's all OK with everyone and that the right hand knows what the left hand is doing.
JKS knew and will not transfer if he is QB2 this year. DB could easily transfer in the spring if he is not looking like QB1 IMO
Not sure how JKS looks at it but I would think that having a talented and more experienced guy next to you would be a plus in terms of player development. QBs also routinely get pummeled, so you definitely need more than one capable person or the whole team suffers. At Cal, at least JKS has the opportunity to compete for the starting spot and a good shot at getting it (or at west back up duty if/when QB1 goes down), whereas at Oregon he would have been further down the pecking order.
He just entered the transfer portal
Tito, don't tease...
Hoping for a breakdown of his skills and talents. Kinda like buying a BMW motorcycle, the brand is good, but the bike itself may have gremlins. I'm impressed the young man chose Cal, and wonder whether we have deeper pockets or he is more a true Bear at heart?
Awesome, I didn't think he'd come here after #Caloha. Great pickup to fill out the QB room.
I would have expected a bit more excitement here! He is QB2 of the National Champion team! He knows about a winning culture and attitude and has been battling against the best in the country. How can you not like this?! So excited that we have him and Jaron. Go bears!