Talking about former Cal RBs greats and transfers, shades of Marc Hicks, who transferred to another big name midwestern program, tOSU... He would have done really well had he stayed at Cal under coach Snyder, who took over from Kapp on his sophomore year and rebuilt the O-line and rushing game under Dan Cozzetto, one of the top OL coaches we've had in our program.

https://www.upi.com/Archives/1987/01/31/Sophomore-running-back-Marc-Hicks-is-leaving-the-University/3181539067600/#google_vignette

https://www.sfgate.com/sports/kroichick/article/career-gone-awry-former-cal-rb-not-bitter-about-2873009.php



Incidentally, coach Cozzetto passed just a few weeks ago at age 70 - RIP
https://govandals.com/news/2025/8/5/football-idaho-mourns-passing-of-dan-cozzetto.aspx

Where does Jahvid fall on your list compared to Ott?

sycasey said:

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Yeah, Vereen especially could be very shifty in tight spaces and had more power than Ott. He was also more dangerous as a receiver, though part of that just might be the offense we were running.

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Nah, Vereen was a legitimately awesome receiver. Big part of him sticking with the Pats for so long.

Cal88 said:

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Talking about former Cal RBs greats and transfers, shades of Marc Hicks, who transferred to another big name midwestern program, tOSU... He would have done really well had he stayed at Cal under coach Snyder, who took over from Kapp on his sophomore year and rebuilt the O-line and rushing game under Dan Cozzetto, one of the top OL coaches we've had in our program.

https://www.upi.com/Archives/1987/01/31/Sophomore-running-back-Marc-Hicks-is-leaving-the-University/3181539067600/#google_vignette

https://www.sfgate.com/sports/kroichick/article/career-gone-awry-former-cal-rb-not-bitter-about-2873009.php



Incidentally, coach Cozzetto passed just a few weeks ago at age 70 - RIP
https://govandals.com/news/2025/8/5/football-idaho-mourns-passing-of-dan-cozzetto.aspx

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I had such high hopes for Hicks and I was at the memorable SC game. Oh what might have been

Go Bears

HairOfTheBear said:

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CALiforniALUM said:

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Where does Jahvid fall on your list compared to Ott?

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Boy when Jah would hit the hole or turn the corner, pffft, lights out. Bro was gone... His speed was different. If the defense didn't slow him at the line then it was trouble because he would get up to full speed so quickly. Personally, I can't put Ott even close to Jahvid.

Unfortunately, I happened to be on the field, really close to the spot where Jahvid landed on his head and neck vs OSU. It was like slow motion and the instant you could tell his body was floating in a way that he couldn't land safely, in my head, maybe out loud, I yelled noooooooooo. Changed the season and changed his life I think. His football life anyway. So scary.

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I was at the game with my ma in the opposite endzone, she's another Cal grad and longtime football fan. She immediately said "omg he's knocked out and done" I told her she was being pessimistic because she had been around Cal football for too long but I saw it and was just being hopeful because that's the way I am. It was nasty. The only one I personally saw that was similar was a guy (I don't remember his name but he was the brother of another Cal teammate at the time) get blindsided and laid out on a kickoff and he was down for several minutes, then he got up to walk off the field with help and he collapsed again.

Also to grrrah: Shane Vereen was a great receiving back, if I remember right he had 11 receptions in a Patriots Super Bowl win

Cal88 said:

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Talking about former Cal RBs greats and transfers, shades of Marc Hicks, who transferred to another big name midwestern program, tOSU... He would have done really well had he stayed at Cal under coach Snyder, who took over from Kapp on his sophomore year and rebuilt the O-line and rushing game under Dan Cozzetto, one of the top OL coaches we've had in our program.

https://www.upi.com/Archives/1987/01/31/Sophomore-running-back-Marc-Hicks-is-leaving-the-University/3181539067600/#google_vignette

https://www.sfgate.com/sports/kroichick/article/career-gone-awry-former-cal-rb-not-bitter-about-2873009.php



Incidentally, coach Cozzetto passed just a few weeks ago at age 70 - RIP
https://govandals.com/news/2025/8/5/football-idaho-mourns-passing-of-dan-cozzetto.aspx

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A decent "what might have been," but Snyder had a commitment from a future Heisman RB to come to Cal...doesn't get much to be a much bigger "what if" than that.
Good Cozzetto note, and, just to add, Cal has had a few good O-line coaches. Not surprising, they consistently had O-line draft picks around that time, the Gold Standard being a first and second rounders in the 1994 Draft. A second rounder in '92 and a first '97 definitely set up incredible run of the Cal O-line.

Bearly Clad said:

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HairOfTheBear said:

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CALiforniALUM said:

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Where does Jahvid fall on your list compared to Ott?

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Boy when Jah would hit the hole or turn the corner, pffft, lights out. Bro was gone... His speed was different. If the defense didn't slow him at the line then it was trouble because he would get up to full speed so quickly. Personally, I can't put Ott even close to Jahvid.

Unfortunately, I happened to be on the field, really close to the spot where Jahvid landed on his head and neck vs OSU. It was like slow motion and the instant you could tell his body was floating in a way that he couldn't land safely, in my head, maybe out loud, I yelled noooooooooo. Changed the season and changed his life I think. His football life anyway. So scary.

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I was at the game with my ma in the opposite endzone, she's another Cal grad and longtime football fan. She immediately said "omg he's knocked out and done" I told her she was being pessimistic because she had been around Cal football for too long but I saw it and was just being hopeful because that's the way I am. It was nasty. The only one I personally saw that was similar was a guy (I don't remember his name but he was the brother of another Cal teammate at the time) get blindsided and laid out on a kickoff and he was down for several minutes, then he got up to walk off the field with help and he collapsed again.

Also to grrrah: Shane Vereen was a great receiving back, if I remember right he had 11 receptions in a Patriots Super Bowl win

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Sounds like your Mom knew what she was talking about.

As for the knock out(s) you might be confusing the Bosworth twins from Ucla one of whom got knocked out by Thomas DeCoud, who, also knocked himself out. But it was one of the Bosworth's, not a Cal player, that tumbled down again whilst his twin stood by helplessly.

Fast forward to the 1:38 mark where it is shown in depth:

HairOfTheBear said:

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CALiforniALUM said:

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Where does Jahvid fall on your list compared to Ott?

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Boy when Jah would hit the hole or turn the corner, pffft, lights out. Bro was gone... His speed was different. If the defense didn't slow him at the line then it was trouble because he would get up to full speed so quickly. Personally, I can't put Ott even close to Jahvid.

Unfortunately, I happened to be on the field, really close to the spot where Jahvid landed on his head and neck vs OSU. It was like slow motion and the instant you could tell his body was floating in a way that he couldn't land safely, in my head, maybe out loud, I yelled noooooooooo. Changed the season and changed his life I think. His football life anyway. So scary.

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I remember seeing the play on TV. I was happy to see he wasn't seriously injured. However, I couldn't help but think that Cal football (and basketball) players really should cross train in judo. We have judo classes and even a judo club at Cal. One of the first things taught in judo is how to fall without injury*, including by tucking the chin so the faller doesn't hit his head.

*I've taken falls from around 15 feet off the ground in the judo room and walked away completely unscathed.

Bobodeluxe said:

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HairOfTheBear said:

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CALiforniALUM said:

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Where does Jahvid fall on your list compared to Ott?

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Boy when Jah would hit the hole or turn the corner, pffft, lights out. Bro was gone... His speed was different. If the defense didn't slow him at the line then it was trouble because he would get up to full speed so quickly. Personally, I can't put Ott even close to Jahvid.

Unfortunately, I happened to be on the field, really close to the spot where Jahvid landed on his head and neck vs OSU. It was like slow motion and the instant you could tell his body was floating in a way that he couldn't land safely, in my head, maybe out loud, I yelled noooooooooo. Changed the season and changed his life I think. His football life anyway. So scary.

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That's why these young men should get every penny they can. Disposable mannequins.

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yeah no kidding

01Bear said:

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HairOfTheBear said:

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CALiforniALUM said:

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Where does Jahvid fall on your list compared to Ott?

---

Boy when Jah would hit the hole or turn the corner, pffft, lights out. Bro was gone... His speed was different. If the defense didn't slow him at the line then it was trouble because he would get up to full speed so quickly. Personally, I can't put Ott even close to Jahvid.

Unfortunately, I happened to be on the field, really close to the spot where Jahvid landed on his head and neck vs OSU. It was like slow motion and the instant you could tell his body was floating in a way that he couldn't land safely, in my head, maybe out loud, I yelled noooooooooo. Changed the season and changed his life I think. His football life anyway. So scary.

---

I remember seeing the play on TV. I was happy to see he wasn't seriously injured. However, I couldn't help but think that Cal football (and basketball) players really should cross train in judo. We have judo classes and even a judo club at Cal. One of the first things taught in judo is how to fall without injury*, including by tucking the chin so the faller doesn't hit his head.

*I've taken falls from around 15 feet off the ground in the judo room and walked away completely unscathed.

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I think there is a big difference, he was hit again in mid air by huge human being while on his descent and threw his body it a very awkward flight pattern. It flung his feet way up into the air above his head and that was it I personally don't think any training could have prevented that altering impact.

That said, the way he jumped was ill advised and maybe that's where better training might have helped.

HairOfTheBear said:

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01Bear said:

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HairOfTheBear said:

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CALiforniALUM said:

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Where does Jahvid fall on your list compared to Ott?

---

Boy when Jah would hit the hole or turn the corner, pffft, lights out. Bro was gone... His speed was different. If the defense didn't slow him at the line then it was trouble because he would get up to full speed so quickly. Personally, I can't put Ott even close to Jahvid.

Unfortunately, I happened to be on the field, really close to the spot where Jahvid landed on his head and neck vs OSU. It was like slow motion and the instant you could tell his body was floating in a way that he couldn't land safely, in my head, maybe out loud, I yelled noooooooooo. Changed the season and changed his life I think. His football life anyway. So scary.

---

I remember seeing the play on TV. I was happy to see he wasn't seriously injured. However, I couldn't help but think that Cal football (and basketball) players really should cross train in judo. We have judo classes and even a judo club at Cal. One of the first things taught in judo is how to fall without injury*, including by tucking the chin so the faller doesn't hit his head.

*I've taken falls from around 15 feet off the ground in the judo room and walked away completely unscathed.

---

I think there is a big difference, he was hit again in mid air by huge human being while on his descent and threw his body it a very awkward flight pattern. It flung his feet way up into the air above his head and that was it I personally don't think any training could have prevented that altering impact.

That said, the way he jumped was ill advised and maybe that's where better training might have helped.

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Yes and no. Training would help him land properly. (If you've ever watched international judo competitions, you'll see people launched from all sorts of angles and fall safely, due in part to the thrower and in part to their own training). It would still be a really hard landing, obviously. But the damage he sustained would likely be lessened.

That said, in rewatching the video, I'm not sure he actually struck his head on the ground. I need more angles of the fall to see exactly when and how he struck his head. I honestly wonder if his helmet was more of a cause of injury than a preventer in this particular instance.

This is how it's done safely.

I'm not watching the game but the Box score for the Oklahoma game says 10 minutes left in the 3rd quarter and Ott doesn't even have a touch yet.

DonnieMcCleskey said:

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I'm not watching the game but the Box score for the Oklahoma game says 10 minutes left in the 3rd quarter and Ott doesn't even have a touch yet.

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he was fully dressed and participated in pregame warmups but there was talk about his shoulder and not wanting to take a risk.

1 carry -3 yards.

The greatest Bowers to ever play college football. And no, I refuse to let any relevant facts impact my opinion on this one

Jaron: 2 carries for 30 yards
Jaydn Ott & Jaivian Thomas combined: 8 carries for 14 yards

Nice job guys.

— Ghost (@GhostofGarbers) August 31, 2025

Yikes!

They need new OL's