We go into Spring Ball next month with 4 contenders for the coveted job of quarterback in a Bear Raid offense (plus one arriving in fall).

Lead Candidate - Chase Forrest actually has some reps in game time and he looked decent. He also has great hair. Reminds me of a young Morrissey.
Underdog - Can Ross Bowers come from the scout team to take the job? He also has really good hair. Reminds me of a young Tom Cruise.
Prodigal Son - Can Luke Rubenzer return from the safety position to win the job many thought he owned a year ago at this time? His hair is fine. Dead ringer for Johnny Manziel.
Dark Horse - Max Gilliam - Is enrolled and will be competing this spring. Will be tough for him to come in and win but you never know. His hair is also fine. Like a young Heath Ledger.
Longshot - Vicous Vic Viramontes will be arriving in the fall so it would be a big shock for him to win. His hair says Uncle Rico but the rest of him says the Rock. Can't wait to see what this kid can do on the field.

EDIT - As SonofCalVa notes on page 5 of this thread, Vicious Vic is a dead ringer for Joe Kapp. Things are lookin' up!

Because Vic is so physically gifted, I think he could jump into the starting role. That intangible of getting that critical 1st down because you can run also opens up lanes for receivers. See Can Newton dominate in NFL this year. That QB we played vs Texas same thing.

dajo9;842643914 said:

---

We go into Spring Ball next month with 4 contenders for the coveted job of quarterback in a Bear Raid offense (plus one arriving in fall).

Lead Candidate - Chase Forrest actually has some reps in game time and he looked decent. He also has great hair. Reminds me of a young Morrissey.
Underdog - Can Ross Bowers come from the scout team to take the job? He also has really good hair. Reminds me of a young Tom Cruise.
Prodigal Son - Can Luke Rubenzer return from the safety position to win the job many thought he owned a year ago at this time? His hair is fine. Dead ringer for Johnny Manziel.
Dark Horse - Max Gilliam - Is enrolled and will be competing this spring. Will be tough for him to come in and win but you never know. More mediocre hair. Like a young Heath Ledger.
Longshot - Vicous Vic Viramontes will be arriving in the fall so it would be a big shock for him to win. His hair says Uncle Rico but the rest of him says the Rock. Can't wait to see what this kid can do on the field.

---

I can't be the only one to notice that, if Rube returns to qb and Vic gives qb a go, might we have a question re the style of qb play (2 dual threat guys and 2 to 3 drop back types)? Should be interesting to see how things shake out this spring.

It is going to be Chase with either Vic or Luke playing the 2014 Benz role.

Nothing that a little of this can't fix:

Chase.

I cast my speculative vote with Ross. I think he might be most talented thrower on the roster and he has had some time to s&c and get adjusted to college. Maybe 2 headed QB with Luke or Vic or Gilliam running.

For those saying Chase, is that based on something more than watching him complete some passes against Grambling State?

If Tedford were coach I would completely agree with you but Dykes is not afraid to go the unconventional route.

Be interesting if there's room for Luke considering the new ones (who will 'shirt) but it seems he might have been promised another shot at QB. One thing is for certain about Luke: he's a baller who gave his all for the Team and did okay. Kudos to Luke and hope he's on the field because he earns new playing time at whatever position.

As to Vic, his film showed undersized DBs tripping, falling over their heels trying to get out of his way, not even close enough to try a feeble arm tackle. He was 240 playing against little kids. He's now in D1 practicing against a D1 D, vastly improved, and will be competing with well-qualified competition at QB.

dajo9;842643939 said:

---

For those saying Chase, is that based on something more than watching him complete some passes against Grambling State?

If Tedford were coach I would completely agree with you but Dykes is not afraid to go the unconventional route.

---

If open competition for all spots is 'unconventional', good on Dykes.
OL competition, no f'g VS, will be intense, which is the other big variable for O.
WR is not an issue ... talent and different skill sets ... and experienced returnees.

SonOfCalVa;842643942 said:

---

If open competition for all spots is 'unconventional', good on Dykes.
OL competition, no f'g VS, will be intense, which is the other big variable for O.
WR is not an issue ... talent and different skill sets ... and experienced returnees.

---

Only you could take a positive thing I said about Dykes and make it sound like I had criticized him.

dajo9;842643946 said:

---

Only you could take a positive thing I said about Dykes and make it sound like I had criticized him.

---

my bad if that's how it came through ... sorry, it was a positive.

I'm going with Chase. Possibly Gilliam.

dajo9;842643939 said:

---

For those saying Chase, is that based on something more than watching him complete some passes against Grambling State?

If Tedford were coach I would completely agree with you but Dykes is not afraid to go the unconventional route.

---

I would imagine Chase is ahead due to the fact that he was the back up. Now maybe he (Coach) has a different criteria to be the starter, but I doubt it. With that, August is a long way away and if it is not Chase, hopefully it someone who just kicked so much @ss, he could not be left off the field.

QB is a crap shoot. Sometimes you come up snake eyes. Could be the only thing holding back our friends from across the Bay.

Spring practice in 32 days.

I love that people that used to defend the vertical set are now being forced to condemn it, but what can I say - cognitive dissonance from true believers is entertaining.

dajo9;842643939 said:

---

For those saying Chase, is that based on something more than watching him complete some passes against Grambling State?

If Tedford were coach I would completely agree with you but Dykes is not afraid to go the unconventional route.

---

Saw him in Spring Practice last year and he looked good. I also recall Sonny saying during the season that he looked good.

This is not going to be an easy situation. If I read the roster correctly we will have 8 QB's competing for the starting position this coming season of which we're focusing in on the 5 most likely candidates. Of these 5 I think that at least 1 and maybe 2 will transfer at the end of the season. These are competitive people who are very good and I don't see any of them being ok with being the number 3 thru 5 QB's standing around waiting for someone to get hurt. I know they came in with their eyes open to the competition but not one of them doesn't think they can grab the top spot. Are there other places for them on the team to contribute? Maybe for a couple of them if they are willing to do that. My feeling is that Vic gets the call to run the offensive BUT if he's not the starter, or at least the backup, I don't think he would return in 2018 unless he changes his mind and would play on defense.

[size=7][color="#0000cd"]the chasen one[/color][/size]

dajo9;842643914 said:

---

We go into Spring Ball next month with 4 contenders for the coveted job of quarterback in a Bear Raid offense (plus one arriving in fall).

Lead Candidate - Chase Forrest actually has some reps in game time and he looked decent. He also has great hair. Reminds me of a young Morrissey.
Underdog - Can Ross Bowers come from the scout team to take the job? He also has really good hair. Reminds me of a young Tom Cruise.
Prodigal Son - Can Luke Rubenzer return from the safety position to win the job many thought he owned a year ago at this time? His hair is fine. Dead ringer for Johnny Manziel.
Dark Horse - Max Gilliam - Is enrolled and will be competing this spring. Will be tough for him to come in and win but you never know. His hair is also fine. Like a young Heath Ledger.
Longshot - Vicous Vic Viramontes will be arriving in the fall so it would be a big shock for him to win. His hair says Uncle Rico but the rest of him says the Rock. Can't wait to see what this kid can do on the field.

---

Luke was way ahead of Chase when they both got to campus. I understand that Chase improved last year, but I think Luke goes in and picks up where he left off. Not that it matters now, but Luke leads Chase by light years in terms of meaningful snaps, though Luke got the hard job of coming off the bench cold and trying to pass.
My vote is Luke, but Gilliam wouldn't surprise me if he shows anything. Sonny could easily go for the long term project....

Bearsupporter;842643981 said:

---

This is not going to be an easy situation. If I read the roster correctly we will have 8 QB's competing for the starting position this coming season of which we're focusing in on the 5 most likely candidates. Of these 5 I think that at least 1 and maybe 2 will transfer at the end of the season. These are competitive people who are very good and I don't see any of them being ok with being the number 3 thru 5 QB's standing around waiting for someone to get hurt. I know they came in with their eyes open to the competition but not one of them doesn't think they can grab the top spot. Are there other places for them on the team to contribute? Maybe for a couple of them if they are willing to do that. My feeling is that Vic gets the call to run the offensive BUT if he's not the starter, or at least the backup, I don't think he would return in 2018 unless he changes his mind and would play on defense.

---

This is getting into very subjective territory of course. If Vicious Vic does not win the quarterback job I really hope he gives defense a shot. Guy looks like a force to be reckoned with, but quarterback requires a very special set of skills. Rubenzer will be in a tough spot if he doesn't win the QB job. I don't see him starting at safety next year.

dajo9;842643914 said:

---

We go into Spring Ball next month with 4 contenders for the coveted job of quarterback in a Bear Raid offense (plus one arriving in fall).

Lead Candidate - Chase Forrest actually has some reps in game time and he looked decent. He also has great hair. Reminds me of a young Morrissey.
Underdog - Can Ross Bowers come from the scout team to take the job? He also has really good hair. Reminds me of a young Tom Cruise.
Prodigal Son - Can Luke Rubenzer return from the safety position to win the job many thought he owned a year ago at this time? His hair is fine. Dead ringer for Johnny Manziel.
Dark Horse - Max Gilliam - Is enrolled and will be competing this spring. Will be tough for him to come in and win but you never know. His hair is also fine. Like a young Heath Ledger.
Longshot - Vicous Vic Viramontes will be arriving in the fall so it would be a big shock for him to win. His hair says Uncle Rico but the rest of him says the Rock. Can't wait to see what this kid can do on the field.

---

Vicious Vic! If he can pass with any semblance of accuracy, man, hold on to your hats, folks, because Cal football is going to be helluva exciting. We now have our very own Tebow, Newton and or Kaepernick!

dajo9;842643989 said:

---

This is getting into very subjective territory of course. If Vicious Vic does not win the quarterback job I really hope he gives defense a shot. Guy looks like a force to be reckoned with, but quarterback requires a very special set of skills. Rubenzer will be in a tough spot if he doesn't win the QB job. I don't see him starting at safety next year.

---

I know, it is subjective and I could be plain wrong but when the new OC comes on board, he and Coach Dykes have a decision to make. They will have 2 candidates who are "ideal" for the up tempo Bear Raid offense as Sonny has said he would like to run, and they have 3 candidates who are more traditional drop back QB's who can run a bit. Do you chose style A or B?

dajo9;842643989 said:

---

This is getting into very subjective territory of course. If Vicious Vic does not win the quarterback job I really hope he gives defense a shot. Guy looks like a force to be reckoned with, but quarterback requires a very special set of skills. Rubenzer will be in a tough spot if he doesn't win the QB job. I don't see him starting at safety next year.

---

I agree with you, but considering he isn't coming in until the Fall, the QB experiment with him could take a couple of years. Winning the position as a true freshman is one thing, to win the spot without being in Spring camp would be really difficult.

mbBear;842644022 said:

---

I agree with you, but considering he isn't coming in until the Fall, the QB experiment with him could take a couple of years. Winning as a true freshman is one thing, to win the spot without being in Spring camp would be really difficult.

---

+1. While Vic may have the most upside, Sonny himself described Vic as "raw" so I wouldn't expect him to win the starting job this season.

Vic

85Bear;842644025 said:

---

+1. While Vic may have the most upside, Sonny himself described Vic as "raw" so I wouldn't expect him to win the starting job this season.

---

Also..he is a cool prospect and all, but not sure what he does better than Luke? a little bigger build?

mbBear;842644027 said:

---

Also..he is a cool prospect and all, but not sure what he does better than Luke? a little bigger build?

---

Luke was not impressive as a passer in 2014. He was a true freshman so maybe he has improved a lot. I have low confidence in Luke winning the QB job.

Agree with those who say it depends on the style of offense. Chase or Gilliam/Vic is my wild arse guess.

dajo9;842644028 said:

---

Luke was not impressive as a passer in 2014. He was a true freshman so maybe he has improved a lot. I have low confidence in Luke winning the QB job.

---

My own 2 cents is we never got to see the true Luke as a Passer. Judging him from 2014 is like judging a relief pitcher who never got to warm up. It was rare that Luke got to control a series, and the one(from memory) that he did, he drove the team down the field and scored. I have no clue if he wins the job, but I have not seen anything from Chase that makes me put him firmly in front of Luke.

dajo9;842644028 said:

---

Luke was not impressive as a passer in 2014. He was a true freshman so maybe he has improved a lot. I have low confidence in Luke winning the QB job.

---

Surprisingly average arm, with all the hype. Pretty damn short, too. I don't think he wants to play D, so he will let it ALL hang out in the New Order.

I hope someone, or two, rise to the top early. The Kline/Goff thing wasn't productive.

Bobodeluxe;842644035 said:

---

... I hope someone, or two, rise to the top early. The Kline/Goff thing wasn't productive.

---

Klindergoff going into 2013 fall camp ... and Dykes his hoping for the starter/backup to stand out in spring.
No love for Bowers, the forgotten QB? ... he's in the competition also with a 'shirt year completed.

I have no idea.

It will be interesting to see how the staff advances the program w/out Goff.

It is very nice to know the staff will pick the person they think is best regardless of class, seniority or other circumstances.

dajo9;842643914 said:

---

We go into Spring Ball next month with 4 contenders for the coveted job of quarterback in a Bear Raid offense (plus one arriving in fall).

Lead Candidate - Chase Forrest actually has some reps in game time and he looked decent. He also has great hair. Reminds me of a young Morrissey.
Underdog - Can Ross Bowers come from the scout team to take the job? He also has really good hair. Reminds me of a young Tom Cruise.
Prodigal Son - Can Luke Rubenzer return from the safety position to win the job many thought he owned a year ago at this time? His hair is fine. Dead ringer for Johnny Manziel.
Dark Horse - Max Gilliam - Is enrolled and will be competing this spring. Will be tough for him to come in and win but you never know. His hair is also fine. Like a young Heath Ledger.
Longshot - Vicous Vic Viramontes will be arriving in the fall so it would be a big shock for him to win. His hair says Uncle Rico but the rest of him says the Rock. Can't wait to see what this kid can do on the field.

---

A physical alpha dog like Vic is usually able to win over teammates. He'll probably be a good leader and bring great intangibles to the table. Does he have the arm talent and accuracy to win the job? Probably not after 1 fall camp.

Forrest's slow delivery concerns me, and he seems to have the least upside. Luke's size and arm strength concern me. I'm rooting for Gilliam because he seems to be the most complete guy we have in terms of arm, size, and running ability. Ross is #2 in my book in terms of well roundedness.

Honestly, I have no clue. I'd be happy with whoever, and I think we have enough talent there that we should be okay on offense. I'm rooting for Gilliam/Ross to be the 1 and 2 to start the season and for Vic to be waiting in the wings in case they falter.

Bobodeluxe;842644035 said:

---

Surprisingly average arm, with all the hype. Pretty damn short, too. I don't think he wants to play D, so he will let it ALL hang out in the New Order.

I hope someone, or two, rise to the top early. The Kline/Goff thing wasn't productive.

---

I agree about the "early" part. Luke, is a legit 6 even...Chase can't be more than 2 inches taller. I got to see them next to each other at a post game event last year.