Jaiven Plummer

In Jake Spavital's offense, a lot of WRs will play and catch balls. Where do the Bears stand in terms of depth and playmaking talent as Fall Camp approaches? The room has a blend of returning production and plenty of new faces

With Spring Practice in the rearview mirror and the majority of the roster now set (some potential grad transfer activity remains), we decided to take a look at each of Cal's position units evaluating their Spring performance and projecting their impact this coming Fall.

Let's break it down:Jeremiah Hunter : One of the most productive receivers returning in the Pac 12. He's got good size, an elite ability to beat press coverage and creates leverage through his strength to get separation. He's also very good in creating YAC. He's a big play waiting to happen with 16+ ypc, which was second in the P12 for receivers with over 45 catches. He needs to get comfortable in this new system. He's a bit head led and analytic and Spav's offense is about the WRs reading the defense in real-time and running to open space. The QB and the WR have to see it the same way and there's work to do to get there.Mavin Anderson: Strong and fast, Anderson played in the slot last year and a had a solid season. He has really good body control and can make contested catches. Once he has the ball, he's a running back with his stout build and explosive ability. He may end up playing outside as Cal needs a speed receiver opposite Hunter and although Mavin doesn't have ideal length, he can take the top off the defense. He's having a very good SpringBrian Hightower: He's got great length at 6'3 and size at 220lbs. Clearly an outside receiver, however much more of a possession receiver. He's a big target who can use his strength to make contested catches. Not particularly fast or explosive. An experienced, savvy player with a mature body. A good blocker as well.Monroe Young: He's having a great Spring and is flourishing in the new offense. His ability to read coverages and find open spaces has made him a favorite target of Sam Jackson. Smart, experienced with a dynamic work ethic, Young's dependable and capable. Another good possession receiver and a plus blocker.Tommy Christakos: Sitting out to heal up from injury this Spring. A big target who can jump and who has been effective in previous Springs. While he's not blazing fast, he's got enough speed to get down the field where he can use his length and hops to make catches. Needs to be more consistent with his hands. Has to stay focused and confident in game situations, not leaving his fit when he doesn't need to do so. Aidan Lee: Lee's a monster physically. Not particularly quick but he has good top end speed and he's built like an Adonis. Has to stay healthy. Can be a TE/WR hybrid given his size and strength. A powerful blocker. Mason Mangum: With Justin Richard Baker taking a medical retirement, Mangum will get a chance to earn snaps in the slot this Fall. He's recovering from injury and is sitting out the Spring. He's fast and can be dynamic on slants and go routes. Not big and like Christakos has to be more consistent in game situationsMason Starling: He impressed from the get-go last Spring. Then he got hurt and was limited in-game action in 2022. He can run and has the knack for getting separation as he can get in and out of his cuts quickly. He's coming off a major injury. He's on track to return this Fall but will he be 100%? He's had a lot of smaller injuries as well so the big thing for him is getting back on the field. Jaiven Plummer: Tall and fast, Plummer needs to continue to hone his craft and work on his flexibility. He's flashed this Spring but there's work to do for him to crack the rotationMarquis Montgomery: A 6'5 JC transfer with star potential. He looks like a potential threat on the outside both on deep balls and in the red zone. He won't arrive until the Summer. Nyziah Hunter: A dynamic athlete with blazing speed, Hunter could be a factor in either the slot or outside when he arrives this Summer. He was so dominant athletically in HS that it's hard to know how ready he is to defeat press coverage, to read the secondary and to be consistent with his hands.