Some Standout Newcomers (or youngsters) from Camp
Practices are hard to watch in real time. A lot happening at different parts of the field and mismatch of 1's, 2's and 3's on the field makes relative competition difficult to track. And no film, so if you're watching the ball, you miss a lot.As a result it's always good to get the staffs inputs on some surprises and standouts thus far given they have the film and the perspective to see everything on an absolute basis:- OLB David Reese: Offensive staff thinks he's going to have a huge year as an Edge Pass Rusher. Confidence and body are at a new level- ILB Teddye Buchanan: Big, long, fast and with great hips. Very effective in pass coverage and blitzing. Poised for a big year and an NFL future- CB Marcus Harris: Natural cover skills, smart, experienced and physical and mostly his elite speed. Can run stride for stride (and then some) with Cal's fastest players, something the Bears have not had in a corner in Wilcox era. Allows the defense to do all kinds of different things when he is trusted to be on an island with the opponents best deep threat- CB Khamani Hudson: Having a great camp, don't be surprised to see him on the field by midseason. Long and with great hips. Does well on the outside against bigger receivers. - RB Kadarius Calloway: Big, very fast and with that great cut back ability. A big play back- WR Tobias Merriweather: The clear Alpha WR on the team. Has taken a big step forward since the Spring. Long and very fast- OT Nick Morrow: More than held his own this Fall. A very good athlete with an ideal frame. Smart, and a fast learner- OT Frederick Williams III: Viewed as a potential first day NFL draft choice. All the skills, has made a huge jump since his Freshman year. Ideal build and length. Has a chance to break into the rotation and see snaps by midseason- OG/C Will McDonald: Not big in stature but plays with an edge. Tough as nails and will hammer you- TE Corey Dyches: Has been uncoverable in red zone 1:1's, can really run. A perfect tandem with Endries- PK Ryan Coe: Been nearly perfect this Camp (only misses on bad snaps/false starts), Can make FGs from 60+. A weapon who can change play calling on 3rd downs outside the 25 yard line
The Offensive Line rotation
We'll have more on the OL closer to the start of Fall Camp - Only 4 weeks awayHowever, given the incredible importance of this position group and the number of players vying for a starting spot, I wanted to get folks thoughts on how they think things will play out. Rather than do this by position group (given there's some versatility on the roster), we'll do this by player in alphabetical order.Syris Corley - 6'5, 285, True Freshman: Aggregate recruiting ranking of 85 (3 stars), BI rating of 86. Projected as an OTDylan Jemtegaard - 6'4, 290, RS Junior: Played in six games off the bench in 2023 at both Center and Guard. Aggregate recruiting ranking of 84, BI rating of 88. Saw time at both Center and Guard this SpringTyler Knape - 6'4, 280, True Freshman: Aggregate recruiting ranking of 83.3 (3 stars), BI rating of 85, Projected as an IOLWill McDonald - 6'2, 295, RS Senior: 26 starts, played 51 total games for Coastal Carolina in the Sun Belt. 3rd team All SBC in 2023, Played almost exclusively at Guard. On3 transfer rating of 87, 247 rating of 85, BI rating of 86Nick Morrow - 6'8, 305, RS Freshman (Jan 2022 enrollee): Started at LT throughout 2024 Spring, Aggregate recruiting ranking of 82.7, BI rating of 84Braden Miller - 6'6, 310, RS Sophomore: Played 3 games off the bench for Michigan State in 2023 all at OT. On3 transfer rating of 84, BI rating of 85Aiden Newbill - 6'8, 285, True Freshman: Aggregate recruiting ranking of 86, BI rating of 86Trent Ramsey - 6'5, 305, RS Sophomore: Played two games off the bench thus far in his career. Aggregate recruiting ranking of 89 (ESPN and Rivals 4 star) and a BI rating of 90. Has played almost exclusively at Guard in practice thus far at CalRush Reimer - 6'5, 305, Senior: 30 starts for FCS Montana State, First team All Big Sky and 2nd team All American in 2023, 3rd team FCS All American in 2022. Aggregate transfer rating of 88, BI rating of 87. Played both guard and tackle at MSU while playing primarily at Guard this Spring for CalTJ Session - 6'4, 305, RS Senior: 34 career games with 30 starts (20 starts at Cal), was at Montana State previously, 13 starts at Right Tackle for Cal in 2023. No transfer or BI ratingsVictor Stoffel - 6'7, 295, RS Senior: Played 35 games with 20 starts at Temple where he earned HM All Conference in the AAC. On3 transfer rating of 87, BI rating of 84. Played RT throughout 2023, injured this SpringBastian Swinney - 6'6, 290, RS Junior: Has played in 15 games with 3 starts (one at Center, two at Guard) since coming to Cal. Played 12 games in 2023 with two starts. Aggregate recruiting ranking of 87 (247 4 Star), BI rating of 88. Played both Center and Guard this SpringSioape Vatikani - 6'4, 330, Junior: Has played in 24 games with 20 starts in his first two years at Cal, all at Guard. All ACC 4th Team Preseason by Phil Steele, Aggregate recruiting ranking of 88, BI rating of 90Frederick Williams III - 6'5, 295, RS Freshman: Aggregate recruiting ranking of 85, BI rating of 89. Outstanding Scout Player in 2023 at Guard and Tackle. Out for Spring 2023 with injuryMatthew Wykoff - 6'6, 325, RS Junior: Played in 29 games with 21 starts over three seasons. Played 13 games with 12 starts at Guard for Cal in 2023. Nine starts at Texas A&M, eight at Center and one at Guard. Made SEC All Freshman team in 2022. Played primarily at Center and some at Guard this Spring. Aggregate recruiting ranking of 89, On3 transfer rating of 87.See here for BI's current depth chart projections (not rotation)So how do you see things unfolding?
Five Impact Freshmen
With all the focus on the Transfer Portal, it's easy to forget that Cal will welcome Seventeen new HS recruits and returns five other Redshirt Freshman scholarship players. From that group, we select five players who we believe will have an opportunity to impact the 2024 season
The Class Of 2023 - Camp Observations
Taking a look at the incoming HS and JC recruits and how they've fared to date in Fall Camp
Cal Football Fall Camp Preview - The Offensive Line
When the Bears take the field against North Texas, all eyes will be on new offensive line coach Mike Bloesch and his revamped unit. No group has been more responsible for Cal's offensive struggles than the big boys upfront. It was the priority this offseason.
