Jacob Arop

I got some grease on how one of, if not the most pivotal, position group on the field is coming together.Bryan Harsin vs. Jordan Sommerville evolution will have two big impacts on the OL. Harsin had a system that he had used to great success prior to Cal and every Offensive position coach had to adapt to that system. It was very regimented. Sommerville is more collaborative and wants to have very position coach give input on what will best set up their charges for success. Secondly, the protection schemes under Sommerville will reflect what the OL personnel does best. Rather than what the system proscribesThe Cal staff believes Frederick Williams III made a big jump this Spring and is playing at a much higher level than he did in 2025. They are confident Jimothy Lewis is a future NFL player and simply a "dude". However, those guys need more snaps and experience and the Bears will lean on their hugely experienced interior OL for leadershipThere's a belief that Vaikani's inconsistency had a lot to do with his carrying too much weight last year. They've revamped his nutrition plan, his BMI is much improved and they saw him have his best Spring ever at Cal. Swinney has cemented himself as the starting Center. He played really well at the end of the year last year, is comfortable at Center and snapping the ball and his confidence is sky high. Ruffins is the bell cow of that interior groupThey believe this group can be a very good run blocking line and they want to lean into that. Williams is likely a better run blocker than pass protector right now. My sense is that early in the season, they will utilize protections to help the tackles on obvious passing downs.Jacob Arop looks like the next Tackle up as he's recovered/recovering from an injury and Kahlee Tafai will push hard for snaps on the interiorThey really like Mike Klisiewicz (perhaps a year away) and think the 2026 incoming OL class is the best they've had in many years