Bears Kick Off Spring Ball at Memorial

The Bears kicked off spring football this morning in Memorial Stadium. The plan to have 15 total practices with workouts each Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday over the next three-and-a-half weeks, finishing on Saturday, March 20. Due to COVID-19 limitations, practices are closed to fans and media.

“It’s always a great day when you’re able to get back on the field with your players,” said Wilcox. “There’s obvious energy from everyone- players, coaches and support staff.”

Though the team is allowed to take the field without anyone held out due to reasons beyond injuries. they still have some hurdles to navigate.

“There are some restrictions,” noted Wilcox. “We essentially divide the field into two fields and we have some number limitations on how many people can be on one field at one time. But we’re able to have the entire team in Memorial, just with two ’separate fields.’ That’s how we’re operating today.”

Cal's 2021 spring roster is expected to include 28 student-athletes who made at least one start during a 2020 season shortened to four games due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with those 28 accounting for 74 of the possible 88 starts a year ago. The returning starters are balanced between the team's offense and defense with 15 offensive players who made 38 starts last year and 13 defensive players who made 36 starts a year ago returning.

The roster also includes 10 "super seniors" that are back for an additional season of eligibility granted by the NCAA as part of a blanket eligibility waiver for all 2020 fall student-athletes, as well as nine newcomers that enrolled at Cal in the fall of 2021 that are part of a 21-player 2021 recruiting class that ranked as high as No. 20 nationally according to ESPN.

The program finds itself in a unique position with a loaded roster in spring ball -a time where numbers are often low between the departure of as many as 25 seniors plus injury holdouts in some seasons but with a large contingent of covid exception carryovers and early enrollees, their numbers are at a record high for spring ball.

“We have a few guys that are kind of day to day,” said Wilcox. “I think we have 104 on the team right now and we’re practicing with 99 today, which is also a first. There’s never been a time in my coaching career or playing career where there’s been that many guys at a football practice. 

“We had a number of guys who are returning for another senior year, kind of a bonus covid season. And we have early enrollees (8) so we have really good numbers. We have to be really efficient but it’s great in terms of how many guys are able to get in work. We’re able to do a lot of “team” and a lot of “crossover” so it was productive.”

The offseason saw some recent turnover, with S&C coach Torre Becton departing for a similar role at Texas, OLB coach Tim DeRuyter moving to Oregon to take over as defensive coordinator, tight end coach Marques Tuiasosopo’s departure to Rice as offensive coordinator and last week’s departure of DB coach Marcel Yates to Oregon to coach DB’s there, as well.

“We have few new faces,” said Wilcox. “(S&C) Coach Brian Johnson- I think you’ve had a chance to talk to. He’s fantastic. Keith Hayward who’s joined us and then Geep Chryst in the last less than a week.”

“I’ve known Geep for a few years. I’ve known of him for a long time. He’s a highly-respected coach. His ability and his track record I think speak for themselves, but he’s a fantastic person, incredibly smart, great with communication.

“(OC) Bill Musgrave had also worked with Geep at the (Denver) Broncos. There were a lot of great ties there and there were a lot of great candidates at that position and a few different ways we could’ve gone. We were really fortunate that he was eager to be a part of our program. I think that speaks to about what’s going on here and the players and the type of people we have around the program. We’re fortunate he’s here and is able to hit the ground running because the verbiage of the offense is very familiar to him.”

The first three openings were filled, with only Yates’ replacement yet to be announced, though it’s expected fairly soon.

“We do have an opening,” said Wilcox. “We’ve had a ton of interest with some really great candidates. What we don’t want to do is just hire somebody just to get them here for the first, second or third practice. We want to make sure we get the right person for our program, someone who really fits the profile of what we’re looking for in all ways. 

“In the meantime, myself and Ryan Conry, who’s a graduate assistant for us, are in working with those guys. It’s really enjoyable to be able to spend time in meetings and on the field with them. I’m sure they’ll be looking forward to having the new DB coach in here.”

As for position changes, Erick Nisich will stay on the defensive side at DL after a stint at OL. TE Gavin Reinwald was mentioned as a candidate to get some work at fullback or H-back this season as well as other potential tight ends seeing time there, though the position seems destined to be de-emphasized this season. And safety Trey Paster will get some work at inside linebacker. With his weight up to 225 and his big-hitting style, he seems to have the size to have a potential impact there, as well.

As for the staff’s goal for spring ball 2021:

“Our whole mission in life right now is to improve,” said Wilcox. “It may sound like a catch-all but it’s true. Myself, every coach, every support staff member, hopefully everyone who’s attached to Cal football in some way, shape or form, we need improvement. For me, development on the field, how we support the players, the entire program needs to improve. In order to meet our goals, that’s what it’s going to take.”

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Geep Chryst Named Tight Ends Coach