Wilcox Kicks off 2021 Pac-12 Media Day For Cal
LOS ANGELES, CA -Today’s 2021 Pac-12 Media day featured head coach Justin Wilcox, QB Chase Garbers and OLB Kuony Deng representing the Bears in this year’s event.
The event signified yet another step in the 2021 football season returning to as close to normal as could be expected given all that’s gone on in the last 15 months.
“I can honestly say I've never been more excited for a media day than I am today,” said Wilcox. “It signals the start of a much-anticipated season. For us and our players and our fans and you all and everybody else in the conference, it's an exciting time of year.
“Really looking forward to starting next week with our team. We've got a very, very competitive roster. We have a lot of experience coming back with nine super seniors and a number
of young players we have high expectations for. We're going to start next Thursday.
“Really, really looking forward to getting back on the field and working with these
guys. We have a couple of them joining us today, Kuony Deng and Chase Garbers, who you'll get to know.
“Like I said before, this is an exciting time of year. Being here in person at Media Day is special for all of us.”
The new NIL (Name, image and likeness) policy was a big topic. Wilcox was asked how the program is equipped to ease their players into the process.
“We have put together a program,” said Wilcox. “It's called GOLDEN, which is centered around NIL for all of our student-athletes. It's a resource and provides guidance for them in terms of education and contracts, negotiations, tax implications. We have a number of players who have
entered into agreements within NIL. I think it's going to be months, maybe even years, before it
really sorts itself out. I think it's long overdue. We are in full support of it. With our location, being in the Bay Area, there's going to be a number of opportunities for players on our team. I know they're excited about it. We are fully supportive. Our administration has done a great job of providing some resources and guidance when it comes to NIL.”
Wilcox was asked to prognosticate on the Bears’ prospects for this season and the fifth-year head coach was bullish.
“We have extremely high expectations for them (returning vets) and the rest of the guys,” said Wilcox. “Having nine super seniors, there's a lot of guys who play a lot of reps for us. As I mentioned before, it's the most competitive roster we've had at the individual position groups and offensively and defensively. That competition will bring out the best in each and every one of those guys. But the veterans specifically, they understand what it takes. They've been in the fire. They've played a lot of reps.
“What we're looking for is consistency in our performance. That starts with how we approach the off-season, our summer workouts, what we do in fall camp, and continue throughout the season to continue to improve.”
“I think we’ve got some really good players coming back on both sides of the ball. We have extremely high expectations for them and ourselves.”
This spring, senior linebacker Kuony Deng was moved to what many consider to be his natural position at outside linebacker given his length and natural attributes.
“It's really a win-win with Kuony moving to outside linebacker,” said Wilcox. “With him and Cam Goode and a couple other guys we have, we feel like we've got some really good players there.
“We're eager for some of these inside linebackers to get an opportunity. We think we have some good players in there.
“It won't change what we're doing specifically. Each and every year the schematics change based on the strengths of your team. Those things are tweaked. But there will be no significant changes.”
After the disappointing loss for the season of potential NFL prospect Brett Johnson to a serious hip injury in the spring, the Bears received a pleasant surprise with the return of seventh -that’s right, seventh year – senior Luc Bequette after his transfer back to Cal from Boston College, where he played as a sixth-year grad transfer last season. Bequette was granted an extra season after missing enough time in two seasons to get an injury exception plus an additional year when 2020 was deemed a non-counter year towards player eligibility with so much time lost to covid limitation.
“It is great having Luc back Bequette back,” said Wilcox. “He is on the roster. There is still some work with the NCAA. It's in their hands at this time. We're expecting positive news regarding that.
“Luc has a unique story. I don't know that there's ever been a guy who's essentially been through seven years, played for a team, left the team, come back to the team. It would be a good story for somebody to write. But Luc has played a lot of football for us, is a good football player. He was excited to come back and join his teammates. Has a veteran presence in that room.
“We feel like there's some really talented younger players in that room, they just haven't played much. We're going to need some of those guys to step up and provide us with some reps, with Brett being out.
“Again, I think the competitiveness at that position and the others, is as good as we've had.”
Who are some of the new talent on the DL?
“Stanley (McKenzie), Ricky (Correia), Akili (Calhoun. I might be missing guys. There's a number
of those guys. Ethan Saunders is another guy. Aaron Maldonado is coming back. Just a handful of guys that can play for us. We got some freshmen that just joined us this summer who are pretty impressive physically. Time will tell. That's why we're going to line up and practice. We do have high expectations for that group.”
As noted, the Bears lost Brett Johnson to injury in the spring and while he’s making good progress in his rehab, his returning to the field this season might not be realistic.
“He's doing as well as he possibly could be,” said Wilcox. “Significant injury that he suffered. First of all, we're just glad that he's okay. It was a serious (automobile) accident. Obviously the football side of it, he's a very, very good player, very good player. We'll miss that, not having a guy like that.
“It gives opportunities to some of these other guys we just mentioned. Brett is back on campus. We will get him back going as soon as humanly possible. He's attacked the rehabilitation like we would have expected Brett to. Look forward to him getting back on the field as soon as
possible.”
Wilcox was asked about new frosh QB Kai Millner -one of six current QBs on the roster including walk-ons.
“Kai can throw the ball,” said Wilcox. “He has a great demeanor. Kai joined us this summer. We've known him a long time. Got a ton to learn, like any freshman, especially at that position. He's going to learn a lot, drink from the firehose a little bit. But he's a talented guy. Again, as I mentioned, he has a great personality and demeanor, which you like to see out of that quarterback position. He can throw the ball. When it comes out of his hand, it's got some pace and he's accurate. Really, really looking forward to getting him some reps starting next week.
Wilcox was also asked about two other Arizona natives on the Cal roster -fellow Liberty HS linebackers Braxten Croteau and Ryan Puskas.
“Braxten Croteau is a really steady player for us,” said Wilcox. “Braxten works extremely hard, a very, very physical guy. He's played a lot, he's made some big plays for us last year. He's in as good a shape as he's ever been in. I would expect him to have a very, very good season.
“Ryan Puskas has kind of been in and out of the lineup nursing some injury things. He still has a lot of work to do.”
Also on the Arizona theme, Wilcox was asked what former Arizona prep coach and current Cal special teams coach Charlie Ragle brings to the table.
“He was a really successful high school coach in Arizona, as you probably know,” said Wilcox. “Has a lot of relationships. He connects really well with the players in terms of recruiting and identifying the guys that fit us. Charlie has been a really valuable person for our program
in that way.”
The 2021 recruiting class season was like no other in the past century-plus of collegiate football, Covid restrictions eliminated in-person visits and prevented both players and coaches from being able to do a thorough analysis before on offer was extended or accepted.
“To not go on a visit, commit and sign to a school is pretty unique,” said Wilcox. “It's never happened before, I don't think. We had a number of guys we did virtual recruiting tours with, virtual visits who weren't even on our campus until they checked in last month. I hope that would
never have to happen again. We feel really good about those guys. The feedback here in the last month with next year's class has been very, very positive.”
Like Johnson, sixth-year senior Mike Saffell suffered a season-ending injury that ended up being a career-ender for the popular center and QB of the o-line.
“I feel for Mike,” said Wilcox. “It was something he really didn't have much control over. It was a decision he had to make. We support him fully. We love Mike. He is an unbelievable person. He's a great football player. We're going to miss him as a player. He's still part of our team and will continue to be. Mike is going to be involved in some way moving forward. But right now we're just supporting him through kind of a difficult time. He's been playing football probably as long
as he remembers. It's tough to have to give that up when it's not within your control like that.
“The other guys, there's some O-linemen. Matt Cindric played center. Brian Driscoll really came on last season and had a very good spring. A very smart, tough guy. We expect him to be in the mix there. Then there's some other guys who I think, Ben Coleman is a guy that potentially could play interior there. We'll see. There's just a handful of guys that will be working at that position in the next month. We cross-train a number of our offensive linemen for this very reason. We're eager to watch those guys continue to grow as players throughout this fall.
“Football, for the most part, retires the player. The player doesn't always retire from football. The game chooses. That happened with Mike, probably earlier than he anticipated. But I think what Mike has done in his time at Cal on the field, been exceptional, but off the field in terms of his
education, how he approaches school, how he approaches networking, meeting people, the opportunities. I spoke with a couple of our alumni this past week. The phone calls that Mike Saffell is going to get to come meet with them, talk with them, they're significant. I think it
speaks to the power of the institution, but also the way that Mike has taken advantage of his time at Cal.
Wilcox was asked if in hindsight he regretted shifting what ended up being their season-opener to UCLA after ASU had to pull out of their game due to significant numbers out due to covid or covid testing. The Bears suffered a lopsided loss to the Bruins in a game where they never really got untracked.
“Oh, geez, It was such a unique time,” said Wilcox. “I mean, you could make an argument either way. To be honest with you, we're moving on. We are moving forward.
“Last season was challenging for everybody. I could sit here and talk about all the challenges we had. I'm sure the other coaches and schools could, too. We're looking forward to next week and next season. I feel very good about our team. But really not spending a lot of time
looking back on last year. We identified plays and things we need to do better, but
not spending a whole lot of time with decisions about playing games and policies and protocols, and all that. We're moving forward.
Wilcox noted that the offense is flowing much more smoothly now that the team has had a full spring and long period after for team and personal workouts under their belt.
“Much further along,” said Wilcox compared to last season. “Much further along, as you would expect. Relationships and the teaching that goes on when you're installing a new offense with some significant changes, language, expectations, techniques, those things. We're much, much further along.
“Spring football was really, really productive for us. Our summer, we had a really long post-spring workout period and a summer workout period where Brian Johnson, our strength and conditioning staff, have really taken advantage of building up our bodies.
“Specific to the offense, we've had a lot more time to communicate, meet, spend on football. Any time you get that, you're getting better and better every day. If you talk to Chase, he'd tell you the same thing. The comfort level has significantly improved.”
“I think when you look at the roster, the outside linebacker position, when you have Kuony and Cameron Goode and Braxten Croteau, and some of these younger guys that we think can help us, that's a strength. I think there's some good football players at the D-line. They just don't have as much experience. We have to find out who's going to play how many reps. The inside linebacker position, I think Evan Tattersall's had a very good off-season, he's in the best shape he's ever been in, taking a step forward in his progression. Muelu Iosefa is a very talented player who is still learning a lot. I think there's some other inside linebackers that can provide some reps.
“In the back end, you've got Josh Drayden who's played some good football for us for a long time, along with Elijah Hicks. Those two guys have played a ton of football for us for the past four years, four-plus years for Josh, I guess. Then there are some other guys in that secondary that I think
are kind of ready to make their move. All that will sort out. But I think if you just looked on paper,
the returning guys with Cameron and Kuony, that outside linebacker position would be one of the strengths.”
Wilcox was asked about one of the newcomers in the defensive backfield, former De La Salle cornerback and jack-of-all-trades athlete Lu-Magia Hearns.
“He's a very quick twitch guy. He was very, very productive in a great program. That's always a good sign. Got high hopes for him. Again, like any freshman, there's just a lot to be
determined. We're very excited about the recruiting class and the signees. There's just so much to do yet.”
As for the Bears’ defensive scheme, Wilcox noted that not much is going to change in 2021.
“I think it's one of the strengths of our conference. You have the diversity in the schemes that you play against, both offensively and defensively. The players playing those schemes are very
talented players. Speaking from a defensive perspective, yeah, we play 3-4 base defense. We'll do that again with teams that want to go big. Then we play 4-2-5 nickel. With the two-down defense lineman, that probably is semantics, just how you look at the standup outside guys, whether
they put their hand down or not. I wouldn't differentiate those too much.”
“I think that's a great challenge that you have enough defense to be able to line up and play effectively against these teams that we're playing, also not overload your guys. That's the line we're always trying to walk. Again, that's kind of some of the fun in all this, is trying to
find that sweet spot for what you're good at, what you need, get it communicated to the players so they can go out there and play.”
The offseason saw the departure of Co-DC Tim DeRuyter to Oregon, though Wilcox doesn’t expect the Bears to miss a beat on D.
“Tim did a great job for us. I've known him a long time. He was great to work with. We have
some excellent football coaches. Andrew Browning, who's as good as there is, in my opinion, as a defensive line coach. Pete Sirmon, who I've known for a long time, in terms of teaching, preparing and game planning, is as good as there is. Now with Keith Heyward and Tre Watson -Keith, who I have a long history with, exceptional football coach, even better person. I coached defense for a number of years. There's a lot of communication going on in that room. I've known Keith a long time, really dating back to his playing days. Got a chance to work with him for about four years.
“Keith is a very, very good football mind, super person. He's great with our players. I know they love playing for him. It doesn't take long with a guy like that, walk in the meeting room, spend time with the players, to see that relationship develop. That's such a key component in coaching.
“There's a lot of people that can draw Xs and Os, there really are. Hell, you can learn it on YouTube. You can spend time on YouTube, learn how to line up a defense. There are fewer people who can communicate that, get to know the players, and build a relationship with the players so they have faith in the guy teaching them, they will buy in and spend time on it. The power is in the learning, the power is in the players. They are going to choose whether they listen to you or not. How you treat them, how you build that relationship is so critical, and he has that. We know who we are.
“We know what we want to do. Our job is to get it communicated to the players and make sure we're giving this year's team, which is not last year's team or the year before, the best opportunity. Schematically, in how we teach 'em, how we prepare 'em. I have the utmost confidence in the guys in our room doing that.”
With 2020 being a short season with barely any spring ball and a shorted fall camp and season, senior QB Chase Garbers didn’t get untracked as he hoped to but Wilcox is optimistic with his expectations for Garbers and the offense.
“I think Chase is primed for a great season, I really do,” said Wilcox. “He's played a ton of football. Got a lot of different experiences. His comfort level in practice, his comfort level within the schemes, just operating. He's confident. I think that just comes with age and time. Doesn't always happen overnight. He's had some really good moments. He's learned a lot along the way. I think
Chase is, like I said before, just primed for a very, very good season.
“I think for all of us, it's just the consistency in our performance. He's had some great moments and great games, like the rest of the team has. Now it's finding that consistency. That's just part of your DNA, how you operate in the off-season, how you prepare. When you go out and play a play or a series or quarter or a game, it's finding that consistency. It's hard to do. A lot of people can have a great play or a great series or a great quarter, even a game, but to do that throughout the season with all the twists and turns, some of the adversity you're going to face is difficult. That's
really where we need to take the next step.”
Stay tuned for more from today’s 2021 Pac-12 Media Day
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