Bear Insider Video: Cal QB Chase Garbers

Fans, coaches, and teammates are all equally-impressed by redshirt freshman quarterback Chase Garbers' performance recently in his initial three games against North Carolina, BYU and Idaho State.

Garbers had an extremely strong high school career at Corona Del Mar in Newport Beach, CA, compiling 9260 yards of total offense and 90 touchdowns during his career there. After his successful prep career, he was given the chance to redshirt his freshman year at Cal. 

“Redshirting last year definitely helped a lot. Getting a year under Coach Baldwin’s system was beneficial for me. Watching Ross play as well helped me learn all the ropes of college football” said Garbers. 

Though many would assume that the transition from being a star high school football player to redshirting his freshman year, would be tough on him, Garbers claims it was not as difficult as it seems.

“It wasn’t that bad. I kind of expected it,” said Garbers. "Guys who are older than me definitely said, ‘You are going to be at the top of the totem pole in high school and then at the bottom in college.’” 

This season, as a redshirt freshman, Garbers had the chance to play right away in game one against UNC. Due to his performance in game one, Garber’s was then given the opportunity to start the following game against BYU.

"I had a lot of support from all of my teammates, especially the freshman class,” said Garbers. "Working with them all fall and all summer and all offseason definitely helped my confidence.”

Garber’s pulled off a really strong second half against BYU and secured the win for the Bears with two final touchdowns.  

"Coming out of halftime, everything slowed down for the offense and we all started executing and It worked. We got the ‘W’," said Garbers.

Picking up a lot of yards on the ground, Garbers and McIlwain combined to go 23-for-35 for 214 yards against BYU, who is now ranked #25 after this road win over Wisconsin.

"I think with Brandon and I running the ball as effectively have, we have been definitely tax the defense and put some pressure on the defensive coordinators, which is what we want,” said Garbers. 

Garbers followed up his successful start over BYU with a strong 20-for-25, 3 td performance in the Bears' 45-23 win over Idaho State Saturday, also rushing for 42 yards on 10 carries.