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BYU Football: Scouting the Schedule – California

By Shaun Gordon

BERKELEY, CA - NOVEMBER 29: Jordan Leslie #9 of the Brigham Young Cougars catches a touchdown pass over Michael Lowe #5 of the California Golden late in the fourth quarter at California Memorial Stadium on November 29, 2014 in Berkeley, California. The Cougars won the game 42-35. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
BERKELEY, CA - NOVEMBER 29: Jordan Leslie #9 of the Brigham Young Cougars catches a touchdown pass over Michael Lowe #5 of the California Golden late in the fourth quarter at California Memorial Stadium on November 29, 2014 in Berkeley, California. The Cougars won the game 42-35. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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CHAPEL HILL, NC – SEPTEMBER 02: Ross Bowers #3 of the California Golden Bears in action against the North Carolina Tar Heels during their game at Kenan Stadium on September 2, 2017 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Cal won 35-30. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NC – SEPTEMBER 02: Ross Bowers #3 of the California Golden Bears in action against the North Carolina Tar Heels during their game at Kenan Stadium on September 2, 2017 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Cal won 35-30. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

The Offense

While the Cal offense struggled in 2017, they’ll bring back nearly every starter for 2018. The hope is that an extra year of experience, maturity, and continuity will lead to better results.

Quarterback

This is a battle that will likely run through fall camp. Ross Bowers (Jr.) played well for the Golden Bears last year, throwing for 3,039 yards and 18 touchdowns. He was solid, but unspectacular.

He’ll go up against Brandon McIlwain (So.), who transferred from South Carolina. McIlwain has better mobility and can be more dynamic, while Bowers knows the offense better and has more experience.

This battle could go in either direction, but they’ll be set at the backup position either way.

Running Back

Former walk-on Patrick Laird (Sr.) took over for an injured Tre Watson early in the season, and he impressed, rushing for 1,127 yards and adding 322 receiving yards.

Watson transferred, so Laird will be the guy. There’s no experience behind him though, so expect to see a battle for the backup spot between a pair of freshmen, Johnny Adams Jr. and Christopher Brown Jr.

Receivers/Tight Ends

Cal returns their two primary receivers from last year, Kanawai Noa (Jr.) and Vic Wharton III (Sr.). Plus, they’ll get Demetris Robertson (So.) back. He was a Freshman All-American in 2016 before going down with a season-ending injury in early 2017.

Two other wideouts saw significant action last season, Jordan Duncan (Jr.) and Jeremiah Hawkins (So.), so there will be plenty of targets for whichever quarterback wins the starting spot.

Tight End will be a battle. Malik McMorris (Sr.) saw the bulk of the action last season, but was a better blocker than receiver. He’ll compete with Ray Hudson (Sr.) who started 35 games for the Golden Bears from 2014-16 but missed all of last season with injury.

Offensive Line

The entire starting offensive line is back from last season, which could be a good thing or a bad thing. The line was spotty last season, but they’ll look to improve coming into 2018.

Expect to see Patrick Mekari (Sr.) and Jake Curhan (So.) start at the tackle spots, with Matt Robinson (Jr.) and Henry Bazakas (Jr.) rounding out the two-deep.

At guard, Kamryn Bennett (Sr.) and Valentino Daltoso (So.) should get the starting nods, backed up by Gentle Williams (So.) and Michael Saffell (So.).

Addison Ooms (Sr.) will man the center spot, backed up by Ryan Gibson (So.).

Overall, this is a deep and experience line, but the production needs to improve.

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