Just spent the evening with Coach Dykes, his staff and many of the players.
First off, incredibly impressive group of players. Classy, smart, poised, well spoken and simply wonderful representatives of our university.
I've had the chance to be around Dykes more than a half dozen occasions since his hire and this was the most relaxed and confident I've seen him. He spoke about the consistent progress he feels like the programs making across the board. Kids are bigger, faster, tougher and better versed in the teams system. Each recruiting class has been better than the last. Team chemistry and tightness are much improved. Depth and talent are better across the board since his arrival.
Demariay Drew will be back on the team in the Fall. Adding depth to the safety position. They like what they've seen thus far from Brown and believe Piatt and McClure will be 100% by the summer. White is going to be much improved this Spring. Injury held him back last year and then he lost his confidence but he's back stronger and has his swagger back. He and Caleb Coleman ran sub 4.5 40's during testing. They are high on Coleman given the way he finished the season.
Trevor Davis mentioned Darius Allensworth as the toughest cover corner on the team. His shoulder injury held him back last year but TD thinks he will be much improved.
Lots of excitement from the WR corps on Goff. He's bigger, stronger and very confident. Some Heisman talk tonight.
30 kids with 3.0 or higher 1st semester, tracking to a 1000 APR right now. Going to easily clear the 80% requirement with new recruits meeting UC standards three years ahead of time.
Pass rush likely to come from Wilson, Looney, Kragen, Johnson, Westerfield and more effective blitzing. A big concern. Overall, a lot more confidence in the defense. Believes we will see the same jump we saw on offense this past year vs. 2013 as its the 2nd year under Kaufman and we have more depth, size and speed. More competition, better strength and conditioning a 2nd year of being coached up by the staff will result in a big jump forward.
Offensive line has Rigsbee moving back inside starting the Spring. Oooms and M Cochran will compete for starting center spot. Granado, A Cochran, Vinnie Johnson, Granado, Farley and (surprise) Myles Bunte will compete at tackle along with Moore. Staff is particularly high on Johnson who is 295lbs of solid muscle with long arms and really good feet. He was there tonight and is not super tall but is smart and confident.
Trevor is up to 185lbs, 7lbs higher than last year and he will play at 190-195 this year. He was bragging on Chad Hansen, saying he was super fast and athletic. Talked up Eric Brown, Jack Austin and the incoming frosh as well.
Great vibes all the way around.
Now the bad news - Brennan Scarlett is leaving Cal and will play for Stanford next year. Got into the grad school of his choice there. Disappointing news on an otherwise very good night.
This post was edited on 3/6 7:29 AM by Calhoopfan
First off, incredibly impressive group of players. Classy, smart, poised, well spoken and simply wonderful representatives of our university.
I've had the chance to be around Dykes more than a half dozen occasions since his hire and this was the most relaxed and confident I've seen him. He spoke about the consistent progress he feels like the programs making across the board. Kids are bigger, faster, tougher and better versed in the teams system. Each recruiting class has been better than the last. Team chemistry and tightness are much improved. Depth and talent are better across the board since his arrival.
Demariay Drew will be back on the team in the Fall. Adding depth to the safety position. They like what they've seen thus far from Brown and believe Piatt and McClure will be 100% by the summer. White is going to be much improved this Spring. Injury held him back last year and then he lost his confidence but he's back stronger and has his swagger back. He and Caleb Coleman ran sub 4.5 40's during testing. They are high on Coleman given the way he finished the season.
Trevor Davis mentioned Darius Allensworth as the toughest cover corner on the team. His shoulder injury held him back last year but TD thinks he will be much improved.
Lots of excitement from the WR corps on Goff. He's bigger, stronger and very confident. Some Heisman talk tonight.
30 kids with 3.0 or higher 1st semester, tracking to a 1000 APR right now. Going to easily clear the 80% requirement with new recruits meeting UC standards three years ahead of time.
Pass rush likely to come from Wilson, Looney, Kragen, Johnson, Westerfield and more effective blitzing. A big concern. Overall, a lot more confidence in the defense. Believes we will see the same jump we saw on offense this past year vs. 2013 as its the 2nd year under Kaufman and we have more depth, size and speed. More competition, better strength and conditioning a 2nd year of being coached up by the staff will result in a big jump forward.
Offensive line has Rigsbee moving back inside starting the Spring. Oooms and M Cochran will compete for starting center spot. Granado, A Cochran, Vinnie Johnson, Granado, Farley and (surprise) Myles Bunte will compete at tackle along with Moore. Staff is particularly high on Johnson who is 295lbs of solid muscle with long arms and really good feet. He was there tonight and is not super tall but is smart and confident.
Trevor is up to 185lbs, 7lbs higher than last year and he will play at 190-195 this year. He was bragging on Chad Hansen, saying he was super fast and athletic. Talked up Eric Brown, Jack Austin and the incoming frosh as well.
Great vibes all the way around.
Now the bad news - Brennan Scarlett is leaving Cal and will play for Stanford next year. Got into the grad school of his choice there. Disappointing news on an otherwise very good night.
This post was edited on 3/6 7:29 AM by Calhoopfan
