Cal football: Improved Chase Garbers frontrunner for quarterback job
BERKELEY — Cal doesn’t expect to name a starting quarterback until training camp begins in August, but redshirt sophomore incumbent Chase Garbers appears to be the clear leader after three weeks of spring practice.
“Chase has really shown a great command and he’s driving the ball a lot better this spring than he was a year ago,” coach Justin Wilcox said.
Nothing that happened during Saturday’s spring game changed the quarterback picture, where UCLA transfer Devon Modster is getting most of the second-team reps.
Garbers was among four players who saw action at the position for the Bears last season, and he was the most productive, completing 61 percent of his passes for 1,506 yards with 14 touchdowns. But he also threw 10 interceptions and Cal was ineffective in the red zone.
The Bears, despite going 7-6 and earning their first bowl bid in three seasons, ranked last in the Pac-12 in scoring, passing offense and total offense. Modster was brought on board to increase competition at quarterback, but Garbers is holding the No. 1 spot so far.
“I think I’ve played a lot better than I have in the past. My game is definitely at the highest it’s been since I’ve been here,” he said. “Just overall command of the offense, that comfort level that I didn’t necessarily have in the fall.”
“He’s made huge strides this spring,” offensive lineman Mike Saffell said.
Beau Baldwin, who has added quarterbacks coach to his role as offensive coordinator and playcaller, likes what he’s seeing from all four quarterbacks this spring. Garbers’ experience in the system gives him an advantage and Baldwin said the competition has probably helped him.
“The thing I like about Garbs is he’s worrying about that, he’s not asking about that, he’s not concerned with that,” Baldwin said. “He’s just working each period, each drill. He’s ready to earn everything.”
Brown limps off: The Bears have three more spring practices next week, but sophomore running back Christopher Brown Jr., may not be available to participate.
The 6-foot-1, 230-pounder, who seems likely to replace two-year start Patrick Laird, was helped off the field midway through Saturday’s action after apparently injuring his left foot or ankle. There was no immediate word on the nature of his injury.
Newcomer Deng impresses: Kuony (prononced Coin) Deng looks like the prototypical outside pass rusher at 6-6, 225 pounds. But the junior transfer from Independence Community College in Kansas is working at inside linebacker as a possible replacement for departed first-team All-Pac-12 selection Jordan Kunzasyk.
“He’s really athletic and he’s got a high want-to,” Cal defensive coordinator Tim DeRuiter said. “He’ll be an inside linebacker but we’re talking about different rush packages on third down.”
Deng had a pass interception during Saturday’s live action.
Extra points: Junior running back Marcel Dancy scored two touchdowns, one each on a run and a pass reception. … Former Cal quarterback Mike Pawlawski, who is the Bears’ radio analyst, said the team’s secondary is the best he’s seen in Berkeley in more than 30 years. … Sophomore safety Daniel Scott, who is working his way into that deep and experienced secondary rotation, had an interception. … Cal opens its season against UC Davis at home on Aug. 31.