2002 Statistics

written by Collin Mickle

Although the departure of star Kyle Boller leaves Cal with a question mark at quarterback, the Bears are certain to continue their gun-slinging ways under his successor. With head coach Jeff Tedford at the controls of the offense, there is no other legitimate option. Fortunately, personnel will not be a problem in the passing game, as a deep and talented stable of pass-catchers return, making wide receiver - and tight end - the only position about which Cal fans can feel secure.

In one season under Tedford, former quarterback Kyle Boller erased four disappointing years of unmet expectations, transforming himself into a second-team All-Pac-10 selection and a first-round NFL draft choice (Baltimore). But the party line emanating from Berkeley insists that Tedford - the man who molded outstanding passers Trent Dilfer, Joey Harrington, David Carr, and Akili Smith - can make one of the handful of raw players at the position into a stud.

Tedford will have no shortage of material for this building job. The two leading candidates are junior Reggie Robertson and sophomore newcomer Aaron Rodgers. Robertson was Boller's backup the last two seasons, but, with Boller's budding performance, he saw considerably less action in '02 than in '01. Robertson, like Boller, has good athleticism to go with a rifle arm.

Rodgers, a junior college transfer rated among the top juco players in the country, was very efficient at that college level (61.9 completion %, four INTs, 10-1 record as a starter), but has to make the leap to Division I-A. Expect Robertson to start the first few games, but bank on both players seeing plenty of time as the season continues. A pair of highly touted freshmen, redshirt Steve Levy and true frosh Cary Dove, will provide valuable depth if these two falter.

The most legitimate option for whoever replaces Boller as Cal's triggerman will be senior wideout Jonathan Makonnen. Makonnen, the team's leading receiver in 2002, is the only player at the position who saw action in all 12 games last season. Makonnen, also a former junior college transfer, had an outstanding first season snarling in Berkeley, and will be one of the conference's top returning pass catchers in '03. Knowing other team's awareness of his impact-ability, emerging receivers are needed badly to insure balance in opposing secondaries. It should all work out well…

Accordingly, joining Makonnen at the position will be junior Jeff McArthur, who had a productive 2002 sophomore campaign before a hamstring injury in the fifth game. A host of inexperienced players will compete for the third receiver position. Headlining the group are explosive redshirt freshman David Gray, a former high school All-America, and touted recruit Devin Stearns, a 2002 All-America with (alleged) 4.4 sprint speed.

Senior tight end Brandon Hall languished behind Tom Swoboda (42 catches, 451 yards, seven TDs), but Swoboda has moved on, and Hall - who started four games as a juco transfer in '02 - has the inside track on the starting job.

Left tackle Mark Wilson - an honorable mention all-conference pick - leads a solid offensive line that returns three starters. The Bears will have to replace guard Scott Tercero, a first-team All-Conference selection last season. Senior David Hays appears to be the choice for that job.

At running back, senior Adimchinobe Echemandu (formerly Joe Echema) will look to replace the school's No. 2 all-time rusher, Joe Igber. Echemandu was named the starter last spring, but missed the entire 2002 campaign with a serious knee injury. Also in the mix is junior Terrell Williams, who is also trying to make a comeback from a major knee problem. The speedy Williams, who enjoyed an outstanding freshman season in 2001, will push Echemandu for the starting spot - if both are healthy. If not, junior college transfer J. J. Arrington and redshirt freshman Marcus O'Keith will battle it out for the position. The position has potential, but actualities differ often from expectations. Look for one to emerge and be a consistent starter until he falters.

RB Adimchinobe Echemandu

written by Collin Mickle

Defensively, the Bears are an inexperienced group. Of the full-time starters on 2002's defense, only two return - tackle Lorenzo Alexander and rover Donnie McCleskey. Although the Bears have some talent - especially in the incoming recruiting class - replacing the departed seniors, including a pair of all-conference choices, will be tough. Year's end may see many of them established, but it will be a painful growing period regardless.

Hard-hitting junior outside linebacker Wendell Hunter will be the defense's primary leader. The only returning linebacker with any career starts, Hunter finished with 43 tackles, despite not starting every game. Four players, all with considerable potential, are competing for the two remaining slots. Junior Brian Tremblay, who played in every game last season, has the inside track to start in the middle. If ballyhooed juco transfer Joe Maningo can live up to his press clippings, he will be a lock to start at the other outside spot. Again, potential exists, but realizing it will be the growth we outlined. The unit has to gel, and, at their young age(s), learning habits and tendencies takes time, regardless of talent levels.

McCleskey and junior Ryan Gutierrez will hold down the two safety spots. The cornerback position is rather weak, as befits a segment which lost a pair of outstanding players in Nnamdi Asomugha (1st round, Oakland) and all-conference pick Jemeel Powell. Senior James Bethea, a part time 2002 starter, will move into the lineup for good. Joining him will be either junior Mike McGrath - a terror on the Bears' special teams - or sophomore Wale Forester. Chemistry is again an issue, making worthy play an unpredictable eventuality that will inconsistently establish itself.

Between the secondary and LB-corps, pass coverage will be a challenge. That fact should have opposing offensive coordinators salivating, especially if they have Cal scheduled in the first half.

The defensive line, long a strength for Cal, was devastated by graduation. The Bears lost both ends - first-team All-Conference pick Tully Banta-Cain (a 7th-round draft choice by New England) and Tom Canada - as well as four-year starter Daniel Nwangwu at tackle. Few teams could face such a rebuilding project with equanimity, much less one as plagued by depth problems as Cal.

Senior Josh Beckham, who saw limited action as a reserve, will join Alexander as the starting defensive tackles. Beckham is a solid pass-rusher, but at 270 pounds, will likely wear down against physical teams. Junior Josh Lupoi will start at one end, but the other is totally up in the air. The Bears signed seven defensive linemen in their 2003 recruiting class, including five of California's top-100 players. Three or four of these players could see significant action in their rookie campaign.

CB James Bethea