Marvin Jones will be leading a corp of wide receivers that must improve upon their production from last season. Last season, Jones who had 43 catches for 651 yards with 6 touchdowns was spectacular at times, but at other times would disappear. Jones must become more consistent and emerge as a force at the wide receiver position. Cal has not had a 1000 yards receiver since the Dasean Jackson in 06' and desperately needs a breakout season from Jones.
Jeremy Ross also must emerge and improve from last season.who had 22 catches for 344 yards last season. Ross is the only true vertical threat of the returning receivers and is a physical specimen. If he can improve his route running and hands, then Ross could emerge as a very viable number two option for the Bears.
If Ross is unable to improve, then Alex Lagemann may be the player that steps up in his place. Lagemann had a very good spring and showed good hands and route running in the spring scrimmage. I think Lagemann may be one the more underrated players on the team as his physical ability doesn't stand out but seems to have very reliable hands and ability to get open.
Michael Calvin is also a talent and came in as a highly touted recruit but injuries and confidence issues have slowed him down.
The Bears also have a group of recruits coming that may also make an impact. Keenan Allen is the highest rated recruit to ever come to Cal and I would expect Allen to make an immediate impact. Allen is a big receiver at 6'3, 195 lbs and is athletic enough that he may play safety as well. The scouting report on espn.com for Allen reads as follows,
This guy is a really good football player. Allen is built like a wide receiver and this is what his college position will likely be, but he plays everywhere -- running back, corner, safety and he is a gifted return specialist. For a player with his height and build, he is very fluid and flexible in the hips. He possesses unique open-field run skills and is asked to carry the football every bit as much as he's asked to catch it. Is a lean player with a lanky frame and very good change-of-direction skills. Has wiggle and very good stop-and-start ability for a taller prospect. Shows great vision as a runner and return man. He can make defenders miss and runs well too. Allen probably isn't a true burner, but he has very competitive open-field speed, despite lacking explosive acceleration. He builds speed, but possesses exceptional ball skills. Is very comfortable with the ball in his hands and always wants it. Snags quickly with his soft hands and has the ability to extend above his head and use his frame and long arms to win in a crowd. Is a very tough and feisty player with a salty demeanor as evidenced by his production at corner in run support. He would be a definite candidate to find a home at safety with his nose for the ball and willingness to fill the lane coming forward, but would likely struggle at corner turning and running with smaller, quicker wide receivers in coverage. Allen is a versatile player who does not seem out of place at any position he lines up at. He gives coaches a lot of options at the next level and his return ability is outstanding."
I expect Allen to compete for the number two receiver position as soon as he enrolls and it wouldn't surprise me if he starts right away. I would look for Allen to start midway through the season, but it almost guarenteed that he will get playing time right away.
Tevin Carter is also another very talented recruit who may contribute right away as well. Carter is another big receiver that stands at 6'3, 185 lbs. Carter possesses all of the physical tools to succeed but will need to improve upon his route running in order to make an early impact at Cal. His scouting report on espn.com reads as follows,
Carter is a big, physically-imposing prospect with terrific measurables and a competitive demeanor. He has the frame to fill out and become a physical, strong prospect versus press coverage and in the red zone. Has a nice combination of speed and quickness given his long frame and shows some fluidity and acceleration both off the line and after the catch. He explodes off the line and builds speed quickly. He shows good quickness and acceleration after the catch and is elusive enough to make the first defender miss and then strong enough to ward off tacklers, break tackles and extend the play. He shows very good straight-line speed for his size, but his height makes him as much of a vertical threat as anything else. He does an excellent job of reaching to pluck the ball at its highest point, shows good leaping ability and flashes some acrobatic playmaking ability in traffic. He also shows a nice feel for the sideline and has good awareness outside the numbers on out cuts and comeback routes. He is a red-zone threat and a go-to guy inside the 20-yard line. Hands are soft and he tucks the ball quickly. Very natural pass-catcher with good focus. Carter can accelerate well, once he gets going and also tracks the ball well for his size when working against smaller, quicker defensive backs. Uses his size to position himself, push off and separate. However, Carter has some work to do as a route runner. Gears down too much at the top of the stem, telegraphs intentions and rounds off cuts. He possesses the tools to succeed in this area; he just needs experience and development. Overall, Carter has the physical tools and measurables to become a playmaker at the next level. He is also a tenacious blocker that takes pride in this role."
Kaelin Clay and Terrence Montgomery are likely blue shirt candidates and both fall into the mold of smaller, quicker receiver, similar to former Cal receivers Robert Jordan and Lavelle Hawkins. They are both electric once they get the ball in their hands and if they do contribute early on, it will likely be on special teams.
Coleman Edmond is another interesting prospect. He is a physical specimen and dominated JUCO ball in California this past season. Cal beat out UCLA for Edmond's services and will likely contribute right away as he is an electric special teams player and is an extremely fast receiver.
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