Position battles

Brandon Hampton is leading in the battle for starting cornerback (replacing Daymeion Hughes to the Colts) alongside Syd’Quan Thompson over redshirt freshmen Brandon Jones, Charles Amadi, and Darian Hagan due to his on-field experience as a rover.

Worrell Williams is securing the starting spot at middle linebacker (replacing Desmond Bishop to the Packers) over Greg Van Hoesen.

Kevin Riley and Kyle Reed are still fighting for the #2 quarterback spot. Apparently, the primary backup will be named after Thursday’s scrimmage.

Early fall camp injury reports

According to the CCTimes’ Jon Okanes:

• “Redshirt freshman running back James Montgomery sat out [Saturday-Sunday] practice after sustaining a concussion late in practice Friday.” … “Tedford said backup running back James Montgomery should return to practice in the next couple of days.”
• “Starting free safety Thomas DeCoud practiced in only limited fashion as he nurses a twinge in his hamstring.”
• “Defensive tackle Derrick Hill continues to miss time because of back spasms.” … “There still is no word on when defensive lineman Derrick Hill will be ready. He hasn’t practiced yet because of back spasms.”
• “Offensive lineman Mike Gibson has missed the past few days because of a hamstring injury.”

I’m hoping that DeCoud’s injury is minor, since he is an integral part of the defense at safety. Also, we need Hill to get on the field to show his stuff for the upcoming season with the loss of Brandon Mebane.

Meanwhile, Tennessee running back LaMarcus Coker was suspended indefinitely last week for violating the team’s substance abuse policy. He was competing for the starting spot with Arian Foster.

Players in the news

QB Nate Longshore has been added to the Manning Award (college football’s top quarterback including bowl performance) watch list. The last three winners of the award were JaMarcus Russell, Vince Young, and Matt Leinart.

WR Robert Jordan has switched his jersey to #2. This was his number in high school and also the number of cousin/housemate JaMarcus Russell (Raiders, #1 draft pick) at LSU.

DeSean featured on the cover of S&S (thanks Bret M)

WR/PR DeSean Jackson was featured yesterday on ESPN’s College Football Live program:

Intro: “He is already one of the most electrifying players in college football. Coming up on College Football Live we’re going to tell you why Cal’s DeSean Jackson might be about to get even more dangerous. Rules changes going Cal’s way on College Football Live…”

Referring to the change moving the kickoff to 30 yard line: “One of the thing about the kickoff return is you often hear coaches say ‘I don’t know if I want to use my star on the kickoff returns. I don’t want to get him hurt.’ Cal… because DeSean Jackson is such an electricifying punt returner, and in theory he’s going to have more opportunity to return and not have balls driven into the end zone, it looks as if DeSean Jackson is going to get a little time as kickoff returner as well, making that already explosive Bear offense even more dangerous.” – Reese Davis [/JY]

Cal #12 in preseason Coaches Poll

Cal has been voted #12 in the 2007 preseason USA Today’s Coaches Poll, which was released this morning:

Note that USC is at #1, Tennessee is at #15, and UCLA is at #17. Here’s the “breakdown” blurb on Cal:

12. California (10-3)

Points: 763. Previous ranking: 14. Outlook: With QB Nate Longshore throwing to standout WR DeSean Jackson, and LB Zack Follett patrolling defense, the Bears could be primed for a BCS breakthrough. A reworked defensive front could be key. Cal gets Tennessee and Southern California at home and travels to UCLA. Opens: Sept. 1 vs. No. 15 Tennessee (ABC, 8 ET).

Forsett and more

Justin Forsett, this year’s featured back, is getting primed for a spectacular season. The Chronicle reports:

Between the end of spring camp April 14 and reporting day for training camp Sunday, Cal’s new starting tailback Justin Forsett has taken off only three days, and the benefits of his work ethic were obvious . . . The 5-foot-8 senior has added 10 pounds of muscle to jump above the 200-pound mark. Meanwhile, he’s managed to maintain his 4.4-seconds speed in the 40-yard dash and added flexibility with Pilates classes.

The article also speaks briefly of senior safety Thomas Decoud receiving attention from the East-West Shrine Game and NFL scouts, Zack Follett getting tiger stripe highlights, and Alex Mack moving back to center (he was shifted around the offensive line in the off-season).