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Pac-12 Football: Every team’s most important newcomers for 2021

By Dante Pryor

Dec 18, 2020; Los Angeles, California, USA; Oregon Ducks players pose with trophy after the Pac-12 Championship against the Southern California Trojans at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Oregon defeated USC 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 18, 2020; Los Angeles, California, USA; Oregon Ducks players pose with trophy after the Pac-12 Championship against the Southern California Trojans at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Oregon defeated USC 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 5, 2020; Berkeley, California, USA; California Golden Bears quarterback Chase Garbers (7) throws the ball against the Oregon Ducks during the third quarter at California Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 5, 2020; Berkeley, California, USA; California Golden Bears quarterback Chase Garbers (7) throws the ball against the Oregon Ducks during the third quarter at California Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

California

In year five of California head coach Justin Wilcox’s tenure, Golden Bears fans know what they are getting. The Bears are going to play physical defense, have a strong secondary but fall short offensively.

California quarterback Chase Garbers is a solid, steady veteran quarterback that has not benefitted from plus athletes on the perimeter. That changes this season. The Bears identified and brought two of the most explosive offensive players to campus since Keenan Allen and DeSean Jackson.

Wide receiver J. Michael Sturdivant and tight end Jermaine Terry have an opportunity to play early and give the Bears some offensive punch this fall.

  • J. Michael Sturdivant, WR: It’s hard not to love wide receivers who run track. Sturdivant ran the 100 and 200 meters and competed in the triple jump while at Marcus High School in Texas. Cal offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave has to love Sturdivant’s 6-foot-3 frame. There is room for Sturdivant to carry 20 more pounds and not lose any explosion either. Sturdivant tracks the deep ball well and is explosive after the catch.
  • Jermaine Terry, TE: Musgrave and the offensive staff are excited about Terry because the Bears like to run two tight ends a lot. Having a tight end like Terry gives the offense tremendous versatility. Terry is too big for a corner or safety to cover and is too polished a route runner for a linebacker to cover. Wilcox has to be happy he’s not the one game-planning for Terry defensively.
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