Golden Nuggets: Isi Sofele's Competition at Running Back is Dwindling

by Berkelium97 on Mar 24, 2011 1:30 PM PDT in Golden Nuggets

With only five days until spring practice begins, JO previews the battle for running back. Cal's stable of running backs has been hit by a wave of injuries, leaving the incumbent Sofele with less competition than anticipated. The fullbacks are all healthy, however, so we should see some good competition for the top spot.

Sofele certainly has the speed to make plays, especially out on the perimeter. And he has good lateral movement so he can make a move inside and get to the outside. The question is whether he can do it enough over the course of an entire game and ultimately a full season.

The Bears have plenty of backs in their program, all of whom came to Cal highly regarded. The problem this spring is most of them aren’t healthy, so Sofele won’t have much competition. The one player who could push Sofele and is healthy is Covaughn DeBoskie-Johnson, who is recovered from a minor knee injury suffered near the end of last season. Sofele beat out DeBoskie-Johnson for the backup job last season, but DeBoskie-Johnson still appears to have the combination of size and athleticism to make him a real candidate for the job.

Dasarte Yarnway will miss the spring as he recovers from ACL surgery. No recent update on Trajuan Briggs, whose status for the spring has been in doubt because of ankle and back injuries.

Whatever happens this spring, the picture could change in the fall with the arrival of Brendan Bigelow. A dynamic athlete, Tedford believes Bigelow can compete right away as a true freshman. But the question with Bigelow is his health. He tore knee ligaments twice and hasn’t played since his junior year of high school. Will he be healthy, and if he is, will he be the same player?

After the jump JO previews the WR position and Monty talks about preparations for next season.

Football

JO previews the wide receiver position for spring ball. We're stacked with talent at WR, but who will be passing to them?

Basketball

Faraudo talks with Monty about some final thoughts on this season and his expectations for his team during the offseason and next season

Rugby

The underclassmen defeated Sierra 35-7.

Lacrosse

The Bears defeated Drexel 9-8.

Gymnastics

Madisyn O'Brien was named to the All-Pac-10 Second Team.

Golf

The fourth-ranked Bears finished 13th at the Battle at Rancho Bernardo Inn.

Soccer

With Major League Soccer about to start another season, 15 Bears fill out spots on rosters (including 6 from the 2010 team).

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Newcomer CJ Anderson might be his top competitor this spring.

CJA is already on campus? Thats great news.

by JustBear on Mar 24, 2011 1:40 PM PDT reply actions

I double-checked: It's not clear if he's here

A poster on BI who has been reporting from the unofficial workouts was saying CJ might be the 1a or 2 option this fall, but I’m not sure if this is based on what he saw from CJ during the workouts (which implies he’s on campus) or if he is just familiar with his tape (which suggests CJ will be here this fall).

"Some people watch adult videos on their computer - I go to YouTube and watch Jahvid Best highlight clips. That’s what gets me going."- Jim Schwartz, Detroit Lions head coach

by Berkelium97 on Mar 24, 2011 1:53 PM PDT up reply actions

He’s not at Cal right now from what I know.

by Cali49a on Mar 24, 2011 2:25 PM PDT up reply actions

Agreed. Everything I’ve read/heard suggests that there was some issue with getting qualified in time for spring and that he won’t report until fall camp.

Old Toothwrangler

by Kodiak on Mar 24, 2011 4:31 PM PDT up reply actions

CJA will be enrolling this fall. When he and I spoke CJ comes to campus for voluntary workouts.

http://www.californiagoldenblogs.com/2011/3/7/2033840/interview-with-new-california-golden-bear-running-back-cj-anderson

#Dominate

by solarise on Mar 25, 2011 7:03 AM PDT up reply actions

i could just ask him…

http://www.youtube.com/user/HANDSOMElifeOFswing - Cal Football Highlights+ More Bay area sports

by 4Ever Golden on Mar 25, 2011 2:12 AM PDT up reply actions

CJ is a real friendly. Tell CJ we love him @ CGB!

http://www.californiagoldenblogs.com/2011/3/8/2035860/interview-with-new-california-golden-bear-running-back-cj-anderson

#Dominate

by solarise on Mar 25, 2011 7:05 AM PDT up reply actions

yea he is, he roomed with one of my Best friends at Laney. Were facebook buds haha

http://www.youtube.com/user/HANDSOMElifeOFswing - Cal Football Highlights+ More Bay area sports

by 4Ever Golden on Mar 25, 2011 8:09 PM PDT up reply actions

Two things about the RBs

First, I don’t know how much it really matters that Isi is emerging as the top guy in spring with so many other guys injured. What matters is fall.

Second, I feel hella sorry for Briggs. It seems like dude’s been in the program longer than Kevin Riley, but has been injured every single year. I really hope he recovers and at least gets a shot at the field this year.

I'm thinking of having a little party down in Newport.

by SoCal Oski on Mar 24, 2011 1:46 PM PDT reply actions

You mean Yarnway, right? Not Briggs?

Briggs just got here last year; Yarnway and CDJ have both been here longer and Yarnway’s been plagued with injuries since arriving.

by BleedinBlue on Mar 24, 2011 2:55 PM PDT up reply actions

No, I meant Briggs

Maybe it’s all the talk about him, but it seems as if I have been hearing his name for about four years now.

Probably just my imperfect perception.

Briggs really only got here last year? Dang.

I'm thinking of having a little party down in Newport.

by SoCal Oski on Mar 24, 2011 4:14 PM PDT up reply actions

haha yea, briggs was a redshirt freshman last year, he has plenty of time here. I think all those Marshawn comparisons added a few years to his name…

by ucsdgoldenbear on Mar 24, 2011 10:50 PM PDT up reply actions

no, hes gonna be a redshirt freshman this coming season.
he hasnt even seen a field yet.

by JustBear on Mar 24, 2011 11:01 PM PDT up reply actions

Briggs was an early enrollee

But yeah, it still seems a bit odd that you feel like he’s been here for as long as Riley. I believe he was a frosh in high school when Riley was a frosh at Cal (2006-2007 season).

www.bearswithfangs.com

by bearswithfangs on Mar 24, 2011 6:49 PM PDT reply actions

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