Cal offensive line preview: New faces will see playing time

If you come here seeking answers to all of your Cal O-line questions, you will leave disappointed. Coach Dykes has revealed his starters, but we still have a lot of questions. Will our new center snap the ball properly? Will Cal have issues protecting the outside? Can they get enough push to allow the Bears to break out for more explosive plays?

Here's a (very rough) guide to the Bears' offensive line, in (something resembling) depth chart form.

Left Tackle

SR Brian Farley #59

Beginning on Jared Goff's blind side, we find senior Brian Farley. Farley has played in 16 games at Cal, including all 12 last year, but he's only made two starts in that time. That will all change soon as he assumes the starting right tackle job as a fifth-year senior. He and Stephen Moore have flipped sides occasionally during camp, but expect him to spend most of his time on the left side.

SO Aaron Cochran #75

Cochran has impressed the coaches while giving them a chance to rest the recovering Stephen Moore in fall camp, but he's also an example of the lack of depth along the line. He made five appearances as a redshirt freshman last year, and will have to be prepared to step up into a bigger role should there be any injuries ahead of him.

Left Guard

JR Chris Borrayo #66

Left guard is another example of an experienced starter with a green backup. Chris Borrayo has made 16 starts in two seasons with the starting job, including 11 games in 2014. Borrayo may be the most decorated of the linemen, as Phil Steele named him an All-Pac 12 third-teamer last season and a preseason second-teamer this fall.

Center

JR Dominic Granado #55

The JuCo transfer joins the Bears from Golden West College, and has jumped right in to a couple of depth chart battles for playing time. He seems to have established himself as the starting center, although Dykes & Co had him at right guard and Rigsbee at center for much of camp.

RS FR Addison Ooms #57

Behind Rigsbee is Addison Ooms, a preferred walk-on who redshirted his freshman year and has now firmly established himself as the second string center. With the importance of the center position in Tony Franklin's offense, he will have the benefit of learning from Granado as he gains experience with the team.

Right Guard

SR Jordan Rigsbee #73

Jordan Rigsbee holds the honor of most durable Cal Bear, as he is the only player to have started every game in the last three seasons. He's moved around a lot during that time, making 16 starts at LG, 12 at RT, and eight at center. Though he entered camp as the starting right guard, he slid back over to center to replace Matt Cochran after his surprise departure before returning to this spot on the newest depth chart. That should clear up any worries about his history of problems snapping in the shotgun.

FR Semisi Uluave  #58

Thanks to the lack of depth along the O-line, true freshman Semisi Uluave is a candidate to see meaningful snaps as a true freshman. Scout rated him the #14 offensive guard in his recruiting class, and the Hawaiian brings with him All-State honors from his senior season.

Right Tackle

JR Steven Moore #64

On the right end is Steven Moore. The junior had surgery on both of his shoulders over the offseason, but looks to be healthy for the start of the season. Moore owns 23 career starts, including all twelve games last year, making him the second most experienced offensive lineman behind Jordan Rigsbee. He also has experience at right guard, the position he played as a redshirt freshman.

RS FR Kamryn Bennett #72

Bennett was previously listed as a guard, but will move out to right tackle behind Steven Moore. A lot of these guys have shuffled around in the past, so it's very possible we'll see some mixing and matching as the line begins to gel.

SO Vinnie Johnson #78

The other sophomore competing here is Vinnie Johnson, a versatile young player who also has some experience as a guard. He saw the field in six games last year, and reports are that he's gotten bigger and stronger in the offseason. Cochran seems more established as the second stringer, but Johnson has reportedly been making a strong case for himself as well.