New Commitment: Bridgford
For those of you that do follow recruiting, I’m sure you’ve already heard that Cal got a football commitment. For those of you who don’t follow recruiting, then I’m telling you that Cal got a new football commitment. Why should you care?
Well, he was named Co-MVP of the Nike Camp in L.A.
For those of you that don’t know about the Nike Camp in L.A., well, it’s like… a big deal. Basically a bunch of really good high school kids converge on one location to run drills and compete against each other in front of scouts in hopes to get noticed and get scholarships.
So who is this stud Co-MVP stud? Meet QB Allan Bridgford of Mission Viejo High School.
Here’s his Scout and Rivals profile.
What do you need to know about him? Well, he’s a junior. Meaning he still has to play his senior year in high school. This is a significant point to point out. Why? Well, Tedford & Co. are very selective when it comes to offering juniors in high school. Usually JT & Co. like to wait until the recruit’s senior year to see how they fair before offering. Only a select few elite recruits get offered as juniors. The fact that Bridgford got a scholarship this early speaks volumes as to how highly regarded he must be by the Cal staff.
Want evidence of his capabilities? In Bridgford’s junior season he threw for 2500 yards, and 22 TDs on about 290 attempts. In this Scout interview, Bridgford reported was throwing at an 80% completion percentage towards the end of his junior season. For those of you who aren’t stat junkies, that’s a very very good completion percentage. 65% is considered par. Anything above 70% is great.
What’s also interesting about Bridgford is that he apparently told the Cal coaches they could stop recruiting QBs because he committed. So this brings up the question, is Cal really only taking one QB in this recruiting class? Remember, Cal recently had former Cal QB Kyle Reed transfer to San Jose State. This leaves only 4 scholarship QBs on the roster come fall (Longshore, Riley, Mansion, Sweeney). Tedford has publicly stated that he likes to recruit one QB every year. So will he recruit another QB this year to replace the loss of Reed? I wish I had an answer. Things get pretty crowded when you have 5 scholarship QBs on roster (most of which are Elite 11 QBs) when only one can play in the game. Only keeping 4 scholarship QBs should prevent too much of an overcrowding and somewhat minimize losses due to transfers. So this question of whether Cal will recruit another QB is something to chew on between filing court motions or pencil pushing.
Thoughts On Recruiting Videos
(videos available at Bridgford’s Rivals’ profile page - premium subscription required).
First: The first thing that popped out to me in his videos was his composure in the pocket. He looked relaxed. Calm. Poised. He didn’t look rattled or have jittery feet.
Second: He appeared to have good footwork. Lots of clean dropbacks without false steps. Little to none wasted lower body motion.
Third: Good eyes. Bridgford can be seen reading the field in many of his clips. His head turns from one side of the field to the other as he goes through his progressions to find the open receiver.
Fourth: Bridgford has great accuracy. Of course, I was seeing his highlight tape with all his best throws, but if he can consistently do what he does in these highlight videos I think we’ve got ourselves one incredibly accurate QB. Ball after ball was neatly placed at chest height when they needed to be or up high for the WR to go get it.
Fifth: Bridgford seems to have a very effortless throwing motion. It almost seems slow although it’s probably not. It’s just not the fastest motion but he sure does still get a decent amount of velocity on the ball despite the effortless looking throw. I imagine if he did really put his arm into the throw if needed he could really throw a bullet but the videos really didn’t show much of that. Clearly, from his videos he appears to be more of a touch passer. His balls have a nice arcing trajectory - no Kyle Boller laser beams here.
Sixth: Nice mechanics. Holds the ball well. He does seem to have a bit of a 3/4ths release though. It’s a little hard to tell in the videos. It certainly doesn’t look to be quite a 100% overhand motion, but still efficient enough.
Seventh: Great timing. Hits his WRs in stride.
Eighth: decent speed. He’s not going to beat out linebackers but he should be able to scramble for a few when the pocket breaks down.
Overall, he looks like a very very promising prospect and worthy of his Co-MVP L.A. Nike Camp title. FYI, who did Bridgford Co-MVP with at the L.A. Nike Camp? None other than #1 QB prospect Matt Barkley who is currently a Southern Cal commit (yeah, he’s so good he has his own Wiki page already).
Here’s a few more links to read and a good way to waste your employers’ time:
ESPN: Barkley and Bridgford are the most talented QBs at the L.A. Nike camp;
ESPN: Bridgford Scouting Report.
I still think you need one more QB in the stable, even though I really like this kid. I’m pretty darn sure that Carr and Joe Southwick will eventually get offers after more evaluation this fall. JT is very high on both, although I’m not too thrilled about Carr myself. Regardless, Brigford is the best of this bunch by a mile.
Comment by danzig — May 11, 2008 @ 1:00 am
Danzig, I know it’s highly unlikely that we’ll get Nunes since Brigford committed, but I’m really hoping that if we do take another QB that it’s Nunes. I was really impressed by his videos as well. I haven’t seen Carr’s videos but considering his connection with Tedford, I too wouldn’t be surprised to see Carr get an offer (if we really are recruiting 2 QBs).
Comment by HydroTech — May 11, 2008 @ 1:09 am
In my Scout interview, I reported I was throwing at a 95% clip, ran a 3 minute mile, and totally nailed one of the Olson Twins. But back when it was hot to do so.
Comment by TwistNHook — May 11, 2008 @ 7:50 am
What confuses me is why Cal should even have 4 scholarship QB’S? Honestly think about it, last year they had Riley waiting to fill in for the abysmal Longshore, yet Tedford only allowed that to happen when he realized Nate was going to blow a game against Air Force. No, Tedford needs to stop recruiting QB’s altogether until he can prove to us, the boosters, that he is willing to use them. So far, through the Ayoob and Longshore debacles, Tedford has been highly reticent to start anyone other than who he deems appropriate. No, no more QB’s for you Tedford!!!
Comment by Fed up! — May 11, 2008 @ 1:06 pm
Come on everyone, its like having Robb Nen in the bullpen when he was ON his game.
We need to get Riley a receiver or two and WIN A ROSE BOWL now! That’s what we all need to worry about!! Please!!
Comment by Dan Brenner — May 11, 2008 @ 2:02 pm
Dan Brenner, I agree, let’s just find some WRs for our QB - whether it be Riley or Longshore.
Comment by HydroTech — May 11, 2008 @ 2:19 pm
Just finished studying in our sweet new East Asian library, and I must say this news will make the walk home much better.
Comment by FroshMeat — May 11, 2008 @ 4:45 pm
I think what Fedup means is why waste 4 scholarships when you can have 3 scholarship QBs and one or two walk-ons. Which I understand, but if it were up to me I would have every single one of our QBs be scholarship caliber players. To me, using scholies on QBs is not a waste. Conversely, using 10 scholarships on RBs is.
On this team the QB position is immensely important given the play calling style, even more so than most pro-style offensive teams. In our system when the QB is off, we tend to lose games despite having 7 NFL caliber players on the field. We need to have a stable of potential stars and play the best of the bunch, not two scholie players with a real shot and three walk-ons with no shot.
In addition, we lost Reed and both of our walk-ons. Smits has gone to our Rugby team and I seriously doubt VanMeter will waste another year of eligibility with us.
Comment by danzig — May 11, 2008 @ 4:49 pm
Danzig, I’d prefer to have 5 scholarship-worthy QBs on roster. As we all know injuries can reduce the number of game-ready QBs, and for those of us that follow recruiting we also know that less than 50% of Elite 11 QBs actually pan out. And slight correction, Van Meter joined the rugby team. I believe Smits is still on roster.
Comment by HydroTech — May 11, 2008 @ 4:57 pm
Brian is the one that went to Rugby? That’s disappointing; between the two I felt he was better. Thanks for the correction Hydro.
The problem I have with the 3scholie/2walk-on system is the same problem UCLA has with it. You’ll have 2 ready scholie players and a third scholie that is a freshman. So your 3rd/4th strings are usually a junior/senior walkons (or dual threat WRs). Two QBs going down in the same year is not unthinkable and I don’t feel comfortable playing a ‘law firm’ to salvage my season if my #1&2 get hurt. I’ll bet my liver that Neuheisel/Chow will have at least 4 scholarship QBs on the roster by 2009.
Comment by danzig — May 11, 2008 @ 5:41 pm
whoops, i meant 5 scholarship QBs by 09.
Comment by danzig — May 11, 2008 @ 5:53 pm
Again, you all speak of injuries as a justification for having numerous “scholie” QB’s, but Nate was clearly injured last year. Despite having the “scholie” Riley ready and willing to fill in, Mr. Tedford knew better still! No, until the coach can prove he is willing to use underclassmen, (like a Pete Carrol or Urban Meyer) there is no use in having them! So there…
Comment by Fed up! — May 11, 2008 @ 9:57 pm
Fed Up, the issue of who to start isn’t always clear cut. It isn’t always merely an analysis of who is injured and who is not. Talent has to come into consideration too. As discussed many times on this blog, Tedford stated that Longshore had a greater understanding of the offense than Riley. Meaning despite Longshore’s injury, Tedford felt Longshore put the team in a better chance to win than Riley due to Longshore’s superior grasp of the offense. Whether you like it or not, that seems like a very reasonable reason for Tedford’s decision. I think it’s something we’re just going to have to accept as fact since he does know more about football than all of us combined and knows his QBs better than we do.
Comment by HydroTech — May 12, 2008 @ 11:18 am
Lest this blog be accused once again of hosting a Longshore love-in, I’d like to step in with a counter-point, that being that while we can certainly understand the reasons behind Tedford’s decision, and that such reasons can certainly be valid ones, I can’t help but look at the results on the field and conclude that Tedford made the wrong decision. Riley should have played more, and played a lot earlier than the Air Force game.
Of course, I was not invited to practices last fall, and can’t speak to how each QB may have performed leading up to each Saturday. My guess is that Longshore continued to play well enough that, despite his injury, Tedford still felt more comfortable with Nate starting. For whatever reason, Monday thru Friday did not translate to 4th quarter on Saturday. I can’t blame Tedford for trusting his instincts (he’s been right often enough before), but I think he should have seen this pattern developing sooner. Personally, I think Riley would have made a great relief pitcher last season, giving Nate a rest in the second or third quarter, with Tedford maybe going with the hot hand for the 4th, as he did vs. Air Force.
Comment by ragnarok — May 12, 2008 @ 2:46 pm
Given Longshore’s performance over the course of the season, one would have to conclude that Riley was downright atrocious if Tedford felt Longshore gave the Bears the better chance to win. We know this simply IS NOT TRUE given his performances during limited playing time. We need to look more at on field performance than just what a coach says. If you think Longshore should have played the entire Stanford game, I am afraid there is little if any hope for you Hydro. Your insistence on defending Longshore and the coaches decision to stick with him, despite mounting losses, a clearly demoralized team, and grumblings from the receivers, defies all logic. Statistically there is no defending Longshore. 1 td pass to 17 int’s in the 4th quarter is a glaring stat that simply cannot be ignored under the auspices of “Tedford knows best.”
Clearly there were many issues with last years team, but the root cause always leads back to Longshore.
Comment by Fed Up! — May 13, 2008 @ 1:02 pm
Just to hit home the point: YOU DO NOT WIN FOOTBALL GAMES WHEN YOU GIVE UP 17+ turnovers in the 4th quarter. YOU DON’T!
I would like you to do some research on any football team, collegiate or professional, who had as many 4th Q turnovers and fared well. Save your time, you won’t find any.
Devastating QB errors in 4th quarter + uninspired, winded defense (due to so many turnovers) = 7-6.
Comment by Fed Up! — May 13, 2008 @ 1:20 pm
FedUp, as I have explained many times. I am not against reasonable criticism against Longshore. Some Cal fans made many generalized statements against Longshore that were misguided and misplaced. But this is not to say that some blame cannot be placed on Longshore. Some blame certainty does fall on his shoulders but I’ve merely just been trying to open people’s eyes to the fact that less blame falls on his shoulders than most people think and how other factors lead to his INTs and poor 4th Quarter TD/INT ratio such as other personnel mistakes, and game situations (3rd and longs, 4th and longs, must-pass situations, etc.). I will admit it does seem to appear that Tedford made a mistake not playing Riley early. I am merely trying to *explain why* Tedford justified his decision since so many Cal fans seem to have not heard/read his quote explaining his reasoning.
Now about that 1 TD/14 INT stat - surely if there is no hope for me, then if you truly want to base your claim that Longshore is the root of all problems on that stat then there is no hope for you. Such a stat is somewhat revealing but largely ignores what else happens in a game which can lead to those INTs. Now, FedUp, I assume you went to Cal. So I figure you’re smart and can do better than this. I’m just asking you open up your mind a bit to try and see/consider what else can lead to Longshore’s problems. Longshore isn’t responsible for *all* of his problems or even the team’s problems. Maybe some, but not all, and certainty less than what most might think.
This is my final comment on this issue. It’s time to move on, FedUp. Time to move on.
Go Bears!
Comment by HydroTech — May 13, 2008 @ 1:24 pm
moveon.org?
Comment by RR — May 13, 2008 @ 2:28 pm