Davis Webb named Cal's starting quarterback – SFGate

Three practices into training camp, Cal named Texas Tech transfer Davis Webb its starting quarterback.

The announcement, made in a news release, allows Webb plenty of snaps to grow comfortable with a young receiving corps. It also provides new offensive coordinator Jake Spavital more time to cater his offense to the strong-armed Texan’s strengths, especially valuable given that the Bears leave Aug. 20 for their season opener in Sydney.

That Webb beat out returnees Chase Forrest and Ross Bowers and freshmen Max Gilliam and Victor Viramontes comes as little surprise. Unlike his competitors, only Forrest of whom has played in a college game, Webb boasts a proven pedigree. He threw for 5,557 yards and 46 touchdowns, with 22 interceptions, in 23 games for the Red Raiders. ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. ranks him as the nation’s No. 1 senior quarterback prospect.

Outside of minor differences in terminology, the spread attack Webb ran at Texas Tech is basically identical to the offense Spavital is installing. In practice this week, while competing against two players with a solid understanding of the system (Forrest and Bowers), Webb had the keenest grasp of communication and plays.

He regularly found receivers wide open down field in 11-on-11 drills. Seldom, if ever, was there a procedural problem when Webb was behind center.

“I think with Davis, he understands what we’re doing and has a good feel for it,” Dykes said after practice Wednesday. “He’s a new guy to our program, but in some ways, probably has a bit more experience doing some of the things that we’re doing, and the way that we communicate is something that he’s been doing for three years.”

Webb is tasked with leading a new-look offense. In addition to the record-setting Jared Goff, the Bears lost their six top receivers — including NFL draft picks Trevor Davis (fifth round, Packers) and Kenny Lawler (seventh round, Seahawks) — from a passing attack that ranked third nationally. Running back Daniel Lasco went in the sixth round to the Saints.

Still, Webb has enough quality pieces around him to put up the gaudy numbers Cal fans have come to expect from their quarterbacks. The Bears return four of their five starting offensive linemen. Freshman Melquise Stovall, who enrolled early and had 128 receiving yards in the spring game, is a playmaker out of the slot. Five-star receiver Demetris Robertson is another freshman poised to make a big contribution.

Having Webb affords Forrest, Bowers, Gilliam and Viramontes another year to develop. At the end of spring ball, before Webb joined the fray, Forrest had a slim lead over Bowers to start at the position.

Connor Letourneau is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: [email protected]. Twitter: @Con_Chron

Let’s block ads! (Why?)