Ayoob has inside track to become Cal starter

By Dave Newhouse, STAFF WRITER The Argus
BERKELEY — As the rite of spring began Monday for Cal football, coach Jeff Tedford strongly indicated that the starting quarterback spot is City College of San Francisco transfer Joe Ayoob's job to lose.
"He can do it all, really," Tedford said of the 6-foot-3, 215-pound junior from San Rafael. "He's very athletic, can throw on the run, has a strong arm, has touch. He's very elusive, and a tough, tough competitor.
"We're going to be patient in the spring because we're going to feed him a lot of information, work a lot on his fundamentals and mechanics, make sure he's sound.
"And I see him needing to be patient, and not take off too early in the pocket, because the speed of the game changes at this level."
Ayoob, who operated primarily out of the shotgun at CCSF, will mainly be right behind the center at Cal. Freshman Nate Longshore, perceived as Ayoob's chief competition, was described by Tedford as someone who needs to increase his speed and mobility, two negatives not seen in Ayoob.
Tedford is uncertain whether perennially injured wide receiver Chase Lyman's appeal for a sixth year of eligibility will be granted by the NCAA, though the coach expects an answer soon.
Tedford must replace seven of 11 defensive starters.
"Even though the focus is on the quarterback position," the coach said, "defensively, you're looking at not so much rebuilding, but putting new people into those places."
Thomas DeCoud shifts from cornerback to safety. Tedford is anxious to see the maturation of defensive linemen Philip Mbakogu, Albert Ma'afala and Fahim Mujaahid Abd Allah (formerly Justin Johnson), and linebackers Worrell Williams and Marlin Simmons.
Tedford expects two more transfers, linebacker Desmond Bishop and defensive end Nu'u Tafisi, to have an immediate impact.