Oakland Tribune: Cal cubs already pouncing

Hard-hitting linebackers Felder, Follett make freshman All-America team

By Dave Newhouse, STAFF WRITER 

BERKELEY — For every end, there is a beginning. And for Anthony Felder and Zack Follett, Cal's promising linebackers, their launching point was being named to the 2005 Freshman All-America team. And what's really promising, Rivals.com singled out two true freshmen in honoring Felder and Follett. Their impact at Cal has been immediate, and they are prospective three-year starters. "We're roommates, and that's all we talk about, that when our time comes, how much fun it's going to be," Follett said. "We know how bright our future can be, and so we push each other, knowing we both can be in the league (NFL) one day." That would be their ultimate football ending. But, first, there is another, more distinctive, All-America status playing on their minds. "With the taste of being Freshman All-America," Felder said, "the next thing to reach for would be all-around first-team All-America. It's definitely a goal we both have, but it's not something we're going to focus on." Felder added that the freshman selection will motivate him to work harder. Follett believes that it "puts us both on the map," and that more will be expected from them. He sees that as a positive. "I love their intensity," Cal coach Jeff Tedford said. "They're great kids, they have great work ethic, they love the game. They fly around and play the game the way it's supposed to be played, and they have fun playing it." Felder is from Shoreline, Wash. Coming out of O'Dea High School, Rivals.com rated him the No. 6 inside linebacker in the country. Follett, from Clovis High, was listed at No. 9 inside linebacker by ESPN.com. Felder picked Cal after taking a recruiting trip to LSU. When Cal played at Washington in September, he heard jeering from Huskies fans. Follett was headed for Oregon until Cal changed his mind.

"Both of them are very similar," Tedford said. "They both can run, they can get to the ball, and they will hit you. Those are great attributes to have in a linebacker." Though spot players now, the 6-foot-3, 225-pound Felder is ninth on the team in tackles with 35, and the 6-2, 230-pound Follett is 10th with 29. They have three combined sacks, while Follett has both forced and recovered a fumble, and broken up two passes.

There is a Dick Butkus-like nastiness in their play. Felder has been restrained by teammates from on-the-field confrontations. Follett has three 15-yard penalties for over-zealousness, including head-butting a helmet-less LenDale White while the USC running back was on the ground. Tedford suspended Follett for the first quarter of the Big Game over the White incident. "He felt horrible about that," Tedford said. "He couldn't sleep for a long time and came into my office to apologize. It was a freshman mistake where frustration showed a little bit. I know that won't happen again."

Follett also apologized to White. "I told him that's not my style," Follett said. "I got caught up in the moment. When you've got 80,000 people, it's a whole another feeling. I've got to adapt to it." Felder and Follett were asked what they admire most about each other as linebackers. "Zack is relentless and fearless," Felder said. "He's never going to look for anywhere to hide. If an offensive lineman is coming his way, he's not going to step aside." "I've never seen a player I've played with like Anthony, with such agility and able to stay on his feet, and having a nose for the ball," Follett said. And what kind of tandem will they make the next three years? "It will be two guys having a nose for the ball," Follett said. "With him bringing the pain and me bringing the pain, it's going to be a good combination."

BEAR TRACKS: Tedford projected that Scott Smith and Erik Robertson, two offensive line starters who sat out the Big Game with leg injuries, will play in the Dec. 22 Las Vegas Bowl against BYU. ... Starting defensive tackle Matt Malele is out for the rest of the season after having knee surgery. ... Another promising Cal freshman, wide receiver Jesse Canada from Monrovia, has withdrawn from school. "He has family issues," Tedford said. Canada was rated the 25th-best wideout in the nation by SuperPrep.