Contra Costa Times: For Cal to realize BCS dream, one of of their QB candidates must step up

By Jay Heater

BERKELEY - Sophomore wide receiver DeSean Jackson used his considerable skills to separate himself from Cal's defense during a drill at Memorial Stadium. Heading toward the end zone without the ball, Jackson looked back and was ... waiting ... waiting ... waiting. Such is life in Strawberry Canyon, where coach Jeff Tedford has amassed a Miami-like roster of skill position players ... guys who are a threat to score from anywhere on the field. They only need the ball. For whatever reason, the Cal quarterback factory -- a production line that has produced the likes of Craig Morton, Steve Bartkowski, Rich Campbell, Kyle Boller and Aaron Rodgers -- has picked a confounding time to develop a glitch.

Ranked No. 9 in The Associated Press preseason poll, Cal is expected to make a run at a Bowl Championship Series berth -- if it can find a quarterback. On the grounds is Tedford, considered one of the nation's top quarterback coaches, and a bevy of raw materials. They include:

• Joe Ayoob, a former JC Gridwire All-American.

• Nate Longshore, a Parade, SuperPrep and PrepStar All-American.

• Kyle Reed, ranked as one of the top quarterbacks in the nation as a senior at McClymonds High School.

• Kevin Riley, the 2005 Gatorade high school Player of the Year in Oregon.

Throw in blue-collar quarterback Steve Levy, who led the Bears to victories in the Big Game and Las Vegas Bowl last season, and the collection of talent, on paper, is impressive.

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