Contra Costa Times: Cal's Best reminds some people of Reggie Bush

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Jonathan Okanes

Nobody knows what Cal tailback Jahvid Best will accomplish this season, but there is a great deal of anticipation.  Best gave fans a taste of his game-breaking potential last season as a freshman. He gained at least 10 yards on 21 of his 57 touches, scored two touchdowns rushing and one receiving, and ranked second in the Pacific-10 Conference in kickoff returns by averaging 27 yards. He is expected to be a focal point of Cal's offense, and that has people wondering about the type of numbers he can put up over the course of the season. But there are unknowns, as well. A hip injury sidelined Best for the final three games last season, and the Bears are limiting his reps during training camp as a precaution. And even before the injury, some questioned whether Best was durable enough to carry a heavy workload. The answers will start coming in the season opener against Michigan State on Aug. 30, but the Bears are brimming with confidence that Best will be an impact player. "He gives us the flexibility to do a lot of different things," running-backs coach Ron Gould said. "We have a lot of backs, so we're not going to have one guy take 500 reps in a game. We're going to spread the wealth, but we'll definitely find ways to get him the ball." There was a buzz about Best soon after he set foot on campus last year. Observers gushed about his speed, explosiveness and work ethic. Then Best demonstrated flashes of his game-changing ability during the season, starting with a 34-yard run against Tennessee in the opener and a 64-yard touchdown run the next week at Colorado State.

Coach Jeff Tedford said he plans to get the ball in Best's hands 25 times per game. Best will be the starting tailback and could return kicks and punts.  "Everybody has talent, but not everybody has a gift," Gould said. "He has a gift. God blesses everybody with some kind of ability, but everything he does is effortless." Best has drawn comparisons to Heisman Trophy winner Reggie Bush. Best acknowledges the similarities in their games but isn't buying the comparison. "I can see how we're similar, but I haven't proved myself,'' Best said. "This is still like a rookie season to me. I can't be put in the same sentence as a guy like that. Hopefully, I can one day. I take it as a compliment, but I think it's a little bit of a stretch right now."