Cal Football: Focused on 2023, Players Are Not Sweating the Demise of the Pac-12

There is anger among fans and alums and hysteria in the media.

But many of those likely to be most directly impacted by the likely dissolution of the Pac-12 Conference after this season seems blissfully focused on other things.

At least for now.

“Honestly, I feel like that doesn’t pertain to me right now. We still have a whole season to play,” Cal sophomore running back Jaydn Ott said after Monday’s practice. “I have an upcoming season to worry about. I’m not thinking about what’s going to happen after. I’ll think about it once it comes.”

*** In the video above, Cal offensive coordinator Jake Spavital provides an update on the quarterback competition in the video above, discussing the performance of Sam Jackson V, Ben Finley, Fernando Mendoza and Luke Bottari.

Word ripped through the college football world on Friday when Oregon and Washington announced their plan to follow USC and UCLA into the Big Ten, and Arizona, Arizona State and Utah joined Colorado in a defection to the Big 12.

Those moves will happen a year from now, leaving the Pac-12 with just four remaining schools — Cal, Stanford, Oregon State and Washington State — pending further changes.

Cal’s players are not fretting over the upheaval, which could deprive the Bears of their status as a Power-5 conference member. All four we talked with after Monday’s practice said their attention is strictly on the team’s season-opening game at North Texas on Sept. 2.

Ott, perhaps the team’s best player, picked Cal over scholarship offers from nine other Pac-12 schools (including USC and Oregon) plus national powerhouse Georgia coming out of high school. Asked directly if he might look elsewhere a year from now, depending on Cal’s situation, Ott deflected.

“I have no thoughts pertaining to the Pac-4 or whatever it’s going to be,” he said. “Right now it’s still the Pac-12.”

Junior wide receiver Taj Davis, who has played well in camp and had two touchdown catches on Monday, came to Cal this year as a transfer from Washington. He said he’s had no conversations with his ex-Husky teammates, who will be facing the likes of Ohio State and Michigan in 2024.

“Honestly, no reaction at all,” Davis said. “I’m really just focused on this team and everything we have going on this season. I’m actually in an off mode — cut off all my social media. Obviously, I heard about it. I’m just locked in on camp.”

Freshman wide receiver Nyziah Hunter, a four-star prospect from Salinas, seems not to be fretting that he picked Cal over Washington. All his energy right now is directed toward learning the offense and making an impression in practice every day.

“Winning games — that’s what we’re focused on,” Hunter said.

He said he expects to stay in Berkeley regardless of what conference winds up being the Bears’ home a year from now.

“I’m not worried at all. I’m gonna be here for the next four years — nothing’s going to change,” he said. “I picked this place for a bunch of reasons. It feels like home. I love being a Bear.”

Junior wide receiver Jeremiah Hunter (no relation to Nyziah) said he was not caught off guard by Friday’s announcements, noting the trend toward realignment in recent seasons. He said he’s confident the Cal administration is working to find the best possible landing spot.

“We’re not really worried about it. Wilcox told us that’s something for the future. He says be where your feet are,” Hunter said. “What’s going on (with realignment) is 2024 — we’re trying to get better right now.”

HUNTER ON BILETNIKOFF LIST: Junior wide receiver Jeremiah Hunter is among 10 Pac-12 players listed on the preseason Biletnikoff Award watch list.

Hunter is among the Pac-12’s top returning wideouts, having caught 60 passes for 965 yards (16.1) with five touchdowns last season. The 6-foot-2 Fresno native has 81 career catches for 1,353 yards (16.7) and six TDs.

The Biletnikoff Award, named for former Florida State and Oakland Raiders wide receiver great Fred Biletnikoff, is given annually to the top pass receiver in FBS, regardless of position.

Cover photo of Cal wide receiver Jeremiah Hunter by Kyle Terada, USA Today

Follow Jeff Faraudo of Cal Sports Report on Twitter: @jefffaraudo