Although most eyes will be on the quarterbacks during training camp, many will also be on Brendan Bigelow.
The junior did not participate in spring camps after he had offseason surgery on a torn meniscus. Though he expects to be at full speed in the fall, Cal fans are still nervous.
It’s not his first injury. He tore his ACL in a playoff game during his junior year of high school. He then tore a ligament before his senior season even began.
For speed backs, injuries can end careers. A slight change in speed can be the difference between taking a run the distance and being wrapped up by the ankle for a loss. Cal fans are justifiably nervous about Bigelow, who averaged almost 10 yards per carry last year.
Luckily, Cal has talented backs that can fill in.
Daniel Lasco is the backup on the roster, and even though he is 3 inches taller and 20 pounds heavier than Bigelow, he has a similar running style. Lasco is explosive and quick — something he showed off when he busted a 77-yard touchdown run against Southern Utah last fall.
The other running back that may contribute is freshman Khalfani Muhammad. Muhammad is small, but he is fast. Really fast. The freshman was the third sprinter in state history to take first place in the 100- and 200-meter sprints in high school two years in a row.
Seeing Bigelow get reps during training camp would put many minds at ease. But even if he doesn’t, there is more than enough talent in the pipeline for Cal to be alright on the ground.
Contact Riley McAtee at [email protected]