Davis Webb (7) is the new starting QB at Cal. Photo Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Former Texas Tech quarterback Davis Webb has been named the starter at California as the school’s replacement for No. 1 overall NFL draft pick Jared Goff.
Webb passed for 46 touchdowns in three seasons at Texas Tech but lost the starting job to Patrick Mahomes II. He threw just 41 passes last season – including two touchdowns – as a junior.
The Red Raiders play in a similar up-tempo system as the Golden Bears, which made Webb’s ascension to Cal’s starter an easier task.
“Davis has a lot of experience as a starting quarterback at the collegiate level and that’s why he separated himself from the others early in camp,” first-year offensive coordinator Jake Spavital said in a statement. “He also played in a similar system at Texas Tech and his familiarity with what we are trying to do offensively was another major factor in our decision.”
The Golden Bears have been a highly productive offensive team in recent seasons with Sonny Dykes as coach and Goff as the signal caller. Goff was selected by the Los Angeles Rams in the recent draft.
Webb separated himself from redshirt freshman Ross Bowers and sophomore Chase Forrest while winning the starting gig.
“We felt like it was the right decision to make once separation occurred,” Dykes said. “Davis’ maturity and knowledge of what we’re trying to do put him a little bit ahead of the other quarterbacks.”
Webb played in 23 games for the Red Raiders and passed for 5,557 yards. He completed 61.4 percent of his passes and was intercepted 22 times.
After deciding to transfer, Webb initially considered Auburn, Colorado and Mississippi State. He gave Colorado an oral commitment but later reneged when Spavital was hired as Cal’s offensive coordinator. Spavital spent the previous three seasons at Texas A&M.
“College football and particularly the quarterback position is a performance-based deal,” Webb said in the statement. “My job now is to prepare my best each day and do my job on game day. I need to do everything I can so my teammates can enjoy success.”
The Bears open the season Aug. 26 against Hawaii in Sydney, Australia.
