2009 National Football Post Scouting Series: California

(Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)

For the rest of the summer, the National Football Post will break down every team in the Football Bowl Subdivision (formerly known as Division I-A) to identify players who might warrant interest from NFL teams in the 2010 draft.

The California Golden Bears finished the 2008 season with a 9-4 record, good enough for fourth place in the Pac-10.

Expect them to be in the mix again for a possible run at a conference championship as they are led by one of the most electrifying running backs in the nation.

Here’s our first look at the Golden Bears:

Offense

Jahvid Best: No. 4, RB, 5-10, 195

An explosive stop-and-start athlete who has a great first step and gets up to top-end speed instantly out of his break. Is very agile and shifty in the open field and consistently knows how to make the first man miss.

Displays a sudden jump-cut and quickly hits the cutback lane and attacks upfield. Runs with a low pad level and good balance and doesn’t absorb many big hits to his frame. Lacks ideal power at the line of scrimmage and is tripped up too easily by arm tackles.

Possesses a rare second gear and has the ability to separate from almost anyone once he reaches the secondary. However, it’s his natural feel for the game and instincts at the line of scrimmage that make him such a dynamic runner.

A coordinated receiver out of the backfield, he’s also a tough little blocker who has the body control to cut down defenders on contact.

Impression: He’s as explosive and sudden as you can get. I love his natural running instincts and toughness for a back his size. Looks like a big-play threat at the next level.

Nyan Boateng: No. 8, WR, 6-2, 210

A big, muscular target who displays the body control and ball skills to shield a defender and pluck the ball at its highest point. Has a good first step out of his stance and gets up to full speed quickly.

However, he lacks a second gear and isn’t a threat to get behind defenses. Displays good short-area quickness and has the ability to gain inside position on corners and drive toward daylight.

Exhibits some suddenness as a route runner, but has a tendency to round off his routes and gets sloppy out of his breaks. Possesses good instincts and does a nice job finding soft spots in coverage and making himself available to the quarterback.

Impression: A nice-sized target with good body control and feel in the pass game. Looks like he could fill out a roster spot as a possession-type receiver in the NFL.

NOTE: Cal offensive tackle Mike Tepper was granted a sixth year of eligibility by the NCAA after missing the 2008 season with a pectoral injury. He started all 13 games in 2007 and is a guy to keep an eye on in the coming season.

Defense

Cameron Jordan: No. 97, DE/DT, 6-4, 287

A tall, long-armed athlete who is asked to play both defensive end and defensive tackle on the Cal defense. Isn’t really flexible in his stance and lacks the ability to fire off the ball and gain an initial first step off the edge.

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