Wharton has hands to juggle son, class, team
Whenever Vic Wharton III’s son sees him on TV, the soon-to-be 14-month-old shouts, “Dada, Dada.”
Well, the boy was doing lots of shouting Saturday, because Wharton got plenty of face time during Cal’s 35-30 upset of North Carolina.
The 5-foot-11, 200-pound junior hauled in five passes for 156 yards, including a 67-yard touchdown when the Tar Heels had all of the momentum and a 10-point lead.
“I expect to always play to the best of my ability, and I knew that I would able to do that,” Wharton said. “With all of the weapons that we have at receiver, it could have been any of them who did that.
“It just happened to me that day.”
Cal had 10 players catch a pass on a day when Freshman All-America selection Demetris Robertson was limited to three catches for 12 yards, but none of the receivers was more dynamic than Wharton.
He accounted for half of the team’s six “explosive plays,” plays that net at least 20 yards. There was a 26yarder that set up the Bears’ first score of the season, the 67-yarder that kept the Bears in the game, and a 43-yarder that led to the clinching touchdown.
It’s fitting that Wharton seemed to make his biggest plays when Cal needed them most, because he has made a habit of thriving amid major
“He’s just a mature kid who knows how to take care of business, and he’s a leader.” Nicholas Edwards, receivers coach, on Vic Wharton III
life changes.
“It’s been great to be able to overcome all of this adversity,” he said. “… I think I’ve shown that I’m going to continue to fight.”
He’s already overcome grueling hip-surgery rehabilitation and the culture shock that accompanied his transfer from Tennessee to Berkeley. Now, he’s juggling being a full-time parent, full-time student and full-time athlete.
“When I get home, I’m on daddy duty,” said Wharton, who is expecting a daughter with his fiancee, Allie DeSanto, next month.
Wharton said he watches video of his games with his son on his iPad, and they play catch up to about 7 yards — though the onus is mostly on Wharton to throw the ball in the perfect spot for a completed pass.
“There’s never a time when he’s around his son that he’s not smiling,” said sophomore receiver Brandon Singleton.
“He’s just a great dude. I don’t think you could find anyone on the team who doesn’t like Vic Wharton,” junior running back Patrick Laird said. “I think he’s been a mature person since he’s been at Cal, but as he’s become a father, you can tell that his priorities are his kid and his fiancee. …
“I’m 22, and on the weekends I just want to do what kids do. He wants to be with his family, and I think that’s impressive.”
Wharton, also 22, has sought advice from his father, who had two children while playing at Western Kentucky, and Cal receivers coach Nicholas Edwards, who was married while playing at Eastern Washington.
“It’s phenomenal how he handles it all,” Edwards said. “He’s just a mature kid who knows how to take care of business, and he’s a leader. He’s the jokester in the (receivers’) room, but he knows when to get serious.
“I always expect big things out of him.”
This week is no different. The Bears host Weber State in their home opener Saturday, and, just like North Carolina, the Wildcats play a lot of press coverage.
Wharton showed the ability to get leverage against defensive backs trying to jam him at the line in Chapel Hill and quickly released into his route and found separation. This could be another big Saturday for him.
Only this time, the “Dada” cheers will be coming from the bleachers.