Remigio turning heads of defenders as well as coaches
Favorably listed at 5-foot-10 and 170 pounds, Nikko Remigio arrived in Berkeley unsure if he’d be able to compete at the FBS level as a true freshman.
It took one training camp practice for the doubts to subside.
The receiver beat experienced defensive backs on two of three reps in one-on-one drills at the opener and has spent the rest of camp adding to the flock of believers as one of Cal’s most impressive newcomers.
“I’m not the type person to come in saying: ‘I’m going to play right away,’ ” said Remigio. “I tend to doubt myself first, and then, once I go out and do it, I slowly open up and build confidence.
“Seeing that I can compete at this level has flipped my perception.”
On the first day of live tackling drills, Remigio juked and hurdled his way through six reps before a defensive player could get him on ground. On Wednesday, he ended the practice by catching back-to-back touchdown passes.
In between those sessions, he made a shining impression during Saturday’s “play the game” periods — training camp’s closest simulation of real football. He caught four passes for 68 yards, including a 52-yarder for a team in acute need of explosive plays.
Cal lost three receivers to transfer during the offseason, including five-star speedster Demetris Robertson. What Remigio lacks in size and speed, he makes up for in understanding defensive coverages and precise route running.
“He’s a pretty polished guy,” head coach Justin Wilcox said. “He’s done some run-aftercatch things that show up. … He gives you some hope there.”
Remigio has primarily worked out of the slot during camp, but receivers coach Nicholas Edwards believes he can eventually make an impact on the outside, as well.
That’s what he did for Mater Dei-Santa Ana (Orange County), where he moved outside as a senior and helped lead his school to MaxPreps’ No. 1 national ranking. He finished his prep career with 111 catches for 1,695 receiving yards and 19 touchdowns.
But since he got to Cal, he’s acted as if none of that acclaim even exists. Throughout camp, Remigio has often arrived at the stadium before 6:30 a.m. and stayed past 9 p.m.
When he’s not producing on the field or dancing off energy with Vic Wharton III and Jeremiah Hawkins on the sideline, Remigio can almost always be spotted shadowing Kanawai Noa, a Biletnikoff watch listee who had 56 catches for 788 yards and four touchdowns last year.
“I hold his knowledge and the stuff he teaches me just as high as coach Edwards,” Remigio said. “He’s one of the smartest receivers I’ve ever been in contact with. His IQ is phenomenal, and he has no problem passing it down to me and helping me.
“Honestly, I give a lot of credit for my success so far to him for teaching me.”
One of the two four-star players in Cal’s recruiting class (the other is offensive lineman Will Craig), Remigio was offered scholarships by more than a dozen schools. Even with the likes of Tennessee, UCLA, USC and Wisconsin courting him, Remigio said he was “always a little biased toward Cal” — a program trying to develop smart, tough and team-first players.
Peeking from under Remigio’s left shoulder pad is a tattoo he got in November. The ink includes a nod to his Filipino, black, and white heritages and tribal designs that speak to his family, the journey he took to get to Cal and where he plans on going.
He was a world-class competitor in Brazilian jujitsu by 12 years old and plans to be in the NFL some day.
“I definitely pride myself in being the most polished receiver I can be,” Remigio said. “I know I’m not a 6-foot-5, 4.3seconds 40-yard dash receiver, so being able to have my receiver craft down and being really specific and as perfect as possible is something I really pride myself on.
“I have to attack every day to make sure that I always have an edge.”