Cal backup QB doesn’t regret decision to stay
Chase Forrest probably could be spending this weekend trying to lead San Jose State to an upset of Fresno State, whipping around passes to NFL prospect Keelan Doss at UC Davis or preparing City College of San Francisco for the Golden State Bowl.
Pick a school. Name a scenario. Think about the possibilities.
Forrest had plenty of seemingly more fashionable options, but in an era when more and more players are transferring because of a lack of playing time, he chose to stay and grind at Cal.
The Bears will honor 24 seniors in a ceremony before Saturday’s game against Colorado — maybe none more appreciated than Forrest because of the reserve quarterback’s commitment to staying with — and changing the culture of — the program.
“I have as much respect for Chase as just about anyone I’ve ever coached,” Cal offensive coordinator Beau Baldwin said. “… He’s one of those guys you’ll always remember, not simply because he stayed, but because of who he is while he’s stayed. It’s impressive.”
Forrest is believed to be one of only two fifth-year quarterbacks in FBS (TCU’s Grayson Muehlstein is the other) who arrived at a school on scholarship and didn’t transfer despite not starting a game during his their career.
Forrest arrived from Santa Ana (Orange County) and has helped sharpen the skills of Jared Goff, Luke Rubenzer, Davis Webb, Ross Bowers, Chase Garbers and Brandon McIlwain by providing intense competitions for snaps. His impact behind the scenes is even bigger.
He logged long hours breaking down video with Goff and Webb and continued those midnight-oil lessons with Bowers, Garbers and McIlwain. Even after he missed his last shot to start, Forrest has spent time this season running pregame routes as a receiver to help the development of Garbers and McIlwain.
When Forrest, who has attempted only 28 passes in six games during his college career, was named a captain before last month’s game against UCLA, no one on the team batted an eye.
“Everyone was like, ‘Of course, he has one of the most respected voices on the team,’ ” said senior center Addison Ooms, who has started 34 consecutive games. “Guys have to respect him because he’s put in the time, the work, the years. He comes from a place of love. There’s nothing selfish about that guy.”
Inside linebacker Jordan Kunaszyk is the unquestioned leader of the Bears’ nationally ranked defense and Patrick Laird is Cal’s offense.
Those players are most impressed by Forrest.
“He sets a precedent that I hope a lot of the younger guys on the team see. I’ll probably walk downstairs and see him watching film right now,” Laird said hours after a practice this week. “That guy is an incredible human being.”
He’s a pretty darn good quarterback, too.
Forrest comes from a long line of QBs at Mater Dei, which fostered the likes of John Huarte, Matt Leinart, Colt Brennan, Matt Barkley and current USC starter JT Daniels.
Forrest beat out Colorado Rockies second-round pick Ryan McMahon for the starting job midway through his junior year and completed 66.7 percent of his passes — second to only John Flynn (67.2 percent in 1994) in the history of the school.
“My role and what I’ve been about in my career is to always be ready. … That’s just kind of my M.O. That’s how I was brought up. That’s how I was trained,” Forrest said. “What kept me here is this team. A lot of my best friends are on this team. I trust the coaches, and I wanted to be here . ...
“I had an opportunity to leave, but I chose to stay because I love this team and what is being brought up here.”