KEY LOSSES

RB Shane Vereen -- Vereen rushed for 1,167 yards, provided a breakaway threat and was also an outstanding pass receiver, making 22 catches his final season. His departure after his junior year leaves a big hole at the tailback spot.

DE Cam Jordan -- The top pro prospect on the team last season, Jordan had 12.5 tackles for loss, knocked down four passes and forced three fumbles. Cal has no one around who can replace his play-making ability. Losing ILB Mike Mohamed hurt, too, but Mohamed did not have nearly as good a season in 2010 as he did in 2009.

QB Kevin Riley -- Although he was inconsistent his final two seasons and was part of the problem, his value became apparent when he went down for the season in the eighth game. Without Riley, Cal's mediocre passing game became non-existent, and there is no adequate replacement ready to step in.

PLAYERS TO WATCH IN 2011:

WR Keenan Allen -- He never quite lived up to the huge potential he showed early in his freshman season, partly because of injuries. But he provided a lot of hints of what he can do, and he could be a breakout player in 2011 -- as a receiver, runner, and possibly as a passer on occasion. You might even see him play defense. He and Marvin Jones should form one of the best wide receiver tandems in the conference.

OLB Mychal Kendricks -- A so-so player in 2009, Kendricks fit in perfectly in Clancy Pendergast's 3-4 scheme as a junior in 2010. He led the team with 15 tackles for loss, including 8.5 sacks, and his athletic ability coming off the edge gives him a chance to make a big play on almost any down.

NT Trevor Guyton -- Guyton played defensive end in Cal's 3-4 most of the season and wound up with 8.5 tackles for loss, including 4.5 sacks, but he did his best work while playing the nose tackle position late in the season. He used his quickness to great advantage in the middle, and it will be interesting to see how coordinator Clancy Pendergast uses him next season, especially with the addition of freshman DT Viliami Moala.

CB Marc Anthony -- Anthony made vast improvement in 2010, and he's the kind of player who might continue to improve. He had two interceptions and broke up six passes.

PLAYER NOTES

--WR Alex Lagemann left the program after his junior year after getting only reception in 2010. He had made 12 catches in 2009, and it looked as if he might be a major contributor. But the influx of young wide receivers pushed him out of the picture, and he decided not to return for his senior season.

--QB Zach Maynard enrolled at Cal as planned for the spring term. Maynard, the half-brother of WR Keenan Allen, transferred to Cal last year but did not enroll because he needed some class credits. He attended junior college to get eligible, and he enrolled in December. He will compete for the starting quarterback spot in the spring. He was the starting quarterback for Buffalo in 2009.

--DE Cam Jordan made five tackles, including one for a loss, in the Senior Bowl to help solidify his position as a likely first-round NFL draft pick.

--TB Covaughn DeBoskie-Johnson had offseason knee surgery but is expected to participate in the spring.

--Sophomore TB Dasarte Yarnway is unlikely to participate in spring ball because of lingering knee problem.

--Redshirt freshman TB Trajuan Briggs is questionable for the spring with back and ankle problems.

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