The Golden Bears were 1-11 two seasons ago when quarterback Jared Goff was a freshman. Fast forward two years later, they are playing in the Armed Forces Bowl against Air Force and Jared Goff put on a clinic in which might be his last game with California.
Jared Goff broke multiple records on his way to MVP honor, he threw for 467 yards for 6 touchdowns, beating Aaron Rodgers’ passing yards record in a bowl game for a Cal player. Goff wasn’t done as he beat the record for passing touchdowns in a single season for any Pac-12 player which was set by Marcus Mariota while at Oregon. He also owns after today the Pac-12 single season passing yards record.
Air Force was committed to their run game all game, throughout the first three quarters they only threw the ball four times which made them very predictable. California and Jared Goff sealed the game in the 3rd quarter with 17 pts alone in that quarter, the final score was 55-36.
After the game, many wondered if Goff was headed to the NFL draft after his stellar performance to finish the season. The quarterback didn’t answer that question but during his postgame speech, he didn’t sound like a player who was coming back for his senior year.
“To go from 1-11 to where we are this year, it’s been a lot of fun. We’ve all grown up together….I love our fans and I appreciate everything they’ve done for me. They’ve had my back through the lows and the highs.”
His coach Sonny Dykes didn’t give any indication on Goff’s decision and seems to wait on his decision like everyone else.
“Whatever he (Jared) decides, he’ll make the decision for the right reason. I have complete confidence in that.”
Coming off a performance like this one Goff raised his stocks considerably, he would be wise to capitalize and enter the draft. You can’t play worrying about injuries but why would he take the risk by going back to California next season and hurt his chances to be a top draft as a senior? He couldn’t put himself in a better situation and I think in the end he will enter the 2016 NFL Draft.