California's Hardy Nickerson knows all about name brands. The son and namesake of the former four-time NFL Pro Bowl linebacker understands whose name is on the Golden Bears marquee this fall, the guy who's creating buzz for a program that has been in retreat nationally since quarterback Kevin Riley took an ill-advised scramble against Oregon State in 2007, thereby preventing the program from ascending to No. 1.
More than a few folks are projecting Cal as a contender in the Pac-12's North Division -- two years removed from an atrocious 1-11 finish -- because of quarterback Jared Goff, a junior who is expected to be a first-round NFL draft pick next spring.