Former University of California quarterback Jared Goff began his college career with a 1-11 season for the Golden Bears, but 24 months later, he led them to a season-ending bowl victory over the Air Force Academy earlier this year.
But long before Goff and Golden Bears earned the victory over the Air Force Academy, they committed themselves to their program so that they would never again experience what was a miserable 2013 season, one in which they beat Portland State, a Football Championship Subdivision team, for their only win.
Knowing that he could go at the top of the 2016 NFL Draft to a team that has struggled in the recent past, Goff is ready to get to work.
“I learned how you’ve kind of got to start from the ground up,” Goff said at the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine last week. “Honestly, it starts with hard work, hard work in the offseason and no shortcuts. We were 1-11.
“We were terrible. We lost every, single game besides the game against Portland State. We got blown out in every game and really, had to start from the floor and build everything back up. We were able to go 8-5 this year and win a bowl game. It was tremendous, and it’s a testament to our hard work.”
Despite throwing 18 touchdowns in 2013, Goff was intercepted 10 times and had fumble issues that plagued him for much of his first two years. However, Goff exponentially increased his touchdowns output in each of the next two years.
During his sophomore season, Goff completed 316 of his 509 attempts for 3,973 yards and 35 touchdowns against seven interceptions, and followed it up with a 4,719-yard, 43-touchdown, 13-interception effort in 2015.
During his three-year career, Goff threw for 12,200 yards and 96 touchdowns against 20 interceptions.
“There was definitely a learning experience and taught me a lot,” Goff said, “taught me a lot about football, and I had to grow up, had to mature, had to become the leader of the team that next year and was able to go through it with a lot of great guys, a lot of great teammates that were there at the end this past year when we were able to be successful.
“It taught me a lot, and I’m very grateful for that experience, for sure. It’s been a part of my football journey that I’ll definitely look back on as something that helped me.”
