The old line is "history doesn't repeat itself, but it does rhyme." The line fits outside linebacker Cameron Goode, as he's been listed as the starter for his first college game against North Carolina, and is one of the two freshmen starting on the defense for the Bears. His father James, did something similar, with his first collegiate start coming against North Carolina (playing at Oklahoma). The elder Goode came away victorious against North Carolina, and the younger Goode hopes to do the same, as he's made a meteoric rise to the top of the depth chart in the new 3-4 scheme.

"I think he's probably the most natural at that position," defensive coordinator Tim DeRuyter said back in April. "He was a guy, when I was at Fresno State, that I knew about because we recruited him when I was down there, just for that position. He's a guy that's comfortable in space, he's really long, can rush the passer. All he's got to do is develop a little more strength, he's got to get a little bit more leg in his pants, he's still a little bit light, but I think he's got a really high ceiling."

Goode is now listed at 220 pounds now after the offseason, a considerable bump up from when he came in at 200, and is back to a position he played in high school. He's going to be smaller than a lot of the guys he'll go against in the pass rush, but Goode's turned that into a positive.

"Probably my speed and my ability to play in space," Goode said of what's helped him grow at OLB, "because I’m just a little bit smaller than the other guys, so I try to use that to my advantage."

"You're talking about a guy that can run, man," defensive lineman James Looney said about his fellow starter, "when we were out here running summer workouts, I knew he was a fast guy because he was blowing out a lot of our linebackers. I think the speed kills, when you've got a guy that can run and be that quick, he's going against all the tackles and against tight ends and he has the strength to do so, he can be a real special guy."

Goode's athleticism had been on display during the spring and fall, as demonstrated by a 60 inch box jump he put on Twitter.

That's the athleticism that won him the job, as Goode is a solid tackler in space, a rangy athlete, and someone who wants to get in the action after redshirting a year ago.

"If you look back from last year, the type of dude he is now, it's just crazy," outside linebacker Cameron Saffle noted. "He's gotten bigger, he's gotten more physical, I think he's excelled since the day we switched to outside linebacker."

Goode is reticent about taking much of the credit for his growth and his ascension to the starting spot.

"It’s definitely a bigger role," Goode said, "and I’ve just tried my best to fill it, and just getting better every day, learning from older guys, learning from the coaches."

He's certainly learned, crediting Jerry Azzinaro and Tony Tuioti for the increased physicality, with the punching work they do on the sled during every practice. He's gotten to the point where DeRuyter's taken notice.

"He’s playing much faster, his techniques gotten a lot better," DeRuyter said, "We identified him in the spring as a guy we knew would fit this system. He’s a long athletic guy who can play in space, he can rush the passer, he can set an edge, he does the things we need him to do."

That's why Goode is a guy (highlighted here by our Nam Le) that Cal needs in order to be successful. He can do everything that's asked of him, and he's physically unlike everyone else at the outside linebacker spot, but there's still plenty of room to grow for the redshirt freshman.

"The next step in the evolution is really understanding how all the pieces fit," DeRuyter said,"and now he can play in a few different positions and he just takes to it like a duck in water."

Beyond that, Goode noted that he hopes to be as good as his dad. He's certainly on his way.