Davis Webb to start at quarterback for Cal

Just four days into fall camp,Californiahas found its replacement for No. 1 overall draft pickJared Goff.

The school announced Thursday that Davis Webb, a graduate transfer from Texas Tech, will be the starting quarterback.

"Davis has a lot of experience as a starting quarterback at the collegiate level and that's why he separated himself from the others early in camp," new offensive coordinator Jake Spavital said in a statement. "He also played in a similar system at Texas Tech and his familiarity with what we are trying to do offensively was another major factor in our decision."

Over three seasons at Texas Tech, Webb completed 61.4 percent of his throws with 46 touchdown passes. He bested Ross Bowers and Chase Forrest for the starting job with the Bears.

ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. ranks Webb as the No. 1 senior quarterback.

"We felt like it was the right decision to make once separation occurred," head coach Sonny Dykes said. "Davis' maturity and knowledge of what we're trying to do put him a little bit ahead of the other quarterbacks."

Webb spent a dizzying offseason reportedly being courted by Auburn, Mississippi State and Colorado, where he originally made a commitment. The hiring of Spavital, however, is believed to have swayed Webb to Berkeley.

"College football and particularly the quarterback position is a performance-based deal," Webb said. "My job now is to prepare my best each day and do my job on game day."

The Bears open the season Aug. 26 against Hawaii in Sydney, Australia.