Cal has brought in some of the best offensive line classes in the nation in recent years. The Bears are starting to reap the benefits.

Cal coach Jeff Tedford said Wednesday that redshirt freshman Matt Summers-Gavin and sophomore Justin Cheadle had earned starting spots at offensive guard. With sophomore Mitchell Schwartz slated to start at right tackle, the Bears will feature three of the five offensive linemen who made up their offensive line class of 2007 that was ranked sixth in the country by scout.com.

Throw in starting center Chris Guarnero and backup Dominic Galas — each of whom was considered a top recruit — and it appears the Bears are ready to capitalize on their recruiting efforts.

"All those good classes that came in, those guys are playing at a fairly young age," Tedford said. "They're not completely new. They know the offense. I feel like there's a good mix there."

After breaking training camp Monday, Cal held its first practice of the regular season Wednesday. Players were assigned to scout teams, and the Bears began to install their game plan for the season opener against Maryland on Sept. 5.

Cal's coaching staff met Tuesday to resolve some of the position battles that took place during camp. Summers-Gavin beat out Mark Boskovich at left guard, and Cheadle got the nod over Chet Teofilo at right guard.

Summers-Gavin never enrolled in school in 2007 after getting

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injured before training camp. Schwartz and Cheadle redshirted that year.

Tedford said Cheadle has lost 20 to 25 pounds.

"He's a different guy right now," Tedford said. "Summers-Gavin came in last year with a lot of injuries and was slowed by that. But when spring got here and he was ready to play, he started making a move. I feel really good about those guys."

  • Tedford said he won't name a kicker for a couple more days. Incumbent Giorgio Tavecchio is battling sophomore David Seawright and true freshman Vince D'Amato for the job. Tedford also didn't name a starter at fullback. He said Brian Holley likely will start against Maryland, but it could change from week to week depending on the game plan.

  • Star running back Jahvid Best practiced in full capacity again as he recovers from a sore toe. He said he's not 100 percent, but close.

    Best said the only thing he hasn't done since returning to full practice is taken enough big hits. "That's the one thing I don't think I've done yet," he said. "If my first big hit is against Maryland, I'll get used to it."

  • After a temporary demotion, defensive end Cameron Jordan is back with the first unit. Defensive coordinator Bob Gregory pulled Jordan from the starting unit after a poor performance in last week's scrimmage and replaced him with Trevor Guyton. A few days later, Jordan had taken back his usual spot.

  • Tedford said wide receiver Isi Sofele is the only freshman who definitely will not redshirt. The only other freshman who could play this year is offensive lineman Brian Schwenke, Tedford said. ... Linebacker Eddie Young (concussion) and safety Marcus Ezeff (sprained ankle) are expected back in a day or two.