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In the high-flying Pac-10, one of the most important things a team needs for success is a pair of good cornerbacks, sometimes even three or four. But thanks to some classroom troubles, the Cal Bears find themselves facing a season with just two experienced cornerbacks. 

Senior Ray Carmel and redshirt freshman Will Scott were both ruled academically ineligible earlier this week, bringing to three the number of cornerbacks the Bears have lost since last season due to grades. Atari Callen transferred to Idaho State earlier this summer after he was ruled ineligible. 

It’s not as if the players lost are slouches, either. Carmel and Callen came out of spring practice as the starters, while Scott’s athleticism probably would have found him some playing time this season. 

“Coming out of spring, (Carmel and Callen) were our top two guys, no question,” Cal defensive secondary coach J.D. Williams said. “It’s unfortunate that we had to lose them that way.” 

The mass exodus leaves senior Jemeel Powell and junior James Bethea as the only cornerbacks on the Cal roster with significant experience. Powell had an outstanding sophomore year before injuries held him back last season, but the speed and confidence that made him a good player seem to be lacking. Bethea started eight games last season, but that’s damning praise as the Bears were among the worst defensive teams in the nation. Bethea was burned deep repeatedly early in the season and played tentatively the rest of the way, going the entire year without an interception. 

With Bethea and Powell the likely starters, at least to start the season, several unknowns will get a shot at important roles. Redshirt freshman Harrison Smith has moved over from safety, as has senior Jeremy Drake. Harrison, a Skyline High (Oakland) graduate, is more known for his hitting than his coverage, and Drake has struggled to crack the starting lineup since coming in from Mt. San Antonio Junior College in 2000. Neither has elite speed, something the outstanding receivers in the conference would likely exploit at every opportunity. 

There are also three true freshmen who could break into the lineup with a good showing in the next few weeks. Wale Forrester, Donnie McCleskey and Tim Mixon all have good speed, and Mixon in particular has looked impressive in full-contact drills. But asking a true freshman to absorb a full college playbook in a few weeks is a bit too much, so don’t expect to see any of them in the opener against Baylor on Aug. 31. 

“(The freshmen) are a little overwhelmed by the playbook, and that’s to be expected,” Williams said. “We have to be able to run all of our plays, and if they can’t do that, they won’t play until they can.” 

Occasional help could come from a familiar source. Senior LaShaun Ward converted from cornerback to wide receiver midway through last season, and head coach Jeff Tedford said he might call on Ward for spot duty in nickel and dime situations. 

Notes: Sophomore wideout Chase Lyman underwent surgery on Tuesday for a broken pinkie on his right hand, suffered at the team’s first official practice on Saturday. The injury will take at least two weeks to heal, but a hamstring injury suffered at the same practice could hold him back even longer. Tedford said he thinks Lyman could be ready for the Bears’ first game. “Chase knows the offense, and I’m confident he’ll be able to jump right back into the thick of things,” Tedford said... Senior guard Scott Tercero has been held out of practice this week due to a shoulder injury, but is expected to be ready for the opener... Offensive lineman Jon Geisel suffered a hamstring injury during Tuesday’s afternoon practice. The severity of the injury was unknown... JC transfer receiver Jonathan Makonnen went through his first full-contact practice on Tuesday after breaking a finger a week ago... Tight end Terrence Dotsy lost 40 pounds this summer, and now weighs in at about 260 pounds.