Starting a redshirt freshman at quarterback instead of a fifth-year senior was a gamble for UC Davis in 2025. Caden Pinnick made it pay off by throwing for 3.206 yards, rushing for 437 and accounting for 35 touchdowns. Compiling a list of all the accolades he received would take a  Herculean effort.

Pinnick packed his awards in his luggage, however, when he accepted a $600,000 offer to transfer to Washington State. His departure leaves UC Davis with three redshirt freshmen competing for the starting job. The Aggies can only hope history repeats itself with whoever is behind center in 2026.

Head coach Tim Plough has said it would be ideal to name a starter by the end of spring camp. It did not happen last year even though Pinnck was the obvious choice after outplaying fifth-senior Grant Harper. Plough held off on making the announcement, however, out of his respect for Harper. 

Plough again had nothing to announce last Saturday. The battle between Jackson Kollock, Treynor Cleeland and Axel Eason will continue when the players reconvene in August. There will be a sense of urgency for one of the three to take charge with the season opener at Portland State on Aug. 29.

Paul Shelton looks forward to seeing how the competition plays out. The offensive coordinator will have the responsibility of preparing whoever prevails for three consecutive road games to start the season. The Sept. 12 trip to SMU, which upset Miami in 2025, will certainly test the starter’s mettle.

Cleeland and Eason have two advantages against Kollock, a transfer from Minnesota. They are the sons of former NFL players Bo Eason and Cam Cleeland. Eason’s uncle Tony also played in the NFL. Treynor Cleeland and Axel Eason have also had their noses buried in the playbook since arriving last year.

Kollock has been a quick study after coming out of Laguna Beach High as a four-star recruit. The Aggies have gone from having two three-year starters in Jake Maier (2018-20) and Miles Hastings (2002-24) to crossing their fingers by again handing the keys to their offense to a redshirt freshman.

“People panicked last year after we lost the leading passer in the nation,” Shelton said of Hastings, who led FCS passers in 2024 with 4,493 yards and 38 touchdowns. Pinnick tackled a tough act to follow “with his sheer work ethic,” Shelton added. “It was a joy just to watch him continue to grow.” 

Nagging injuries stalled Eason’s growth during the three-week camp, so the competition could be a duel. Cleeland and Kollock have “had their ups and downs,. They’ve gone back and forth,” Shelton said. “They both ended (the camp) on a high note. We know we can win with both of these guys.” 

Shelton balked when asked if rotating quarterbacks would be an option until one seizes the job. “I don’t see a world where that would happen We don’t want a guy looking over his shoulder,” Shelton  offered. “It’s as close as it can get. The players will ultimately choose who is going to be the starter.”

Pinnick seized control of the offense last season and refused to let go, He started 12 of 13 games, missing the trip to Northern Colorado last Oct, 25 with an illness. Harper made the most of  the only start of his career, throwing for 216 yards and three touchdowns in a  27-16 victory over  the Bears.

UC Davis was fine without Pinnick in its fifth consecutive  win over Northern Colorado. Whoever starts the 2026 opener will try to extend the Aggies’ winning streak against Portland State to five games. The Week 2 opponent will be San Diego, which is 1-9 against UC Davis and has dropped  seven in a row.