Here are some notes following today’s practice:

Offensive tackle Mike Tepper will return to the left side after starting 13 games at right tackle last season, coach Jeff Tedford confirmed. The redshirt senior is merely returning to the position he occupied as a sophomore two years ago, when he returned from a broken fibula.

Tedford also offered his thoughts on the relatively green receiving corps.

“I’m very, very impressed with their hustle and attention to detail,” Tedford said. “They’re making plays. I’ve seen more guys lay out for balls already in two days than, you know, I’ve seen in a long time. They’re really giving great efforts and working real hard. I’m anxious as spring goes on here to see who really rises to the top.”

Complementing the incoming batch of freshmen at wideout are senior Drew Glover and sophomore Nyan Boateng. Glover redshirted in 2004, didn’t see any action in 2005 and 2006 but served special team and scout team duties last year. Glover played quarterback his senior year of high school and receiver the year before.

“His effort is great, he’s really focused on details and he’s really doing a nice job,” Tedford said of Glover. “(He’s made) a lot of progress. He was kind of learning the position (last season), got out here, he kind of got his feet wet a little bit doing one-on-one drills, but I think he’s taking it more seriously this year as far as understanding what his assignments are and what he’s doing. Great hustle, really tough guy, so look for him to make contributions for us.”

Boteng, meanwhile, drew heavy reps as punt returner during today’s practice, but Tedford maintained the position is wide open for competition. A transfer from Florida who sat out in 2007 due to transfer requirements, Boateng brings a good deal of raw talent to the table for Cal.

“He’s a guy who has some ability, but he has to fit into the system and get used to the work ethic and what it takes to be consistent,” Tedford said. “But he has the ability. He has speed, he has size, he has good hands—a good athlete. He has the potential to be a contributor for us.”

Looks like a plateful of potential contributors at wideout for the Bears.

On the ground, tailback Tracy Slocum looked fluid running the ball, while Jahvid Best participated in drills for the first time. Tedford assured Best would be treated carefully this early in spring practice; the sophomore had suffered a season-ending hip injury against USC on Nov. 10, 2007, finishing the year with 221 rushing yards (7.6 per carry) and two scores.

“He’s going to do some ball handling, going to run some, but we’re not gonna bang him,” Tedford said.

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