2022 Updated Golden Bear Roster and Depth Breakdown

Wrapping up the 2022 recruiting class, the Bears currently sit at a full 85 scholarships including the balance of the 2022 class that will be arriving in June. However rosters and scholarship counts are ever-changing, with attrition from injury retirements, portal transfers, early graduations and more, so expect that number to change in short order, potentially leaving room for three to four new transfer portal additions to the program in the spring and summer if the right players are available and there’s more roster movement.

For now, let’s take a dive into the Bears’ current scholarship allocation.

Quarterback: 4: 3 current plus 1 summer addition

The Bears brought in veteran Purdue QB Jack Plummer through the transfer portal to compete with redshirt frosh QB Kai Millner and redshirt soph Zach Johnson to take over for four year starter Chase Garbers. Plummer arrived on campus in January and has been participating in player led workouts. They also made a developmental add in the late signing period with the addition of Miami QB Fernando Mendoza and added two preferred walk-on QBs -one a transfer and one a prep.

Jack Plummer 6-5/215 RS JR Purdue transfer -Plummer transferred to Cal via the transfer portal from Purdue, after playing in 21 games with 13 starts over the final three seasons of his four years with the Boilermakers, completing 319-of-492 passes (64.8%) for 3405 yards with 26 touchdowns and 10 interceptions for a 136.35 quarterback rating.

Kai Millner 6-2/210 RS FR (Higley HS, Gilbert, AZ) -Redshirted his frosh season in 2021. Millner completed 359-of-559 passes (64.2%) for 4564 yards with 46 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in his junior and senior seasons, adding 178 carries for 829 yards and 13 touchdowns on the ground for a total of 5393 total yards over 23 games. Millner looks poised to compete with Plummer for the starting nod after running the scout team much of his frosh season.

Zach Johnson 6-1/195 RS SO (Hart HS, Valencia, CA) -Has yet to play at Cal. At Hart, alma mater of former Cal QBs Joe Kapp and Kyle Boller, Johnson was a two-year starter who earned All-Southern Section and first-team All-Foothill League honors in each of his two varsity seasons as a 2018 junior and 2019 senior, combining to complete 440-of-728 passes (60.4%) for 5680 yards with 57 touchdowns and 26 interceptions, adding 593 rushing yards and eight touchdowns on 216 carries.

Summer arrival:

Fernando Mendoza‍ 6-5/215 FR QB Miami, FL (Columbus HS/Belen Jesuit HS) -As a senior, Mendoza played behind a young offensive line and was often under heavy pressure when Columbus opted to throw. He completed 63% of his passes (107-for-169) for 1109 yards and 11 TDs with 4 interceptions, showng a live arm and an ability to pick up yards with his legs, adding 140 net yards and a touchdown on the ground, though he's more of a classic pro-style QB.

Running Back: 4 current plus one summer arrival

After the departure of seniors Chris Brooks and Marcel Dancy, the Bears return part-time starter Damien Moore and 131 returning carries for 729 yards and seven TDs between Moore and the rest of the returners, with all averaging more than five yards per carry.

Damien Moore 5-10/215 SO (Bishop Amat, La Puente, CA) -Moore played in 14 games with eight starts since his arrival at Cal in 2020, totaling 711 yards rushing and six touchdowns on 137 carries on the ground, adding 14 receptions for 95 yards and one touchdown through the air.

Jaydn Ott 6-0/200 FR RB Chino, CA (Norco HS, Chino, CA) -Rushed for 2236 yards and 30 touchdowns as a prep on 265 carries for averages of 97.2 yards per game rushing with 12 100-yard rushing games and 8.4 yards per carry, while adding 17 receptions for 228 yards and one touchdown. With his speed, talent and early arrival, look for the dynamic Ott to complete for plenty of carries early.

DeCarlos Brooks 5-10/210 RS SO RB (Chandler HS, Chandler, AZ) -After redshirting in 2019 and not seeing action in the shortened 2020 season, Brooks played in 12 games all off the bench in ‘21 with 10 rushes for 96 yards and one reception for seven yards, adding three tackles on special teams.

Chris Street 5-9/200 RS SO RB (JSerra Catholic HS, Eastvale, CA) -After not playing as a frosh in 2020, Street played in 11 games off the bench as a redshirt frosh, with 21 rushes for 109 yards (5.2 ypc) and one reception for four yards.

Summer arrival:

Ashton Hayes‍ 6-0 /185 FR RB Reno, NV (McQueen HS) -As a two way player in high school, Hayes had a strong senior season, picking up 1,784 yards and 27 td’s for McQueen while also excelling at multiple positions on D.

Fullback:

The Bears will come into the season with three primary fullback who also double as tight ends, with preferred walk-ons 6-0/250 redshirt soph Beaux Tagaloa and 6-1/245 redshirt frosh Champion Johnson providing depth.

Andy Alfieri 6-3/240 RS FR MLB (Jesuit HS/Portland, OR) -Redshirted as a true frosh in 2020 while recovering from a high school injury. A two-way player at inside linebacker, running back and tight end as a prep player at Jesuit. Alfieri was switched to fullback/tight end in the spring and had solid success with the move.

Wide Receiver 9 current plus one summer arrival

While loaded with size, speed and potential, the Bears return only 33 total receptions among their nine receivers. Ordinarily that would be a frightful outlook but look for some of the talented youngsters to step up and have  big seasons for the Bears’ receiving corps in ‘22.

Jeremiah Hunter 6-2/200 RS SO WR (Central HS, Fresno, CA) -Hunter played in all eight of his career games as a redshirt frosh, including his lone career collegiate start against Sacramento State. Averaged 18.5 yards per reception that was third in the Pac-12 (#24 NCAA) and third on the team in yards receiving (388) on 21 catches.

J Michael Sturdivant 6-3/200 RS FR WR (Flower Mound, TX / Marcus HS) -The speedy and talented frosh missed much of the season with his hand in a cast with injury, playing in two games with no stats. Played four seasons of varsity football in high school, setting a school record for career receptions with 188 catches for 2303 yards and 23 touchdowns.

Mavin Anderson 6-0/200 RS FR WR (Mission Viejo HS, Mission Viejo, CA) -Anderson redshirted in his true frosh season in 2021. Combined for 67 receptions, 4018 yards receiving and 10 touchdowns during his two varsity seasons as a prep at Mission Viejo.

Tommy Christakos 6-4/220 RS FR WR (Chaparral HS, Scottsdale, AZ) -The big receiver has seen action in a total of eight contests, including two where he handled kickoffs as a 2020 freshman when he averaged 64.0 yards per kickoff on eight tries. Christakos is now exclusively a wide receiver and on special teams and is no longer as a kicker. He has yet to record a catch, though he narrowly missed an acrobatic reception in the 2021 Big Game win, hauling in a tough catch on a ball just out of bounds.

Mason Starling 6-4/205 JR WR (College Of San Mateo / Rainier Beach HS, Tacoma, WA) -The talented JC transfer will look to compete to start after enrolling in the spring. As a soph at CSM, Starling earned first-team All-National – Bay 6 Conference honors with 46 receptions for 703 yards and 13 touchdowns, ranking third in the state for a team that finished 10-2 overall, 4-1 in the National – Bay 6 Conference and reached the Northern California Championship Game before falling to City College of San Francisco

Justin Baker 5-10/190 RS FR WR (Kennedy Catholic HS, Bellevue, WA) -The speedy slot has played in 11 contests all off the bench since his 2020 arrival at Cal including 10 games as a redshirt frosh with seven receptions for 44 yards.

Monroe Young 6-0/215 RS SR WR (Onate HS, Las Cruces, NM) -The senior WR has played in 19 games over the last two-plus seasons after redshirting as a true freshman in 2018, primarily on special teams and as a backup wide receiver, adding six receptions for 72 yards

Mason Mangum 5-11/185 RS FR WR (Westlake HS, Austin, TX) -The Texas native has not accumated any stats so far. As a prep, Mangum was powerhouse Westlake’s all-time leading receiver, posting career totals of 159 receptions for 2828 yards with 40 touchdowns. The speedy Mangum also competes for Cal’s track team, standing number nine on Cal’s all-time long jump record list.

Aidan Lee 6-1/240 RS FR WR (Desert Ridge HS, Mesa, AZ) - Lee has played in 10 career gams at Cal but has not recorded any statistics other than participation. Compiled career totals of 112 receptions for 1538 yards receiving and 12 touchdowns, 38 rushes for 142 yards and nine kick returns for 174 yards to total 1854 all-purpose yards as a prep.

Summer Arrival: 1

Jaiven Plummer‍ 6-3/200 FR WR (Episcopal HS, Alexandria, VA) -A two-way prep player at wide receiver and defensive back. Earned first-team All-IAC honors at wide receiver as a 2021 senior in his lone season of action at Episcopal after transferring and seeing his junior season cancelled.

Tight End 5 current, no scholarship additions

With their three senior tight ends moving on, the Bears will return a young and talented TE corps that totalled just eight receptions for 71 yards and one TD that will need to step into the spotlight in 2022 and give the position more juice than in recent seasons.

Keleki Latu -6/230 SO TE (Jesuit HS, Sacramento, CA) -The athletic frosh who played mainly on defense in high school was a pleasant suprise in 2021, catching four passes for 48 yards including  a 24-yard TD reception in Cal’s win over Colorado. Latu was one of eight true freshmen to have played in 2021.

Jermaine Terry 6-4/255 SO TE (Kennedy HS/Richmond, CA) -One of the most highly-recruited prep tight ends in the country, Terry earned Cal's Dink Artal Award as its Offensive Scout Team Player of the Year and played in nine games, mainly on special teams. Terry had one reception for 11 yards against Colorado and was one of eight true freshman to play in 2021. Terry has dropped 15 lbs and reportedly has looked quicker in player led workouts.

Elijah Mojarro 6-4/235 RS SO TE (Orange Lutheran HS, Orange, CA) -The fourth year tight end played in 10 games, adding four catches for 12 yards on the season.

Nick Alftin 6-5/235 RS JR TE (Mitty HS, San Jose, CA) -Alftin earned honorable mention All-Pac-12 honors from the league's coaches and the Scott Duncan Award as the team's Most Valuable Special Teams Player, playing in all 12 games off the bench primarily as one of the club's top special teams players and a reserve tight end Alftin had both of Cal's blocked kicks and co-leads the Pac-12 while tying for second nationally with his pair of blocked kicks, both of which were punts, also adding a career-high six tackles

Jake Muller 6-5/235RS SO TE (Capistrano Valley HS, Mission Viejo, CA) -Muller played in one game in 2021 after redshirting in 2020, adding no stats.

Offensive Line: 9 current plus 6 summer additions

The Bears return a pair of starters Matthew Cindric and Ben Coleman and solid backup experience in Brian Driscoll and Braydon Rhome but will need some of the younger OL on the roster to step up for depth and will early contributions from their pair of grad transfers and maybe a freshman or two.

Ben Coleman 6-4/325 RS SO OG (Linfield Christian HS, Murrieta, CA) -Coleman has played in a total of 14 career games, including 11 starts all at left guard in 2021, earning All-Pac-12 honorable mention honors as well as Cal's Bob Tessier Award for the team's Most Improved Lineman on the offensive side of the ball and three off the bench as a 2020 freshman.

Matthew Cindric 6-4/295 RS JR C/OG (Skyline HS, Sammamish, WA) -The veteran OL has played in 28 games with 27 starts over the the last three seasons from 2019-21 with 14 starts at right guard and 13 at center. Cindric earned All-Pac-12 honorable mention as well as Cal's Frank Schlessinger Coaches Award for his outstanding athletic ability and academic success.

Brian Driscoll 6-4/315 RS SO OG/C (Torrey Pines HS, San Diego, CA) -Played in each of the team's first seven games off the bench in 2021 but missed the remainder of the season due to injury. Played in all four games off the bench in 2020 and one game as a true frosh in 2019.

Brayden Rohme 6-6/285 RS SO OT (Perry HS, Chandler, AZ) -Has played in 15 career games including four starts all at left tackle since his arrival at Cal in 2019. Played in nine games including his first two starts at left tackle in Cal's last two games in 2021. Played in all four games, starting the season-opener at UCLA and the season finale vs. Oregon in 2020 and one game as a true frosh vs. Utah in 2019.

Everett Johnson 6-7/320 SO OT (Turlock HS, Turlock, CA) -After redshirting in his true frosh season in 2020, Johnson saw the first action of his Cal career by playing in each of the last four games of the 2021 season, including his first career start at Arizona.

Bastian Swinney 6-6/305 RS FR OL (Edina HS, Minneapolis, MN) -The former 4 star prep redshirted his freshman season in 2021. The versatile lineman took reps at center in fall camp but has the skillset to play  all five OL positions.

Dylan Jemtegaard 6-4/300 RS FR OG (Yelm HS, Yelm, WA) -Redshirted with an injury as a true frosh in 2021. Played left tackle as a prep but projects as in interior lineman at Cal. 

Ryan Lange 6-6/325 RS FR OL (Pittsburg HS, Pittsburg, CA) -Redshirted his freshman season in 2021. Lange was a two-way player on the offensive and defensive lines for three varsity seasons as a prep before his 2020 senior season was cancelled in the fall. Earned preseason first-team All-State honors prior to his senior senior season.

Ender Aguilar 6-5/290 RS SO OL -Aguilar redshirted in 2020 as a true frosh and did not see action in 2021. Was two-way player who moved to offensive line as a prep senior after previously playing tight end and defensive line.

Summer Arrivals: 6

Spencer Lovell‍ 6-6/325 RS JR OG (Arizona State) grad transfer - The Bears got a key pickup to challenge Bastian Swinney or Everett Johnson to start opposite guard Brian Driscoll in the fall. Played in 27 of 30 possible games at ASU and was slated to start this season coming out of spring ball before announcing his transfer. Though it’s his fifth season, Lovell will have two remaining years of eligibility. Can play at either guard or tackle but might be better suited to play inside.

TJ Session‍ 6-4/295 RS SO OT (Montana State) portal transfer - Another much-needed OL pickup through the portal, Session will battle redshirt soph OT Brayden Rohme for the starting nod at RT. Started 10 games as a redshirt frosh at FCS runner-up Montana State on an OL that paved holes for the nation’s second-leading rusher Isaiah Ifanse (1623 yards) and the country’s seventh-ranked rushing offense (220.9 ypg).

Jackson Brown‍ 6-6/295 FR OT (San Ramon Valley HS, Danville, CA) -The incoming frosh was a two-year All-State, All-North Coast Section, All-Bay Area and All-East Bay Athletic League selection (2020, ’21) on the offensive line. Projects as a tackle at Cal but could play inside as well.

Trent Ramsey 6-5/290 FR OT East Lake HS/Palm Harbor, FL (2020)/Higley HS (2018-19) -Played his final season of high school football as a 2021 senior for a team that finished 7-3 overall, 2-0 in 3A Region 3 action and reached the first round of the FHSAA Football State Championships and for a team that finished 8-3 overall and reached the Florida 7A Football State Championships during his junior season and lone football campaign at East Lake in 2020. Also played basketball for an East Lake team that reached the Division 7A state final four as a junior in 2020-21, while winning a 7A District title in the shot put as a junior in the spring of 2021earned all-league as a 2018 sophomore at Higley while playing right tackle on the same offense as current Cal quarterback Kai Milner during his 2019 sophomore season.

Sioape Vatikani 6-3/320 FR OL (Bishop Manogue Catholic HS, Reno, NV) The big OG was a four-year starter on the offensive line and three-year starter on the defensive line, earning first-team All-State honors on the offensive line in each of his final three prep campaigns after picking up second-team honors as a 2018 freshman. Also threw the shot put and discus in track and field.

Nick Morrow 6-8/255 FR OT (Flagstaff HS, Flagstaff, AZ) -Saw action mostly at tight end and defensive end as a prep, with 19 receptions for 325 yards and three touchdowns on offense. Earned first-team All-Grand Canyon Region and second-team All-Conference as a 2020 junior. Morrow was a three-sport athlete who has also played varsity basketball and junior varsity baseball as a prep.

Nose Tackle: 2 Returners

The Bears have a pair of prototype nose tackles in redshirt frosh Stanley McKenzie and soph Ricky Correia along with rs soph Jaydon Roberts, who can play inside and out as well as both Brett Johnson and Darius Long, who both have seen a decent amount of time at DT or NT. The hope is that the McKenzie and Correia show full recovery from injuries in 2022. If not, look for some of the versative DEs  on the roster mentioned below to swing inside on occasion.

Ricky Correia 6-3/335 RS SO NT (Central HS, Fresno, CA) -The massive NT redshirted in 2020 and played in 10 games in 2021, adding 5 solo and 6 assisted tackles on the season as a frosh. As a prep, Correia earned Tri-River Athletic Conference Lineman of the Year honors as a 2019 senior by with 70 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, 5 1/2 sacks and one pass breakup to help Central to the Division I-AA State Championship Bowl Game, Fresno Section and NorCal Regional titles as well as a perfect 15-0 record.

Stanley McKenzie 6-2/350 RS FR NT (Honolulu, HI/St. Louis School) -The big NT redshirted in 2020 and missed 2021 due to injury. As a prep, McKenzie was selected to the 2020 Polynesian Bowl after being on the watch list for the Polynesian High School Football Player of the Year Award
and was first team all-state as a junior. Also played two seasons of baseball as a 2018 sophomore and 2019 junior

Defensive Line (DT/DE): 3 returning

With a staff who values position versatility, the trio of Brett Johnson, Jaedon Roberts and Darius Long give the Bears solid depth both inside and outside on the defensive line.

Brett Johnson 6-5/300 RS SO DL (Desert Vista, AZ/Phoenix, AZ) -The versatile DL has played in 17 games with 13 starts since arriving at Cal as a true freshman in 2019 and posted career totals of 46 tackles, 6 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, one pass breakup, one pass defended and one fumble recovery. Played in all 17 games possible during his first two seasons at Cal as a 2019 true freshman and 2020 sophomore before missing the 2021 campaign due to injury.

Jaedon Roberts 6-3/300 RS SO DL (Avon Old Farms HS/Marin City, CA) -Has played in 13 career games since his arrival at Cal in 2020 including career highs of 12 total contests and two starts as a 2021 redshirt frosh when he also had all five of his career tackles and 1 tackle for loss and 1 sack.

Darius Long 6-2/315 RS JR DL (College of San Mateo / Encinal HS, Alameda, CA) -The versatile JC transfer played in two games off the bench  with no stats in 2021.

Defensive End: 3 returning plus 1 summer addition

While talented defensive lineman Brett Johnson is expected to play both inside and out, the powerhouse redshirt soph will likely pair with coveted DE portal transfer Xavier Carlton as a blue chip DE bookend pair. Look for talented redshirt frosh DEs Derek Wilkins to see more time and for DE Ethan Saunders to continue to improve as he puts his 2020 season ending injury futher in the rear view mirror.

Xavier Carlton 6-6/275 SO DE ( Juan Diego Catholic HS/Utah/ Modesto Christian HS/Modesto, CA, University of Utah)  -The former 4 star, all-state defensive end played in 11 games with two starts in 2021 and contributed 18 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, 1 sack, one pass breakup and one quarterback hurry. Also played in all four games in 2020.

Ethan Saunders 6-3/280 RS SO DE (Orange Vista HS/Inglewood, CA)  -Saunders has played in 14 games in two seasons at Cal since his 2020 arrival and made one start, adding 21 tackles, 4 1/2 tackles for loss, 3 1/2 sacks, two forced fumbles and one quarterback hurry with all of his stats coming in 2021 other than one tackle and two games played during his 2020 freshman season when he came off the bench in each of the first two games he played before suffering a season-ending injury.

Derek Wilkins 6-5/295 RS FR DE (Santa Margarita Catholic HS/Irvine, CA) -The former 4 star defensive end played in three games all off the bench and all coming over the final four contests of the season and finished with two tackles as a true frosh in 2021.

Summer addition:

Nate Burrell 6-2/250 FR DE (St. John Bosco HS, Bellflower, CA) -The former 3 star defensive end had 46 tackles, 8 tackles for loss, 3 1/2 sacks, one pass defended and one forced fumble as a 2021 senior for a squad that reached the semifinals of the Southern Section Division I playoffs.

Inside Linebacker: 9 returners

The Bears are loaded with scholarship ILBs and accordingly didn't bring in a prep signee, though they added the Pac-12’s fifth leading tackler in DC Peter Sirmon’s son Jackson to shore up the middle of the D. After early season struggles at MLB, particularly in pass coverage, frosh LBs Trey Paster, Nate Rutchena and Femi Oladejo ended up seeing significant PT, playing very effectively for the Bears.

Jackson Sirmon 6-2/240 RS JR MLB (Brentwood Academy / Loyola HS / University of Washington) -Compiled four-year totals over 33 games played and 16 starts of 147 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, one interception returned 20 yards, one pass breakup, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and one safety. Earned honorable mention All-Pac-12 honors as a 2021 sophomore when he started all 12 games and finished tied for fifth in the Pac-12 with a career-high 91 tackles, while adding 0.5 tackles for loss, one forced fumble, one interception and one safety.

Femi Oladejo 6-3/250 SO MLB (Cosumnes Oaks HS/Elk Grove, CA) -Played in nine games as a true frosh in ‘21, including his first career start against Oregon State and contributed 36 tackles, 2 1/2 tackles for loss and two quarterback hurries, leading all Cal freshmen in tackles. Was one of eight true freshman to play in a game and one of four make a start.

Trey Paster 6-2/225 RS SO MLB (Buhach Colony HS/Merced, CA) -As a redshirt frosh, Paster played in 11 games with five starts and contributed 25 tackles, 4 1/2 tackles for loss, three pass breakups and two fumble recoveries that he returned for 55 yards including a 55-yard fumble return for a touchdown in the season finale against USC.

Nate Rutchena 6-3/225 SO ILB (Monte Vista HS/Danville, CA) -Earned Cal's Clint Evans Award as the team's most intense freshman competitor, playing in seven games with three starts. Shared the team lead with three interceptions along with 35 tackles, including 28 in his three starts, 3 tackles for loss, three pass breakups and one quarterback hurry.

Mo Iosefa 6-3/230 RS SO MLB (Mililani HS/Waipahu, HI) -Iosefa has played in 14 career games with 12 starts, with 70 tackles, 7 tackles for loss, one fumble recovery, four quarterback hurries and one pass breakup.

Blake Antzoulatos 6-2/230 RS SO MLB (Chaminade College Prep/Simi Valley, CA) -Antzoulatos has played in seven games, since the beginning of the 2019 season and posted five career tackles with all of them coming as a 2020 redshirt freshman. Has battled injuries during his time at Cal though was able to see some time on the field late in spring ball and is expected to push for PT in 2022.

Kaleb Elarms-Orr 6-2/230 RS FR ILB (Moreau Catholic HS/Hayward, CA) -A two-way player as a linebacker and tight end. Combined for 104 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, 15 sacks, one forced fumble, three fumble recoveries and one safety on defense as a 2018 sophomore and 2019 junior. Missed abbreviated senior season due to injury and redshirted his frosh season at Cal while recovering. Was back from injury to participate in spring ball on a somewhat limited basis, getting work at ILB rather than outside.

Kyle Smith 6-3/230 RS SO MLB (Los Gatos HS/Los Gatos, CA) -Smith has played in eight career games as a 2020 redshirt freshman and 2021 sophomore, primarily on special teams but has not recorded any stats other than participation after redshirting as a true freshman in 2019

Ryan Puskas 6-3/245 RS SO MLB (Liberty HS/Peoria, AZ) -As a redshirt frosh, Puskas played in 5 games with  tackles after redshirting in 2020.

Outside Linebacker: 7 returning + 4 summer additions

2022 will see a new look at OLB with starters Cam Goode and  Marqez Bimage graduating. Portal transfers Henry Ikahififo and Odua Isabor will push to start and DE Xavier Carlton will play both OLB and DE. Redshirt frosh Myles Williams opened lots of eyes with a strong spring and will definitely see playting time. Redshirt junior Braxten Croteau started six games before being supplanted by Bimage and will add experienced depth. Redshirt soph Orin Patu could also make a push to start with his solid pass rushing skills but needs to be better in the run game. Redshirt frosh Patrick Hisatake missed the season recuperating from a high school injury but really flashed when he got a chance to play this spring. Will be interesting to see if sackmaster frosh Curlee Thomas can make a run for PT, especially in passing situations.

Orin Patu 6-4/240 RS SO MLB (Rainier Beach HS/Seattle, WA) -Patu has played in 16 career games including one start as a 2020 redshirt freshman after redshirting as a 2019 true freshman and has recorded career totals of six tackles, 1 tackle for loss and 1 sack. Played in nine games with three tackles in  2021.

Myles Williams 6-3/240 RS FR OLB (Bishop Alemany HS/Woodland Hills, CA) -Played in all 12 games in 2021, mainly on special teams, recording three tackles. Williams added 42 tackles, 19 tackles for loss and 15 sacks as a junior in high school before his senior season was cancelled.

Braxten Croteau 6-5/255 RS JR OLB (Liberty HS/Peoria, AZ) -Croteau has played in 27 games with six starts since his 2019 arrival at Cal and posted career totals of 39 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, two quarterback hurries, one pass breakup and one pass defended. Recorded career-high 24 tackles and made all six of his career starts as a 2021 junior.

Patrick Hisatake 6-4/240 RS FR (Kalihi, HI/Westview HS/Portland, OR) -Missed his 2021 frosh season due to injury. Had 42 tackles and 7 sacks as a junior despite being limited to four games as a prep, with his senior season postponed past his early graduation.

Myles Jernigan 6-3/240 RS SO MLB (South Grand Prairie HS/Grand Prairie, TX) -Jernigan played in 9 games as a redshirt frosh, mainly on special teams, totalling 5 tackles for the season after switching from outside to inside linebacker. He’ll be back outside this fall after a spring switch back.

Iele Ieremia 6-3/260 RS FR OLB (St. John Bosco HS/Lakewood, CA) -The former New Zealand rugger came to the U.S. for football, playing for perennial power SJB. Redshirted his frosh season at Cal in 2021.

Akili Calhoun 6-4/280 RS FR DE (Liberty HS/Brentwood, CA) -The former 4 star defensive end played in one game in 2021 as a true frosh. The redshirt frosh made the move to OLB in the spring, though it remains to be seen if he’ll stay there or move back to DE. Calhoun was a two-way lineman as a defensive end and offensive tackle who played a combined 15 games during his two seasons of varsity football action before his 2020 senior campaign was canceled/postponed by COVID-19, earning second-team preseason All-State honors from Cal-Hi Sports and was listed as the No. 31 overall player in the state of California by 247Sports prior to the 2020 campaign.

Summer additions:

Henry Ikahihifo‍ 6-3/255 former College of the Canyon OLB/edge Henry Ikahihifo‍ will fill the role graduating senior Marquez Bimage played last season on the Bears’ roster. The hard-hitting Tongan was originally signed by Nevada as a 3 star tight end out of Paraclete High School in Lancaster, CA. He transferred last year to College of the Canyons where he transitioned to defense last season.

Odua Isibor‍ 6-3/260 former UCLA senior OLB Odua Isiborbeat out Auburn for the former Bruin. He’ll fill a similar edge player role as Ikahihifo, possibly on the other side. After starting out at OLB where he saw some starts as a freshman, he’s played mostly at defensive tackle the last couple seasons. He’ll move back to his more natural position at Cal.

Curlee Thomas 6-3/240 FR OLB (Nolan Catholic HS/Keller, TX) -Thomas finished with three-year prep totals of 195 tackles, 53 tackles for loss, 35 sacks, 101 quarterback hurries, two fumble recoveries and six forced fumbles as a defensive end. Finished as Nolan Catholic’s all-time leader in sacks with 32 during his two seasons at the school as a 2020 junior and 2021 senior while equaling the school’s single-season record and leading the state for sacks both seasons. Slated for a switch to outside linebacker at Cal.

Nunie Tuitele 6-4/235 FR OLB (Jesuit HS/Aurora, CO) - Tuitele played four seasons from 2018-21, with career totals of 101 tackles, 15 sacks, 38 quarterback hurries, one interception, one fumble recovery and one forced fumble on defense, while adding seven receptions for 66 yards on offense.

Cornerback: 5 returners + 2 summer arrivals

After the Bears’ defensive backfield struggled in coverage early last season, true frosh Lu-Magia Hearns took the reigns and put together an outstanding season along with fellow frosh Collin Gamble at nickel and corner. Talented Mater Dei incoming frosh Cam Sidney could make a similar run when he arrives. The Bears will count on redshirt sophs Isaiah Young, Tyson McWilliams and Kaleb Higgins for depth.

Lu-Magia Hearns 5-10/170 SO CB (De La Salle HS/Concord, CA) -The talented frosh earned honorable mention All-Pac-12 honors. Hearns played in 11 of 12 games with eight starts that were the most among four Cal true freshmen with at least one start. Led the team with 10 pass breakups and 11 passes defended, ranking tied for second in the Pac-12 in passes defended per game (1.00) as well as third in total pass breakups. Also had 28 tackles, one fumble recovery and one interception. 

Collin Gamble 5-10/200 RS SO CB (Liberty Christian HS/Flower Mound, TX) - Gamble played in 14 games since his arrival at Cal, with eight starts, 31 tackles, one interception, four pass breakups and five passes defended.

Isaiah Young 5-10/180 RS SO CB (Centennial HS/Eastvale, CA) -The redshirt frosh played in six games in 2021, showing promise in coverage, adding nine tackles -all solo.

Tyson McWilliams 6-2/200 RS FR (St. Augustine HS/San Diego, CA) -The redshirt frosh has yet to play since his arrival in 2020. Blocked two punts in fall camp. As a prep, McWilliams was a three-year varsity player who seen action on both sides of the ball and was also a key special teams player as both a punter and punt returner, finishing his career with 84 tackles, 7 tackles for loss, 1 sack, nine interceptions and three forced fumbles on defense

Kaleb HIggins 6-2/195 RS FR CB (Folsom HS/Folsom, CA / Austin, TX) -Higgins saw his first action as a Bear in the Big Game in 2021. As a prep, earned All-Sac-Joaquin Section and team Defensive MVP honors as a junior when he recorded 22 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, one interception that he returned 60 yards for a touchdown, six pass deflections, one forced fumble and one blocked punt in nine games played.

Summer additions

Cam Sidney 5-11/175 FR CB (Mater Dei HS/Riverside, CA) - Posted three-year varsity career totals of 70 tackles, 3.0 tackles for loss, three interceptions that he returned for 29 yards and one touchdown, 18 passes defended, two forced fumbles and two passes defended over 27 games played
– Had 40 tackles, 1.0 tackle for loss, 14 passes defended and one fumble recovery over 12 games as a 2021 senior for a squad that finished the campaign as the nation’s top-ranked team

Jeremiah Earby 6-2/170 FR CB (Menlo-Atherton HS/EastPalo Alto, CA) -Earby was a two-way wide receiver and defensive back with career defensive totals of 71 tackles, 1 tackle for loss and seven interceptions, along with 52 receptions for 1207 yards and 15 touchdowns, five rushes for 20 yards, earning first-team All-PAL honors as a 2021 senior.

Safety: 7 returners

The Bears lost veteran safety Elijah Hicks but bring back talented depth at the position, starting with the return of sixth year super senior Daniel Scott. Other candidates to start or for playing time are Craig Woodson, Ray Woodie and Miles Williams, with Hunter Barth also showing well in spring ball. Redshirt frosh Dejuan Butler and Fatu Iosefa also made their presence felt when they got the chance.

Daniel Scott 6-2/215 RS SR SAF (St. Francis HS/Pasadena, CA) - The Bears got a boost with the return of the veteran safety. Scott's played in 37 career games with 16 starts, with 122 tackles, 4 1/2 tackles for loss, one sack, one forced fumble, four interceptions returned for six yards and one touchdown, one fumble recovery, two quarterback hurries and two pass breakups over the last four seasons since redshirting as a true freshman in 2017.

Craig Woodson 6-0/215 RS SO SAF (South Grand Prairie HS/Grand Prairie, TX) -Has played in eight games with two starts since arriving at Cal as a true freshman in 2019 and posted career totals of 19 tackles, two pass breakups, two passes defended and one blocked kick when he blocked a punt in the season-opener of his 2020 redshirt freshman season at UCLA. Woodson should be firmly in mix to start opposite Daniel Scott this season if he fully-recovers from his injury on time.

Raymond Woodie 6-0/200 RS JR SAF (Palmetto, FL / Florida State / Florida State University HS) -The Florida State transfer played in 31 collegiate games with two starts, with 41 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, 1 1/2 sacks, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and one pass breakup. Played in all 12 games off the bench and contributed seven tackles in his first season at Cal as a 2021 junior. 

Miles Williams 6-0/190 RS SO SAF (Mansfield HS/Mansfield, TX) - Williams has played in 14 games on special teams and as a reserve safety during the last two seasons from 2020-21 after redshirting in his first campaign at Cal in 2019. Had three tackles, one interception and one pass defended in 2021.

Hunter Barth 6-2/210 RS FR SAF (Queen Creek HS/Chandler, AZ) -Barth played in four games in his redshirt frosh season, mainly on special teams, adding one tackle. As a prep, Barth had 160 tackles, 9 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, four interceptions, 18 passes defended, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and 16 quarterback hurries over 37 games.

Dejuan Butler 5-11/200 RS FR SAF (Antioch HS/Antioch, CA) -Butler played in one game, adding one tackle as a redshirt frosh. As a prep, Butler was a two-way, four-year varsity player who had 126 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, two interceptions and 18 pass breakups on defense, while adding 51 rushes for 543 yards and seven touchdowns as well as 16 receptions for 208 yards and two touchdowns on offense, earning Bay Valley Athletic League Defensive Player of the Year as a senior.

Fatu Iosefa 6-0/190 RS FR SAF (Mililani HS/Waipahu, HI) -Redshirted as a frosh in 2021. Named to the 2021 Polynesian Bowl as a prep. Iosefa is the younger brother of redshirt soph ILB Mo Iosefa. Can play either safety or corner but the big-hitting DB projects at safety.

Kicker: 1 returning

Longhetto returns for a third season as starter after improving significantly his junior season as one of the Pac-12’s leading kickers after struggling his soph season. Incoming frosh kicker Michael Luckhurst and his big leg could give Longhetto a run for his money.

Dario Longhetto 6-0/185 RS SR PK (Newbury Park HS/Newbury Park, CA / Bridgton Academy)  -Cal's active career scoring leader with 85 career points (15-20 FG, 40-41 PAT) while also kicking off 64 times for 3804 yards (59.4 avg) with 24 touchbacks. Recorded his career bests other than average yards per kickoff as a placekicker as a 2021 junior when he played in 11 games and scored a team-high 64 points on 11-of-14 field goals (79%) and 31-of-31 extra points (100%), as well as kicked off 55 times for 3285 yards with 19 touchbacks. Longhetto was money all spring, with strong accuracy and loft on all his kicks.

Punter: 1

Sheahan returns for his third season after a soid 2021. Big leg walk-on frosh kicker/punter MIchael Luckhurst could also serve as a backup to Sheahan.

Jamieson Sheahan 6-0/205 SR P (Geelong Grammar School/Bendigo, Australia) -Has played in 16 career games and is averaging 42.1 yards per punt, which is sixth on Cal's all-time list, on 72 punts covering 3030 yards while forcing opponents into 36 fair catches, pinning them inside their 20-yard line 12 times with only two touchbacks and a career long punt of 64 yards among his 11 punts of 50 or more yards. Posted all of his career highs as a 2021 senior when he played in all 12 games and averaged 43.1 yards per punt that is fourth on Cal's all-time single-season list on 53 punts for 2284 yards while forcing opponents into 27 fair catches and pinning them inside their 20-yardline on 10 occasions with only two touchbacks, and had a career long punt of 64 yards that was among his seven punts of 50 or more yards.

Longsnapper: 1

Slater Zellers 6-1/235 RS JR LS (Notre Dame Prep/Scottsdale, AZ) -Has played in each of the past 29 Cal games over the last three campaigns after redshirting as a 2018 true freshman and has made every snap on punts although he did not snap on field goals or PATs for three consecutive contests of his 2021 junior season (Oregon, Colorado, Oregon State) before resuming those duties for the remainder of the campaign beginning with the ninth game of the campaign at Arizona.

Positional scholarship breakdown:

QB: 3 + 1

RB: 4 + 1

WR: 9 + 1

TE: 5 

OL: 9 +6

DT: 2

DE: 3 +1

DL (DE/DT): 3

ILB: 9

OLB: 7 +4

CB: 5 +2

S: 7

K: 1

P: 1

LS: 1

73 +12 summer adds

Total scholarships as of June with new arrivals: 85

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