The Spring Football Recap: The Linebackers

The 2019 Spring Football Recap

The Linebackers:

Under  Wilcox and DeRuyter’s 3-4 defense scheme, the linebackers have established themselves as the star units as they come off a 2018 season where two of Cal’s linebacking unit earned All Pac 12 honors while leading the Bears to a top 10 National ranking as an overall defense.   This Spring saw Alex Funches and Jordan Kunasyzk graduate and a slew of youngsters compete to earn their spots in the rotation.   Good health and depth of talent marked this group all Spring where the focus was at ILB where the competition was fierce.

The Spring Group:

Evan Weaver‍ 

Cameron Goode‍ 

Kuony Deng‍ 

Evan Tattersall‍ 

Colt Doughty‍ 

Nick Alftin‍ 

Louis Bickett‍ 

Orin Patu‍ 

Joseph Ogunbanjo‍ 

Ben Moos‍ 

JH Tevis‍ 

Deon White

The Recap:

The best news was seeing Cameron Goode back on the field going full speed after missing most of 2018.  Goode was nearly unrecognizable after adding 20+ lbs.  His length, speed, and playmaking ability are special, positioning Goode for an All Pac 12 season at OLB.  Evan Weaver didn’t take many reps this Spring but those he did were at full speed.  Weaver spent quite a bit of time setting the tone in drills and mentoring the younger LBs.  He’s a clear leader on this defense and the team as a whole.  JC All American Kuony Deng got the majority of the first-team snaps at ILB alongside Weaver.   Deng’s 6’6 frame and raw athleticism scream OLB but the Bears likely need him inside where there are more question marks than outside.  Deng looked very much like a JC player transitioning to a Power 5 school and to a new position.  He was thinking a lot rather than playing fast.  Where he shined immediately was dropping into pass coverage.  He’s a one-man zone with his long arms and speed.   Lots of compelling young talent on the outside with Nick Alftin and Orin Patu looking particularly adept as pass rushers off the edge.   Evan Tattersall is the enigma on the inside.  Physical and athletic, on many reps, he looked like an Evan Weaver clone.  His challenge is to be consistent with his reads and effort.  Deon White and Louis Bickett both look physically more like safeties than ILBs but both flashed during Spring ball.  Their quickness and agility allowed them to get up the field on running plays while being effective dropping into pass coverage.  Their development will be key with the transfer of Evan Rambo to Texas Tech.

Going into Fall Camp:   

Lots of storylines to follow here - Can Weaver and Goode stay healthy?   Who earns the starting spot alongside Weaver on the inside?  Can Deng prove versatile enough to play both inside and out?  Does the light go on for Tattersall?  Which of the young returning OLBs gets into the rotation?   There are four highly touted incoming freshman who have yet to get on campus at LB, might they have a chance to earn immediate playing time?

Previous Recaps:

Running Backs / Quarterbacks / Wide Receivers / Offensive Line / Defensive Line