New Bears in Town: Grad Transfer MLB Teddye Buchanan
One of the Bears' biggest additions to the 2024 portal recruiting class was the commitment of grad transfer middle linebacker Teddye Buchanan - the Bears’ first grad transfer pickup of the the 2024 class in December. Rated the top portal linebacker in the country by ESPN at the time, the Bears’ new MLB also had offers from Oregon State, Houston, Washington and Stanford before choosing Cal.
The junior MLB earned All-Conference honors in 2022 and 2023, leading the Aggies in tackles in 2023 with 71 and interceptions with 3. He also added 5 TFLs, 2 sacks, 2 QB hurries and 1 pass defended. In his three seasons at UCD, Buchanan totaled an impressive 8 overall interceptions from the linebacker position.
Buchanan reflected on what made the Bears the best fit for him.
"There were a lot of things," Buchanan said. "One, being a San Francisco guy, obviously the hometown school. I always looked up to the Cal team. Coach Wilcox and Coach Sirmon - Coach Wilcox being a defensive-minded coach and Coach Sirmon being not only my position coach but also the defensive coordinator. So the coaching there, and then I would just say the sense of community and family that I got here, a bunch of really good players, coaches, staff. Everyone seems like they really enjoy themselves here. So it was those kind of things that drew me here."
Even though he committed before the first semester, the SF MLB waited till June to make the move to Cal.
"A big part of the reason why I chose Davis in the first place was to get a really good education so it was important for me since I was so close to finishing to make sure I finished out and I was able to do that a few weeks ago. Graduated and then after that got to get up here. I’m super excited," Buchanan said. "it's been really great.
"I was kind of in limbo for about six months after I committed so being able to finally get up here was a blessing. It's been really great."
It didn’t take long for the new Bears MLB to feel at home and sense the camaraderie in the locker room.
"I do," Buchanan said. "I love those guys. A lot of young guys with some with some veterans mixed in. So it's been fun to get to know those guys and for me to be able to join them and start going through a lot of the same things together has been really fun."
Buchanan’s move also coincided with the Bears’ move to the ACC - a move that has him excited.
"Absolutely," Buchanan said. "For me, it's all I'm going to know anyway, but it's super cool. I think playing in the ACC is going to be a unique challenge. You know, flying every away game is going to be really cool to see new spots and I'm stoked"
The first two of those flights will be to storied football venues in the Bears’ non-conference road trip to Auburn and their first conference road trip to Tallahassee to face Florida State.
"Yeah, I've thought about it," Buchanan said. "I think it's gonna be really fun. Good challenge."
What are some of the things you're most looking forward to the season?
"Some of the things I'm looking forward to are putting on a Cal uniform and playing," Buchanan said. "That's always been a dream of mine so that's first thing. Obviously for me personally, the Davis game is going to be pretty fun week one. Super close to those guys and have a lot of respect for them. I think it's gonna be a really fun game. And then just playing in the ACC, I think that's another thing that's going to be really fun.
As for what he brings to the field for the Bears?
"I think as a fifth-year (player), I bring some experience," Buchanan said. "I think I'm an athletic player. I think I'm a good leader. So those are the kinds of things I bring.
"Go Bears!"
Stay tuned for more from the newest Bears in town coming up leading into fall camp.
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