No mention of C on OL? Wykoff, Swinney at least prove solid, altho Swinney has been hampered by injury. Jemtegaard is an experienced C. Wykoff is a big dude and adds to the bulk of the left side.
Photo by Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Have the Bears improved themselves from last season?
With 60 new players on the roster and a brand new conference schedule, we take a look at the teams roster changes, new coaches and the schedule to compare the 2024 team to last years squad
QUARTERBACK:
Somewhat Improved
The addition of a proven starter in Chandler Rogers and the ongoing maturity and development of Fernando Mendoza speaks to this position improving, albeit not in an obviously material way.
RUNNING BACK:
Somewhat Improved
The retention of Jaydn Ott was the biggest offeseason win for the entire program. The return to health of Byron Cardwell and the addition of Kadarius Calloway create a higher ceiling for a room that has struggled to stay healthy in recent seasons
WIDE RECEIVERS:
Meaningfully Improved
This room has been transformed and despite the loss of Jeremiah Hunter has clearly and demonstrably been upgraded based on the practice play in Spring and thus far this Fall. Mikey Matthews. Kyion Grayes and Tobias Merriweather all are new transfer portal additions and as of this moment are the likely starters. The further addition of Jonathan Brady from the portal and Josiah Martin and Trevor Rogers from the prep ranks have resulted in three more potential immediate contributors. Add in the return of Trond Grizzel and a healthy Mavin Anderson and Mason Starling and this room is deep and talented
TIGHT ENDS:
Somewhat Improved
Cal returns rising star Jack Endries who is poised for a big season both as a blocker and receiver. And via the portal, the Bears have added one of the most productive Power 4 receiving TEs in Corey Dyches. There’s good depth with two returning blocking TEs in Jeffrey Johnson and JT Byrne, promising RS Freshman Ben Marshall and Nate Rutchena (coming over from ILB).
OFFENSIVE LINE:
Status Quo/Somewhat Improved
This was a difficult assessment as Cal clearly has added higher quality depth and has two high ceiling RS Freshman now in the mix. However, they lose a proven and versatile performer in Barrett Miller and a solid Center in Brian Driscoll. Will McDonald and Rush Reimer are both capable of starting and playing well at Guard though it’s not clear whether they represent an obvious upgrade to what the Bears had in 2023. The return and expected improvement from Sioape Vatikani and TJ Session creates optimism and the play this Spring and thus far in the Fall from Nick Morrow is very encouraging. However, Morrow will be playing LT for this first time in his football life. Another upside argument is that this will be the 2nd year in OL Coach Mike Bloesch system and that could reap improvements, however that may be mitigated as Bloesch will be taking on additional responsibilities as the teams Offensive Coordinator
OFFENSIVE COACHING:
Status Quo/Unknown
Mike Bloesch’s debt as the OC vs Texas Tech in the Indepenent Bowl wasn’t pretty though he had only had the job for less than three weeks and was working within former OC Jake Spavital’s system and framework. His track record at UNT is impressive and would seem to fit this unit’s personnel well (Power running meets a vertical passing game). TE coach Mike Saffel is new to being a full time assistant and to coaching Tight Ends and Sterlin Gilbert as the new QB coach and passing game coordinator brings with him a mixed resume
DEFENSIVE LINE:
Status Quo/Potential Downgrade
Cal loses veteran DTs Brett Johnson, Ethan Saunders, Jaedon Roberts and Darius Long. The first two of those were starters though Saunders missed almost all of 2023. They’ve been replaced with TJ Bollers and Aidan Keanaaina from the portal, both career backups at their previous schools and three true freshman. The return and positive trajectory of Ricky Correia is a positive as is having Stanley McKenzie fully back from his year off in 2022. Derek Wilkins and Akili Calhoun are both healthy and having solid camps.
OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS:
Status Quo/Somewhat Improved
The 7th year of eligibility for David Reese was among the biggest wins for Cal this offseason. He finished 2023 on a very high note. Xavier Carlton also returns and gives the Bears two veteran players who at worse are solid and have the potential to be difference makers. Key depth in Myles Williams returns as does Ryan McCulloch who replaced Myles Jernigan in the rotation in 2023. This Fall has seen transfer portal addition Cheik Fall really pop as a pass rusher and Serigne Tounkara provides future upside and depth. While it’s not obvious this group is going to change the fortunes of Cal’s less than ideal pass rush from 2023, there are more reasons for optimism than not.
INSIDE LINEBACKERS:
Status Quo/Somewhat Improved
Jackson Sirmon and KEO were good players in 2023 so this grade is not damning in the least. Cade Uluave is the real deal and played at a higher level than did KEO the back half of the season. Teddye Buchanan came in via the transfer portal and has played exceptionally well in Fall Camp. He’s likely not the physical run stop presence or coach on the field that Sirmon was, however he appears to be a more capable cover linebacker and blitzer. Those two feel like an upgrade over last years starters even if it’s not demonstrative. Depth on paper has taken a hit with a bunch of veteran departures and Liam Johnson currently nursing an injury as well as Nate Rutchena shifting to TE. However, true freshman Eze Osondu and particularly Aaron Hampton have had strong camps and Hunter Barth returns.
CORNERBACKS:
Meaningfully Improved
The addition of Marcus Harris gives Cal a potential NFL player with a lot of experience to bracket the teams best cover corner in 2023, Nohl Williams. Lu-Magia Hearns and Collin Gamble both return as experienced starters, the former is having a strong camp while the latter played well this Spring. Matt Littlejohn looks to have taken the jump that JC transfers so often do in their second year and new JC transfer Jair Smith has been a playmaker since arriving in Berkeley. Early impressions on true frosh Khamani Hudson have been positive as well. This groups ceiling has improved while depth is much better.
SAFETIES:
Status Quo
Craig Woodson’s return instantly put this unit in good shape. The veteran all conference player will be the leader of the defense on and off the field. Losing NFL draft choice Patrick McMorris hurts though Miles Williams finished 2023 on a high note and has played very well through the Spring and Fall. Newcomer Isaiah Crosby brings elite speed to the position and RS Sophomore Cameron Sidney is now a veteran of the system. It’s hard to project this group as clearly improved given the loss of McMorris and thus far Crosby has not earned a starting spot despite his physical gifts.
DEFENSIVE COACHING:
Status Quo
The staff returns intact, coming off the most challenging season in Wilcox’s tenure. A lethally tough schedule added to a lack of a pass rush and a disappointing Cornerback room resulted in a poor overall performance. The staff has committed itself to more man to man pass coverage, more blitzing and asking the lineman up front to do more gapping and penetrating. The first two of those changes are easy to see on the practice field. The third is less obvious and thus TBD. Given the strong play of the iLB unit, they may be rethinking this approach in order to better free up Buchanan and Uluave.
SPECIAL TEAMS:
Meaningfully Improved
The return of Punter Wilson and the addition of Ryan Coe alone makes this aspect of the team improved. What takes it up a notch is the bevy of proven return men (Brady, Mathews, Calloway) and the decision to put Ott back there when he’s needed. Plus, there are more large, fast players competing to be part of the coverage teams. The lack of the full time Special Teams coach is the one question given the results the past few seasons but the pieces are there for this to be a real strength for the Bears in 2024
SCHEDULE:
Somewhat Easier
There’s no doubt that the ACC in 2023 was not close as strong as the Pac-12 was this past season. Conversely, if the Pac 12 had stayed intact, an argument could be made that it would be looking up at the 2024 ACC. That’s in part because the ACC were the clear winners in the transfer portal with 5 of the teams in most portal rankings top 15 nationally. Add in the treacherous road trips and it’s not as obvious as it might have appeared last September that the schedule would be meaningfully easier.
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