Bears Cornerback Hezekiah Masses Drafted by Raiders in Fifth Round

The pick is in.

Cal cornerback Hezekiah Masses was selected by the Las Vegas Raiders in the fifth round of the 2026 NFL Draft at pick No. 175.

Masses, who spent the 2025 season in Berkeley after three years at Florida International, was the lone Bear to hear their name called from the three-day spectacle in Pittsburgh.

“Man, it’s crazy,” Masses said in his first media availability with Las Vegas. “The Raiders, man. Just crazy. The franchise history. Just an excellent foundation. It’s just so real. Growing up, I’ve always wanted to be in the NFL, and I’m finally here.

“So, I’m not taking it lightly. All gas, no brakes.”

At 6-foot-1 and 185 pounds, Masses impressed NFL scouts with his ball-hawking abilities.

Masses was a First-Team All-ACC honoree and an Associated Press (AP) Second-Team All-American in 2025 after collecting a nation-leading 18 pass breakups — 13 passes defensed and 5 interceptions.

“I just feel like my IQ and my instincts when I’m on the field are unmatched,” Masses said.

The Raiders clearly liked what they saw in Masses.

In fact, Masses is the first Bear the Raiders have drafted since Nnamdi Asomugha in 2003 at No. 31 overall.

“It was smooth,” Masses said of his pre-draft interactions with Las Vegas. “We had a couple Zooms. Talked with the cornerback coach (presumably defensive back coach Joe Woods). We just had a couple of interactions that went good.”

Masses acknowledged Cal head athletic performance coach Jason Novak for helping him “execute” a “plan” to get bigger and stronger, which started last spring.

Masses has also shouted out former Bears defensive coaches Allen Brown and Terrence Brown for helping him improve his game after he entered his lone Berkeley campaign with 105 combined tackles, 12 passes defended and two interceptions under his belt with Florida International.

“Man, Cal did a lot for me,” Masses said after Pro Day in Berkeley. “Ain’t nothing (else) I can ask for. They got me bigger, stronger … prepared me the right way on the field and off the field.”

Now, after time well spent in the Bay, Masses joins former Cal quarterback and fellow Florida native Fernando Mendoza in Sin City.

“They had definitely talked about (Mendoza) in the locker room,” Masses said. “They just say Fernando is a great guy and is always himself, and then, great leadership.”

Masses is the 10^th Bears defensive back to hear his name called over the last seven drafts, joining Ashtyn Davis (2020), Jaylinn Hawkins (2020), Camryn Bynum (2021), Elijah Hicks (2022), Daniel Scott (2023), Patrick McMorris (2024), Nohl Williams (2025), Craig Woodson (2025) and Marcus Harris (2025).