Five Walk-Ons Earn Scholarships

Five Cal players who walked on the program have been awarded scholarships, the Cal Athletic Department confirmed to Bear Insider.

Redshirt juniior running back Alex Netherda (31 above), and seniors wide receiver Matt Rockett, cornerback Chibuzo Nwokocha, tight end Jake Ashton and tight end/fullback Justin Norbeck have all been elevated to full scholarship status.

Netherda, who is from Santa Rosa has played safety, linebacker, wide receiver and performed on special teams in additon ro running back. That is where he began his career before the coaches started moving him around. He saw a lot of action during spring practices when the ranks at the position were thin and made a favorable impression.

He is in line to get quite a few carries behind starter Patrick Laird.

Rockett, a 5-9 195-pounder out of Santa Ana'a Mater Dei High, has played in 28 games during his Cal career that has been interrupted by injuries. He has caught three passes, two in the 2014 game against BYU for 13 yards.

He has played on special teams and even blocked a punt. He has been a standout during Fall Camo.

Nwokocha, who is from Elk Grove, has played in ten games, nine of them in 2016. He played in one game last year, but his stock is evidently rising this fall.

Ashton, has played in six games in his career, three of them last year. He has been impressive in Fall Camp even given the large number of tight ends on the roster.

Norbeck, who joined the team from Golden West JC in 2014, can play both fullback and tight end and has been a busy participant during camp with Malik McMorris limited. He has played in one game, last year against Washington.