In today's Bear Insider Podcast, former Cal center and Bear Insider writer Rod Benson asks where is the connection between Cal Athletics, the university and former players?

It was a defensive day in the early heat on Sunday. The team practiced in shells (upper pads) in what they call a "Thud" session with plenty of hitting and contact and without tackling to the ground. There were plenty of interesting observations to be had.

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With a full turnover of the starting special teams specialists, the Bears are looking for a boost this season in their kicking game

The Bears have produced a steady stream of NFL talent from their Defensive Back corps the past few years posting nationally ranked Pass Defense Ratings along the way. Yet, they've never had a group this deep or talented.

The middle of the defense, the run stuffers, the pass rushers - this is the unit that needs to bring ball carriers to the ground, provide pressure by getting up the field, and to cover RBs and TEs in pass coverage. Cal's got plenty of new faces here.

With a big chunk of the Bears' key defensive linemen back after missing last season, the front line of defense could be much more formidable in 2023 than they were last season

There's a new commit, plenty of 2024 recruiting updates, and a few observations on the newcomers.

When the Bears take the field against North Texas, all eyes will be on new offensive line coach Mike Bloesch and his revamped unit. No group has been more responsible for Cal's offensive struggles than the big boys upfront. It was the priority this offseason.

In Jake Spavital's offense, a lot of WRs will play and catch balls. Where do the Bears stand in terms of depth and playmaking talent as Fall Camp approaches? The room has a blend of returning production and plenty of new faces

The Bears' tight end room was completely remade in the offseason, with portal transfers JT Byrne and Asher Alberding along with frosh Ben Marshall in and sophs Jermain Terry and Keleki Latu out. The new additions and soph Jack Endries will compete this fall to start for new TE coach Tim Plough

Some changes worth noting in terms of turnover, position changes and player weights

If there's one attraction that will be worth the price of admission this Fall, it will be watching burgeoning star Jaydn Ott tote the football. The ultra-talented Sophomore leads an almost completely restocked RB room behind a new OL and in a new Offensive system.

This is the first of our position breakdowns as we prepare for Fall Camp to begin on August 2nd. No position on the field is as pivotal in determining success in college football as that of the signal caller and the Bears have turned over most of the room heading into 2023

In today’s episode of the Bear Insider Ultimate Insider Podcast, Cal Hall of Fame QB and radio analyst Mike Pawlawski talks with Cal redshirt soph QB Sam Jackson about his spring ball performance, what brought him to Cal and more

A handful of new recruits are headed to campus in the next few days. Let's review who they are, the competitiveness of their recruitment, their rankings, and their projected impact on the 2023 team. (Marquise Montgomery pictured above)

Today we kick off the first of new Bear Insider contributor Rod Benson's blog. The former Cal hoops center from 2002-2006 will be doing regular blogs and podcasts focusing on Cal basketball for Bear Insider moving forward.

New Cal basketball head coach Mark Madsen talks with Bear Insider about his path to coaching and reviews his staff and portal additions along with the returning roster and incoming freshman players