Change is inevitable, and the California Golden Bears are hoping a pivot to a new conference will help them break out of a middle-of-the-pack funk that plagued them in the Pac-12. With 15 starters returning from a team that finished the season 6-7, coach Justin Wilcox will attempt to make the Bears’ first season Atlantic Coast Conference, however disorienting, a big one.
Let’s take a look and see which 10 players will help elevate Cal to a potential winning season in 2024.
California Golden Bears Top 10 Returners in 2024
Analyzing the returning players at every school is a difficult task in the transfer portal area. As such, we’ve included transfer-portal athletes that were included on each team’s roster page to open fall camp in addition to the rostered players from last year.
10) T.J. Sessions, Offensive Line
Sessions has been a stalwart for the Bears with two seasons as a starter since transferring from Montana State. He started every game at right tackle in 2023 and has played in 34 games (30 career starts) between his two stops.
Sessions was one of the anchors for a Cal squad that ran for 172.8 yards per game and ranked fourth in the Pac-12 in rushing last year. His ability to open holes for the stellar Jaydn Ott will be a key piece for the Bears as they look to establish an identity in a new conference.
9) Fernando Mendoza, Quarterback
In a bit of a twist, Mendoza was not the only quarterback to travel to ACC Media Days. North Texas transfer Chandler Rogers also made the trip. Mendoza is expected to start — despite the competition — and continue a career that already includes a Pac-12 Offensive Freshman Of The Year Honorable Mention selection as voted on by the coaches.
In the nine games that Mendoza played in, he compiled a 63% completion rate for 1,708 yards, 14 touchdown passes, and 10 interceptions. It may be the high rate of turnovers that has Mendoza fighting for a job, but if he can secure a starting spot it should justify a much higher ranking on next year’s list.
8) Cade Uluave, Linebacker
The talented freshman played in all 13 games for the 2023 season, starting six of them and posting numbers well above projections. Uluave’s 66 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, three recoveries, and two interceptions read like the football version of a 5×5 stat line in basketball. To top it off, he returned one of those fumbles for 51 yards and a touchdown.
All that production led to Uluave being named the Pac-12 Defensive Freshman of the Year amongst a slew of other accolades, including several freshman All-American nods. A big year for the athletic, tough linebacker would be huge for the Cal defense.
7) Marcus Harris, Defensive Back
Harris joins a Bears secondary that could use his services to improve upon a next-to-last-place finish in the Pac-12 for passing defense in 2023. Entering his first year at Cal, Harris has played in 40 games (34 starts) across three seasons at Idaho. In his junior season, he compiled 51 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, and three interceptions — including one for a touchdown — and 10 pass breakups.
Harris also brings with him the experience of an FCS quarterfinal appearance and should be a critical piece for the Bears as they continue to build a defensive juggernaut under head coach Justin Wilcox.
6) Corey Dyches, Tight End
Dyches comes to Cal from Maryland via the transfer portal where he was a third-team All-Big Ten selection in 2023. Dyches is a big get for Cal; he was the sixth-ranked tight end by On3. While he should split some time with sophomore Jack Endries, Dyches has plenty of potential for production.
He had 49 receptions for 491 yards and two touchdowns as a junior, which followed up a 39-reception, 494-yard, three-touchdown season as a sophomore. Dyches is a good weapon to have as the Bears travel to the East Coast.
5) Nohl Williams, Defensive Back
Williams returns for the Bears after a strong campaign in 2023. After transferring from UNLV, Williams had career-high marks in tackles (53) and tackles for loss with (two), in addition to having two interceptions, six pass breakups, and two fumble recoveries that both went for touchdowns.
Williams has a good frame for the position at 6’1” and 200 pounds and showcased his speed on a 52-yard scoop-and-score. His experience and consistency are the reasons the fifth-year senior made the Reese’s Senior Bowl watch list.
4) Trond Grizzell, Wide Receiver
As a sophomore, Grizzell played in all 13 games for the Golden Bears and posted strong numbers with 39 receptions for 590 yards and five touchdowns. His breakout game came against rival Stanford, where he posted seven receptions for 136 yards and two scores. His 54-yard grab ended up being the longest of Cal’s season.
He’ll be the top option for whoever takes the reins at quarterback, and at 6’4″ and 205 pounds, he provides a big target on the outside that should help the Bears stretch the field.
3) David Reese, Linebacker
The only seventh-year player on the roster, Reese was an honorable mention for the All-Pac-12 team and played in all 13 games in 2023. The transfer from Florida adjusted well to his new home in Berkeley with 36 tackles, eight tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, four quarterback hurries, and three forced fumbles.
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Reese played his best ball toward the end of the season, which should bode well for the Bears in 2024. At 6’2″ and 240 pounds, Reese provides necessary versatility and physicality off the edge.
2) Craig Woodson, Safety
Having played in 33 games since arriving in Berkeley as a freshman, Woodson is a foundational player that should help the defense be one of the better units in the ACC. He had career highs in tackles (81), tackles for loss (3.5), forced fumbles (two), and pass breakups (four). He added an interception for good measure.
Woodson should have a major impact in the secondary for the Bears. At 6’0″ and 210 pounds, he has the versatility to make plays near the line of scrimmage and in the defensive backfield. That’s likely why the sixth-year player is on the Reese’s Senior Bowl watch list for 2024.
1) Jaydn Ott, Running Back
The definition of a bell cow at running back, Ott flashed the kind of downhill ability that makes defenses break into a sweat. As a sophomore, he rushed for 1,315 yards and 12 touchdowns on 5.4 yards per carry. To add, he also caught 25 passes out of the backfield and scored two more touchdowns.
Ott’s ability to break tackles combined with great long speed makes him an instant big-play threat. His skill set landed him at No. 83 on the College Football Network Top 100 list.
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