Justin Wilcox is entering Year 6 as the head coach of the California Bears. Although the last two seasons were underwhelming, the Bears have had at least one player selected in the previous three NFL drafts. Will Cal’s professional development continue with their 2023 NFL Draft prospects, or are the Bears destined for a down year?
Cal prospects in the 2023 NFL Draft
While Cal has enjoyed recent NFL draft success, their last offensive player chosen came in 2017. While, on paper, that trend seems likely to continue this year, there is one Bears offensive prospect that landed on the Shrine Bowl 1000.
Jack Plummer, QB
After four productive years from Chase Garbers, Cal needs a new starting signal-caller. Thus, they plucked Purdue’s Jack Plummer from the transfer portal to compete with redshirt freshman Kai Millner for the position. Millner has impressive physical tools, but Plummer possesses something he doesn’t: experience.
In 21 games and 13 starts, Plummer recorded 3,405 yards and 26 touchdowns against 10 interceptions. Plummer could receive attention as a UDFA a la former Notre Dame QB Jack Coan if he can earn the starting role and maintain control throughout the year.
Damien Moore, RB
Christopher Brooks and Marcel Dancy are out, leaving the backfield to Damien Moore. He generated 729 yards and seven TDs on 131 carries last season, averaging over five yards per attempt. Moore is a 5’10” and 210-pound RB with a thick lower half and powerful stiff arm. While he doesn’t have breakaway speed or elite vision, he is a strong pass blocker and routinely gains yards after contact. An NFL draft selection is presumably out of reach, but a strong outing in 2022 could lead to a few looks in camp.
Jeremiah Hunter, WR
In his first year of action, Jeremiah Hunter corralled 21 catches for 388 yards and one score. That’s 18.5 yards per reception, showcasing his long speed. Hunter has the length and route-running prowess to become the first Cal receiver drafted since 2017. As a true junior, he may not declare this season, and his ceiling is limited by the QB play he receives. Nevertheless, Hunter has the potential to propel his draft stock this season.
Ben Coleman, OL
After starting 11 games at left guard in 2021 and earning an All-Pac-12 honorable mention, Ben Coleman is slated to take over left tackle duties this season. He garnered Cal’s Most Improved Lineman award last year and is a stout 6’4″ and 330 pounds. He is athletic enough to pull, and his play at left tackle can only increase his draft stock.
Spencer Lovell, G
A graduate transfer from Arizona State, Spencer Lovell is fighting for a starting guard position. He played in 27 games for the Sun Devils and was expected to start this season before taking his talents to Berkeley. Despite entering his fifth collegiate campaign, Lovell still has two years of eligibility remaining. He is versatile and proved to be an excellent pass blocker in the final five games of 2021. Still, the clock is ticking for Lovell to show enough to earn NFL consideration.
Matthew Cindric, C
Cal’s lone offensive representative on the Shrine Bowl 1000, Matthew Cindric returns for his fifth year. With 900+ snaps at both guard and center, he is the Bears’ most experienced lineman. Like Coleman, Cindric garnered All-Pac-12 honorable mention recognition a year ago. He needs to limit penalties, but he understands leverage and has steadily improved his play over the last three years.
Brian Driscoll, G
Brian Driscoll has played all three interior line positions as a depth piece for Cal. However, 2022 will be his first as a starter. He missed nearly half of last season with an upper-body injury, but reports this offseason say he is a full go. Driscoll’s inexperience has shown on tape, with missed assignments, over pursuits, and a lack of situational awareness present. Still, there is reason to believe that with more reps, he will improve — just as he did during contests.
Brayden Rohme, OT
Since arriving at Cal in 2019, Brayden Rohme has played 15 games with four starts at left tackle. He sports a 6’6″ and 285-pound frame with a light upper half. And although he is susceptible to power, his athleticism is a plus. Yet, unless Rohme improves his technique — hand placement, pass sets, etc. — he won’t be on the NFL’s radar after 2022.
Braxten Croteau, EDGE
2021 was Braxten Croteau’s first taste of being a starter. However, it didn’t translate in the box score — or on film. He hardly generated pressure, and he missed more tackles than you’d like. Additionally, he lacks a quick get-off and isn’t overly athletic. But it isn’t all negative with Croteau. He can set the edge in run defense, comes with a pass-rush plan, and plays with a hot motor. Still, Croteau is a solid college defensive lineman that will struggle to stick in the NFL.
Brett Johnson, DL
A car accident robbed Brett Johnson of his 2021 season, requiring him to undergo hip surgery. Yet, before the injury, he was one of Cal’s top defensive linemen. His presence made life easier for his teammates as he wrapped up well, filled gaps with ease, and even provided utility as a pass rusher.
Across his first two years, Johnson racked up 46 tackles, six tackles for loss, and three sacks. How he returns from injury will drastically alter his perception in NFL circles. If he can regain or even improve on his 2020 form, GMs could consider him on Day 3.
Ethan Saunders and Ricky Correia, DT
Ethan Saunders and Ricky Correia are both true juniors, so they don’t have to declare in 2022. Saunders has proven valuable in a part-time role, securing 3.5 sacks and two forced fumbles last season. Last year was his first real live action due to a season-ending injury that cut his 2020 campaign short. With starting snaps, another year removed from his injury, and a taste of the blood in the water, 2022 could be Saunders’ breakout season.
Correia is a massive nose tackle (6’4″, 335 pounds) with little playing time under his belt. But it won’t be long before decision-makers take notice if he can plug gaps with consistency and set his linebackers up for success next season.
Jackson Sirmon and Muelu Iosefa, LB
Jackson Sirmon transfers in from Washington, solidifying the linebacking corps. Junior Muelu Iosefa played by far the most snaps at the position for the Bears last season, but word out of camp is that he won’t retain his starting role in 2022. Still, he should see the field plenty as a depth option with an understanding of the defense’s requirements.
Sirmon leaves the Huskies with 147 tackles, one interception, and a pair of forced fumbles and recoveries after four seasons. He is a reliable tackler and a leader from the second level. Although he lacks fluidity in coverage, he generally keeps plays in front of him. The 6’2″, 240-pound LB can follow ball carriers through congestion and meet them in the hole. Sirmon will have fans in the league, and his neck roll is a throwback to previous generations of NFL linebackers.
Collin Gamble and Isaiah Young, CB
Collin Gamble and Isaiah Young are Cal’s veterans in the cornerback room — and they are true juniors. Gamble recorded a pick and four pass breakups last year, limiting receivers after the catch. He forms an underrated duo with sophomore Lu-Magia Hearns III.
Young flashed his skill set in 2021, producing five PBUs of his own. He played well in the spring, snatching interceptions and coming down in run support. That should translate to an increase in playing time this season, offering him the platform to put his tools on display.
Daniel Scott, S
As a sixth-year senior, Daniel Scott will turn 25 years old in his rookie year. And despite his age and length of tenure at Cal, he only saw significant playing time in 2021. Regardless, it was his coming-out party, as Scott notched 82 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, and three interceptions.
The Cal DB possesses solid size (6’2″, 215 pounds) and demonstrated his versatility with 100+ snaps in the box, slot, and at deep safety. His trigger downhill is impressive, and he quickly identifies plays. If Scott builds off his 2021 campaign, he should keep Cal’s tradition of sending safeties to the NFL draft alive in 2023.
Craig Woodson and Raymond Woodie III, S
Craig Woodson and Raymond Woodie III are vying for the starting safety spot opposite Scott. Woodson played in all four games and started two in 2020. He flashed his ability to make big plays, registering two pass breakups and a blocked punt. And he was strong against the run, coming down and wrapping up ball carriers with proper technique. However, a lower-body injury ended his 2021 campaign before it began. Picking up where he left off will go a long way to helping the Bears’ defensive unit as well as his NFL attention.
Woodie is a former four-star recruit who transferred from Florida State last season. He came out of high school full of potential — top-end speed, physical playstyle, and kick return ability. Yet, he hasn’t played notable minutes in his collegiate career. Unless he earns a starting role as a senior, Woodie’s clock may run out.