Cal undrafted free agents: Chase Garbers to Raiders, Jake Tonges to Bears, Kuony Deng to Falcons
Several other Golden Bears made NFL shots
Aside from Cameron Goode and Elijah Hicks getting selected in the NFL draft, a host of other Cal players will get their shot.
Quarterback Chase Garbers to Las Vegas Raiders
Garbers gets his NFL shot close to home in Vegas. The Raiders have a solid two-deep at quarterback with Derek Carr and Nick Mullens, so Garbers will have to battle out journeyman Garrett Gilbert to win that third spot.
Garbers’s journey was featured in the documentary short film Determined, which you can watch on YouTube. Full story available here.
Tight end Jake Tonges to Chicago Bears
Tonges joins Elijah Hicks in the Windy City to try and break into the tight end rotation. Chicago is a bit short on tight end depth (only four signed so far compared to the average five seen on most NFL teams), so he’ll get a fair shot. He will be battling fellow tight end UDFAs Jake Allen from Iowa State and Johnny Huntley from Liberty.
Cornerback Josh Drayden to Washington Commanders
Drayden will get his NFL shot in the nation’s capital in a team that needs defensive backs. Washington drafted Christian Holmes out of Oklahoma State with their final pick but didn’t shore up secondary depth through the draft so Drayden should have opportunities to shine in camp.
Linebacker Kuony Deng to Atlanta Falcons
Deng did not get to see the field much his senior season due to injury, but he’ll get a chance to prove his NFL worth in Atlanta. The Falcons do have nine linebackers (including drafting two linebackers and an edge), which puts them close to capacity, but there should still be room if Deng proves himself in camp.
Wide receiver Kekoa Crawford to Indianapolis Colts
Indianapolis needed wide receivers in the draft, which is why the Colts took Alec Pierce with their first pick in the second round. There is still availability after that with only eight wideouts, so Crawford will likely battle it out with Samson Nacua and Michael Young Jr. to land on the final 53.
Wide receiver Trevon Clark to Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens only currently have six wide receivers on their roster, and then didn’t draft any wide receivers. There’s an opportunity for Clark here.
Clark will reunite with a former Golden Bear—Mississippi State transfer Makai Polk will also get a UDFA opportunity in Baltimore. Devon Williams, Emeka Emezie, and Slade Bolden also were signed in the undrafted market, so it’s likely at least one or two of that group will make the 53 man or practice squad.
Best wishes to these Bears. Some of these guys will find good homes and have nice careers. All of them will remain Bears for life.
seems like a good spot for Chase