Cal defensive tackle Stanley Saole-McKenzie on returning to full speed in 2024

The California Golden Bears should be deeper in the middle of the defensive line.

Stanley Saole-McKenzie had a quiet 2023, as he adjusted in getting back into game shape after not being with the team in 2022. He seems to be back in form now. Here’s his chat with the media near the end of spring practice.

On returning to Cal

It's been great. It's been good being out here with the boys. Again, just going at it. Just always trying to work that field, cause havoc in the backfield.

Violence, that's like our main emphasis as a D-line, just trying to be the most violent unit on the field.

On where progress has been made.

I've been seeing it on just creating havoc, just working upfield mainly. Like last season I was just kind of holding my ground, holding double. But this season I see myself making more plays and contributing more to the team.

What was that experience like last season?

It was not the ideal season that I wanted, but it was good, like working my way up and knowing what I have to work on for this upcoming season. So I'm ready.

On where the depth chart is at

I think right now coaches just mixing around, mixing and matching. Guys see which pairs work good together. But as far as I could see, Coach could play whoever he wanted at whatever time on the field. Looking like we could roll after four plays, keep fresh guys on the field every four plays.

On having so many contributions

Coming into spring ball with all the competition we have. It's pretty obvious how our all of our game elevated. And we're all like picking each, picking each other's brains, asking each other what we can do better on this program. Although we're competing, we're also working together as a D-line because that's how we're going to win games together as a group.

On players to watch out for

Akili Calhoun, hard-working guy. He comes off the ball. I don’t want to be the O-lineman lined up against him. We got R.J. [Stephens]. Very lower center of gravity, but he gets off the ball. And Tiu [Tiumalu Afalava]. He's been getting better. He's been getting better day by day. I think he's seen his progress right now, and he's been playing really good.

On how to move up the depth chart

The biggest thing for the younger guys I had to learn was confidence. I feel like maturity is really all based off confidence and I feel like the young guys right now, they're catching on to that and us older guys are trying to build their confidence and build them up because the more guys we have on the D-line, the better our defense is going to be.

On the ACC move

I'm just excited to go and play bigger competition. More out in the East Coast. Never really been to like states like New York, or out in Florida. Just excited to be out there and excited to play in that atmosphere and just really ready to make some noise, put Cal on the map.