Cal Football Depth Chart: Preseason Edition
The official depth chart was released, plus my own based on fall camp impressions
Coming into fall camp, there were significant questions as to what the identity of 2023 Cal Football would be. Amidst the chaos of realignment, there were still practices going on in preparation for the Pac 12’s swansong season. It’s a critical year for Head Coach Justin Wilcox, where he looks to be taking a different offensive approach in hiring former Cal OC Jake Spavital. As fall camp came and went, some questions were answered while answers to others remain in limbo. Here’s my take on where the depth chart stands to the best of my knowledge heading into week one against North Texas.
Cal has released their official depth chart for week 1 vs UNT, you can find it here starting with Sam Jackson V at starting QB:
The following below was my speculation on the depth chart until its release this morning
Quarterback: Sam Jackson V/Ben Finley/Fernando Mendoza
During spring ball and fall camp, Cal fans wanted the answers as to whether TCU transfer Sam Jackson V would look to be the future of the Bears under center. Early returns from spring ball and fall camp alike provided less than stellar results to these desires, as Jackson was plagued by turnovers. In recent practices, his decision making and poise have improved, leading me to believe that he will be the starter for the Bears come week one. Ben Finley isn’t too far behind, as he has shown a willingness to use his athleticism to extend plays throughout fall. If the coaches along with Jackson illustrate too much of a willingness to be a pocket passer, Finley could see action sooner than later. Fernando Mendoza is on the outside looking in for now, but has shown good spurts in his limited time with the starters.
Running back: Jaydn Ott/Isaiah Ifanse/Ashton Stredick/Andy Alfieri*
Not much out of the ordinary here as Jaydn Ott will go into the season as the bellcow back. Jake Spavital has shown a willingness to use multiple backs, so I would expect Isaiah Ifanse and Ashton Stredick to see the field in some capacity this year. In particular, I’m intrigued to see just how much Ifanse can show this year with his accolades at Montana State and how he’s transitioning to a lesser role here. Jaivian Thomas is on the outside looking in and should Justin Williams-Thomas return this season, he may also look to break into the rotation.
*Andy Alfieri has been put in several 4th and short/goal line situations throughout camp. I would not be surprised to see him in action at some point should those situations arise.
Wide Receiver: (X) Jeremiah Hunter/Brian Hightower
(Slot) Mavin Anderson/Marquez Dortch
(Z) Monroe Young/Taj Davis/Trond Grizzell
One of the position groups with the most depth this year is the wide receiver room. As Fernando Mendoza described it, the room is “stacked” and he’s not lying. Every single name I’ve listed can and will probably see the field in some significant capacity this season. Trond Grizzell, Taj Davis, and Brian Hightower were the big winners during fall camp, cementing their spots in a deep Golden Bear rotation. Marquis Montgomery and Mason Mangum are currently on the outside lookin in for snaps, but any injury will have a more than qualified backup stepping in their place.
Tight End: Jack Endries/JT Byrne
The tight ends as a whole struggled last season in finding any identity. Their purpose has been reshuffled in both the running and passing game under Jake Spavital, but how much that shows throughout the season remains to be seen. Justin Wilcox noted that the group was a “work in progress” but that Jack Endries “made a jump”. Mendoza has also sang Endries praises so he looks to have won the job, with JT Byrne taking the bulk of the backup tight end snaps. Asher Alberding is on the outside looking in with Jeffrey Johnson also ready to shift back should injuries occur.
Offensive Line(LT-RT): Barrett Miller, Brian Driscoll, Matthew Cindric, Sioape Vatikani, TJ Session
Second team: Ender Aguilar, Bastian Swinney, DaShaun Harris, Matthew Wykoff, Brayden Rohme
Another group where not much has changed during fall camp is the offensive line. The only question remained with the left tackle position, where Barrett Miller has taken charge in the starting group. There has been noticeable improvement from the offensive line compared to last season, but how much is the question. Last year’s offense cratered under inconsistent line play but this years group looks to be at least 3 notches better. Matthew Wykoff and Brayden Rohme look to be serviceable backups and Ender Aguilar had spot action last season. Bastian Swinney and DaShaun Harris are the only unknowns should they be pressed into action.
Defensive End: Brett Johnson/Nate Burrell
Ethan Saunders/Derek Wilkins
Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the return of Brett Johnson. After several years away due to injury, Johnson will be making his return this year with a full time change at the defensive end position. During camp, Nate Burrell was active and making plays in his pursuit of quarterbacks. The battle between him and Ethan Saunders will be intriguing to see as the season progresses but I do worry about depth if anyone gets banged up. While the OLB’s will help, it is still a concern.
Nose Guard: Stanley Saole-Mckenzie/Ricky Correia
This groups to me is a lot more interchangeable between the returning Stanley Saole-Mckenzie and Ricky Correia. For example, I could see Correia starting against North Texas but Saole-Mckenzie taking more snaps over the course of the season as he works himself back into game shape. Cal has had a tough time with nose guards over the last few seasons, with guys playing out of position like Brett Johnson and then simply just not having enough production. I’ll be interested to see if anyone can get back to Chris Palmer’s level of taking up space in the interior.
Outside Linebackers: Xavier Carlton/Myles Jernigan
David Reese/Myles Williams
These four names have separated themselves among the fight for the outside linebacker roles. Both Xavier Carlton and Myles Jernigan were serviceable last season but struggled against top end competition. With the return of Brett Johnson, this should free up both of them and David Reese to get in the backfield. Reese is a game wrecker with a deadly first step, so the further he comes along, the better the pass rush will get.
Inside Linebackers: Jackson Sirmon/Kaleb Elarms-Orr
Sergio Allen/Mo Iosefa/Blake Antzoulatos/Hunter Barth
Coming into fall camp, the second inside linebacker position was completely undecided with the departure of Femi Oladejo. At first, it seemed like Clemson transfer Sergio Allen was the favorite for the job but then got dinged up during fall camp. Kaleb Elarms-Orr took this opportunity and ran with it, and is looking like he will be the day one starter in Denton. Mo Iosefa, Blake Antzoulatos, and Huner Barth are on the outside looking in, with Barth specializing in passing situations. Nate Rutchena is out with an injury and if he returns he will also be in this fight for backup snaps.
Cornerbacks: Nohl Williams/Lu Magia Hearns
Jeremiah Earby/Tyson McWilliams/Isaiah Young/Kaylin Moore
Unlike last season, cornerback should be a position of strength this season. Bringing in UNLV transfer Nohl Williams will be a big get for the defensive back room, in addition to having the voice of Josh Drayden as a grad assistant this year. Jeremiah Earby and Lu Magia Hearns have had a spirited battle throughout fall camp, with Hearns looking like he will win out even as Earby had a good finish to training camp. I wouldn’t be surprised to see them go back and forth as the season progresses and things become more matchup based. Tyson McWilliams, Isaiah Young, and Kaylin Moore are on the outside looking in should anyone go down with an injury.
Nickel: Matthew Littlejohn/Cam Sidney
Coming into training camp, there was some discussion about moving Lu Magia Hearns to nickelback and have Earby play outside, but those talks subsided as Matthew Littlejohn has entered the fold. Littlejohn has had a nice nack for making plays throughout camp, both in run support and in the passing game. Cam Sidney will be backing him up in a relatively unproven group that will have to get it done with Collin Gamble out for the year.
Safety: Craig Woodson/Patrick McMorris
Miles Williams/Raymond Woodie III
Earlier I mentioned that the wide receiver room was stacked. The secondary as a whole is just as stacked, with the safeties leading the backline of the defense with tremendous top end talent and depth. Craig Woodson has recemented his spot as safety while SDSU transfer Patrick McMorris has taken the other spot. Raymond Woodie III had a nice fall camp and looks to be the first man off the sideline should his services be needed. All four safeties mentioned here have looked good throughout training camp and are among the strongest position groups under Terrence Brown and Tre Watson.
Kicker: Michael Luckhurst/Mateen Bhaghani
No surprises here as Michael Luckhurst will start the season as kicker. Mateen Bhaghani took a lot of reps during kickoff situations, so that will be something to note as the season gets underway when evaluating kickoff coverage.
Punter: Lachlan Wilson/Thomas Lee
Much like above, no shocker here with Lachlan Wilson winning the punting. His hangtime during punts have been solid.
Long Snapper: David Bird
Punt Return: Jeremiah Hunter/Taj Davis/Nohl Williams
Several guys took a stab at being punt returners throughout fall camp. It looks like Jeremiah Hunter will start the season back there with Taj Davis in tow should special teams need an explosive play.
Kick Return: Mavin Anderson/Marquez Dortch/Jaivian Thomas
Last season Mavin Anderson took reps at kick return and looks to be doing more of the same this year. With the departure of Ashton Hayes, Marquez Dortch looks to be the next man in line for kick return duties with his shiftiness. Jaivian Thomas is the emergency return man as he has taken reps back there during special teams drills.
What are your impressions of the official Cal depth chart plus my own? Strengths? Concerns?
Interesting comment by Spav. He said Malik McMorris is one of his top 5 favorite players he's ever coached!!
Go Bears!
It's nice to get back to football in the midst of our existential crisis.
It reminds me of JP Sarte's No Exit or Malraux's Man's Fate, both staples of my Philosophy 7 class freshman year.