There’s a lot to be excited about if you’re a California Golden Bears fan, but that doesn’t mean every position on the field is quite settled. The Cal defense has multiple question marks, starting right at the point of attack.
Cal’s defensive line enters this season having lost its most proven production. Aidan Keanaaina (undrafted to the Detroit Lions) is the biggest departure upfront, after finishing 2025 with 56 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, and 1.5 sacks, while T.J. Bollers (undrafted to the Jacksonville Jaguars) also exited after posting 41 tackles, 0.5 TFL, and 0.5 sack.
With Zae Smith also moving on, there are still a plethora of linemen returning to Cal’s roster. Returning production mostly came from BJ Canady (9 tackles, 2.0 TFL, and 1.0 sack), Stanley Saole-McKenzie, and Derek Wilkins (12 tackles each). Canady flashed as a disruptor in the backfield, and Wilkins and Saole-McKenzie are expected to be two-deep contributors (if not potential starters). Nate Burrell missed the 2025 season, but got marked as a potential two-deep defensive end in the spring.
The portal also brings three players with solid game experience and production. Jericho Johnson is the name to watch, coming in from Oregon, where his 6-4, 345-pound frame could make him Cal’s biggest interior force in ages. Jayden Williams arrives from North Texas as another wildcard presence with run defense bona fides at 6-2, 315 pounds, and Ashun Shepphard is another experienced body with plenty of reps at Mississippi State.
After not seeing much action in 2025, LeBron Williams, R.J. Stephens, and Legend Journey will attempt to navigate their way into the rotation. Cal also brings in Lucky Schirmer, Nemyah Telona, Frank Fanua from their freshman recruiting class; with how many bodies are in the room, playing time will be a pitched weekly battle.
That leaves Cal with a defensive line that is relatively young in terms of established impact and still largely unproven at this level. They have bodies, size, and enough veterans in the room to avoid a total reset, but the known production is limited outside of a few names. Cal has enough veteran depth to formulate a two-deep in their three-man fronts, but there should be ample opportunity for the multiple redshirt underclassman to get onto the field.
The biggest question is will we get true anchors on the line, the way Keanaaina and Bollers provided last season? If Canady takes another step, if Wilkins and Saole-McKenzie provide stability, if Johnson emerges as the potential force he could be inside, if Williams and Shepphard are ready to handle a larger workload, this front can make things interesting. For now, Cal’s defensive line looks more like a group defined by opportunity and potential, so it’s a wait-and-see situation.
Maybe not a complete rebuild but the defense remains the biggest question in my mind when it comes to Cal having a breakout year. Multiple guys are going to have to step up and really up their game to give the Offense time to run up the score so everyone gets playing time in the 4th qtr while the starters are rested for the next week! I know. My mouth to God’s ears!