Cal in NFL Draft preview: Nohl Williams, Teddye Buchanan, Craig Woodson all hopefuls
The California Golden Bears have a few NFL Draft prospects who could be picked ni the next few days.
The California Golden Bears have three high potential draft potentials that could get picked in the next few rounds. Could we see two more Takers in the League next season?
Cornerback Nohl Williams is certainly getting the most credit for his incredible 2024 season, where he led FBS with seven interceptions overall. In his tape evaluation, his skills in zone and on the ball are great strengths. He also has a great physical nature in press-man coverage and can defend the run well. His scheme versatility makes him the likeliest to be picked first among the Cal Bear players in the mix.
NFL prognosticators have Williams ranked around or in their top 100 prospects available. That has him placed around Round 3 or 4, so we will what lucky team ends up with one of the Takers.
Projections: Late Day 2, early Day 3
Linebacker Teddye Buchanan revitalized the Cal defense, leading the Bears with 114 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, five sacks. His playmaking ability in every aspect seems to make him a natural defender with an instinct for the football. His athletic measurements also put him near the top of the charts.
Buchanan has all the requisite skills necessary to be a linebacker at the next level. There have been a lot of scouts who have been excited with Buchanan’s tape.
Projections: Early Day 3
Safety Craig Woodson has been making moves. Flying under the radar because of the lack of interceptions, Woodson still did break up as many passes as Williams (nine) and was third in the team in tackles. Woodson graded out well in terms of absolute athleticism, and like Williams had the natural skills of a Taker.
I just asked Craig Woodson how he’d sell a recruit considering Cal: “Look at the evidence. Every year, Cal DBs play well. We have a DB in the last five or six drafts … We’re a place you can grow and develop … The Cal community is going to remember you for a long time.”
Projections: Day 3 pick
Also watch cornerback Marcus Harris, who had some promising moments last year, ran a 4.38 at Pro Day, and is likely to be in consideration for an UDFA position if a team doesn’t take a late round flyer on him. Harris was the other corner aside Nohl Williams, and the two helped keep the Cal defense.
Hoping hard that Nohl is drafted before Shedeur Sanders
I can safely predict that not a single offensive player from Cal will be drafted tonight for the 8th consecutive season under Wilcox.