Continuing praise for Nando, as he has already donated $500k to MS research. Other than that, this thread shows the Cal program under JW did not have or develop NFL-level talent other than the 2024 DB class... I've read way too many UDFA labels for GBs and former GBs. Let's hope this changes.
Can't really draw that conclusion. I think it speaks more to the level of talent brought in than the ability to develop it. By this reasoning, top programs with top coaching staffs should be able to coach up everyone on the roster & get the entire class drafted every year. That doesn't happen and there's a reason recruits to top 10 programs sometimes ride the bench for 4 years - just not enough talent, drive, skills, etc. Cal's 18-19-20 year old players leave for a myriad of reasons for what they think will be greener pastures. Sometimes it works out, sometimes not. It's impossible to say whether some UDFA's might have been drafted had they stayed, and vice-versa.
Cal had 4 players taken in the NFL draft in 2025, which ranked third in the ACC. Miami being #1, with 7. Cal coaches deserve a lot of credit for finding and developing Mendoza. If it hadn't been for Cal calling, he might not have ever started a game in Power 5. You want to have more NFL players - like Ohio State 14? Then you need a much bigger NIL budget than Cal has had in the past. At least the NCAA settlement has leveled the playing somewhat and Tosh and Co have been able to capitalize on that. Let's hope that success continues....
@doncal and @OskiOfTarth agree wholeheartedly that JW did not recruit well or develop players, except for DBs (3 of the 4 2025 draft picks were DBs). I also love that we have new energy with Tosh and RR. And a commitment to raise NIL money to compete. One thing that makes me sad is some youngsters will make more $$$ in college than in the NFL (like the Vanderbilt QB). That just doesn't seem right to me...
Continuing praise for Nando, as he has already donated $500k to MS research. Other than that, this thread shows the Cal program under JW did not have or develop NFL-level talent other than the 2024 DB class... I've read way too many UDFA labels for GBs and former GBs. Let's hope this changes.
Can't really draw that conclusion. I think it speaks more to the level of talent brought in than the ability to develop it. By this reasoning, top programs with top coaching staffs should be able to coach up everyone on the roster & get the entire class drafted every year. That doesn't happen and there's a reason recruits to top 10 programs sometimes ride the bench for 4 years - just not enough talent, drive, skills, etc. Cal's 18-19-20 year old players leave for a myriad of reasons for what they think will be greener pastures. Sometimes it works out, sometimes not. It's impossible to say whether some UDFA's might have been drafted had they stayed, and vice-versa.
Cal had 4 players taken in the NFL draft in 2025, which ranked third in the ACC. Miami being #1, with 7. Cal coaches deserve a lot of credit for finding and developing Mendoza. If it hadn't been for Cal calling, he might not have ever started a game in Power 5. You want to have more NFL players - like Ohio State 14? Then you need a much bigger NIL budget than Cal has had in the past. At least the NCAA settlement has leveled the playing somewhat and Tosh and Co have been able to capitalize on that. Let's hope that success continues....
@doncal and @OskiOfTarth agree wholeheartedly that JW did not recruit well or develop players, except for DBs (3 of the 4 2025 draft picks were DBs). I also love that we have new energy with Tosh and RR. And a commitment to raise NIL money to compete. One thing that makes me sad is some youngsters will make more $$$ in college than in the NFL (like the Vanderbilt QB). That just doesn't seem right to me...