Luc Bequette, former Cal Football DT, transfers back to Cal

After spending a year at Boston College, Bequette returns for his final season

Per Brett Johnson, former Cal defensive tackle Luc Bequette will return to the Bears this fall, filling a sorely-needed playmaking role on the line after Johnson’s season-ending injury.

Bequette received an extra year of eligibility from the NCAA. This fall will be his 7th and final season of college football after he joined the Bears’ class of 2015. Last fall, Bequette played at Boston College.

Cal Rivals @CalRivals

If it wasn't clear that Luc Bequette was back at #Cal yet, his name is on the list of players to vote for for preseason all-Pac 12 Honors

Bequette provides an immediate upgrade for the Bears’ run defense. He racked up an absurd 99 tackles across his last two full seasons for Cal. His 6-2, 290 lb frame is large and strong enough to be an absolute gap-plugger in the interior of the defensive line.

Bequette’s arrival also adds an experienced man to the Bears’ defensive line, which was worryingly looking to be weaker and greener with Johnson’s absence. Besides Bequette, the only other available player on the d-line with meaningful experience is senior DE JH Tevis. NG Stanley McKenzie and DE Ethan Saunders were projected to play last year before suffering injuries while the rest of the bunch have seen the barest of snaps, if any. The question remains, then, whether head coach Justin Wilcox and defensive coordinator Peter Sirmon will want to place Bequette ahead of McKenzie or play McKenzie/NG Ricky Correia alongside Bequette.

The experience that Bequette has in college football is unparalleled on the Bears’ roster. He will be 24 years old when the fall season starts. Other former Cal players who joined in the same class as Bequette were Ross Bowers, Jaylinn Hawkins, and Zeandae Johnson. Bequette was able to play a 7th year in college football due to the COVID-19 exception passed by the NCAA.

Seven years ago, the staff at California Golden Blogs wrote about Bequette’s commitment. Nam Le had both the initial write-up, where most of the comments focused on Bequette’s mom being a Furd, and the follow-up scouting report, in which Le already notices that Bequette, in high school, has the potential to become a solid gap-stuffer.

PFF College @PFF_College

Luc Bequette was an all-around excellent defender for Cal last season.

Cal fans, are you happy that Luc Bequette is back?

Luc, it’s like you never left. Welcome back to Berkeley, and GO BEARS!