I can make a case for Kyle Boller. While his college career did not match the highly recruited status, the fact he came to Cal as a high star recruit (in the Holmoe era, no less!) was huge news and then in 2002, under Tedford, you saw how good he could be. I went to the Michigan State game where we upset the ranked Spartans in their house and Boller was NFL level in that game.
This is really hard! Where do I start? JustBear has a pretty extensive list but I'm not sure who I would rank from top to bottom. We all have personal favorites but did one have a bigger impact than all the rest? Probably but that is hard to say. However, if there is one person who deserves kudos for putting Cal back on the football map in this century, then it would have to be Jeff Tedford. I wish that he had done a better job of graduating his players but he revitalized the program and made it relevant. He certainly turned me into a Cal Football fanatic. Let's hope that his former player (Tosh) can repeat his success on the field AND have high graduation ratess. Yes, even in the era of NIL, that still matters.
I can make a case for Kyle Boller. While his college career did not match the highly recruited status, the fact he came to Cal as a high star recruit (in the Holmoe era, no less!) was huge news and then in 2002, under Tedford, you saw how good he could be. I went to the Michigan State game where we upset the ranked Spartans in their house and Boller was NFL level in that game.
Ryan O’Callahan!
Oh, and just add JKS now
This is really hard! Where do I start? JustBear has a pretty extensive list but I'm not sure who I would rank from top to bottom. We all have personal favorites but did one have a bigger impact than all the rest? Probably but that is hard to say. However, if there is one person who deserves kudos for putting Cal back on the football map in this century, then it would have to be Jeff Tedford. I wish that he had done a better job of graduating his players but he revitalized the program and made it relevant. He certainly turned me into a Cal Football fanatic. Let's hope that his former player (Tosh) can repeat his success on the field AND have high graduation ratess. Yes, even in the era of NIL, that still matters.
Don't forget to sprinkle in some safeties.. perhaps one or more of Thomas Decoud, Chris Conti, Ashtyn Davis, Jaylinn Hawkins.
I thought about all of them. But I couldn't fit them. Also Michael Lowe, Josh Hill, Matt Giordano, Stefan McClure, Sean Cattouse, Josh Drayden, etc.
Don't forget to add Nnamdi Asomugha
I never watched him play at Cal unfortunately
Off the top of my head
Aaron Rodgers
Marshawn Lynch
Keenan Allen
DeSean Jackson
Jahvid Best
Jared Goff
Shane Vereen
Justin Forsett
JJ Arrington
Geoff McArthur
Zack Follet
Evan Weaver
Mychal Kendricks
Cam Jordan
Daymeion Hughes
Syd'quan Thompson
Desmond Bishop
Mike Mohamed
Cam Bynum
Tyson Alualu
Alex Mack
Bryan Anger
Lavelle Hawkins
Kenny Lawler
Marvin Jones
Wait… Russel White played in the… <checks notes> last century?!
Guess I’m older than I thought.