Cal is now into the final week of spring ball, and the team opened things back up Monday. As Mike Bloesch said, it felt a little bit like a mid-season Monday practice in that it took some time for the team to ramp up its energy after Saturday's scrimmage. Eventually, it began to feel like most of the other practices throughout the first three weeks.

Here's a rundown of what I saw during Monday's work for the Bears.

– Overall, it was a strong day for the defensive front as that group thwarted most of the big plays for the offense on Day 12. The defensive line, in particular, had several key contributions led by strong play from both Stanley Saole-McKenzie and Xavier Carlton. McKenzie did a good job of providing pressure on the quarterbacks forcing several throwaways throughout the practice. Carlton did the same and ended the day with a pressure on Chandler Rogers forcing him out of bounds in a situational period to end practice.

Carlton combined with Derek Wilkins for a sack of Rogers during an 11-on-11 pass rush drill period.

Ricky Correia had a sack during the first team period as he was able to get to Fernando Mendoza in the middle of the first team period.

Hunter Barth came up with a sack of Rogers late in practice on a blitz, which the defense has done a bit more consistently this spring.

– Overall, there were several tackles for loss as the defense did a good job of bottling up the running game throughout the practice. It began early with Craig Woodson coming up to make a play on freshman receiver Josiah Martin on an end-around play. That was followed up by a tackle for loss from Isaiah Crosby, who sniffed out a screen to Martin.

Correia and outside linebacker David Reese also came up with tackles for loss during the team period as Correia was able to reach Rogers on a rush attempt and Reese stopped Jaydn Ott on a running play.

– In the back end, the secondary continues to come up with impressive plays. The first team period opened up with a pass breakup for Cam Sidney working against Mikey Matthews on a third-down play. Marcus Harris came up with an impressive pass breakup against Tobias Merriweather later in practice. Marcus Scott II also came up with a PBU near the end of the second team period.

– Offensively, the Bears were able to move the ball but it was difficult to get in the end zone with the way the defense was playing. The lone score came on a pass from Mendoza to Mavin Anderson from 28 yards out during the second team period. Anderson was used quite a bit during Monday's practice and had one of his best days. The scoring drive featured three consecutive passes to the veteran inside receiver.

Martin also continued to showcase his talent in a variety of ways including several catches throughout practice. The freshman closed out the first team period with a 15-yard catch on fourth down on a pass from Rogers.

– Rogers continues to get ample opportunities to work with the first unit heading into the final days of spring ball. He has had more opportunities to work with that group as of late, and he has looked comfortable in that role. He had some issues on exchanges Monday leading to the ball being on the ground a couple times (once with the center exchange and a second time on an RPO play). Bloesch said it isn't concerning to him right now as he works some different combinations at center.

Mendoza continues to look sharp. He's had better days than he did Monday, but he was still able to move the ball down the field and command the offense, even when working behind the second offensive line.

– On the injury front, inside linebacker Cade Uluave made his full return to practice Monday. The rising sophomore has been doing some things in practice for about a week but had not worked during the team periods. That changed Monday as he was back in his spot with the first unit working alongside Barth. Freshmen Aaron Hampton and Eze Osundu as well BJ Jones have had opportunities with the first unit throughout the spring prior to Uluave's return.

– Cal athletic director Jim Knowlton was back out watching the team for a second consecutive practice.

Post-practice interviews and clips

Login to view embedded media
Login to view embedded media
Login to view embedded media
Login to view embedded media
Login to view embedded media
Login to view embedded media

Meyer Swinney was one of them:

Someone on the Stanford board posted about this and so I figured it should be posted on here as well:

Cal's Mykolas Alekna set a new world record in the discus throw. The oldest world record in track and field at the time that he broke it. He is currently a junior. My subscriber who posted this is really into track and field. They said it's really unusual for a college athlete to break a world record. The news release from the NCAA is here.

Login to view embedded media
Three-star 2025 receiver/tight end Meyer Swinney is going to announce himself soon, but he has committed to Cal this weekend while on his latest visit with the Bears. He expects to be used in a bit of a hybrid role when he arrives, but it's a significant recruiting win for the Bears. Ole Miss just offered him last month and programs such as Texas A&M, Miami, Duke, Iowa State, Kansas and Purdue have all been involved.

He is the younger brother of Cal OL Bastian Swinney, so there is a connection already there with the Bears.

"I’ve grown to love the dedication of the program and the people within it," he said. "... Everything stood out, I’ve loved this place since my brother took visits here."

Login to view embedded media

Both within a couple shots of the Masters lead currently. Go Bears!

Cal wrapped up its third week of spring practice Saturday with a couple scrimmage periods allowing us to have the best look at the Bears in a game-like setting. It was a valuable time for some younger players to get an opportunity to showcase their abilities and for some returners to back up their spot on the depth chart as well.

Justin Wilcox and the coaching staff put the team in several different situations over what was around 80 plays throughout the two scrimmage periods. The players worked with some different groups, and it was the best evaluation of the team up to this point.

Here's a rundown of what stood out during Saturday's practice session.

– It was a big day for the running back group Saturday, and that started early as Jaivian Thomas and Dean-Taylor Chapman were able to leave their mark on Day 11 with several big running plays. Thomas has the top play of the day with a 63-yard rush on the first drive of the initial scrimmage period. The Jet ran up the middle and found a lane before he got down hill and pulled away from all the defenders. It was an impressive play and opened up a big day for the offense. Thomas ended up with two rushing scores on the day with his second coming in the middle of the second scrimmage period on a 9-yard run.

DTC was the star late in the scrimmage as he had back-to-back rushing touchdowns from 10 yards out to cap an impressive day for the second-year back. He had a nice 15-yard run earlier in the practice.

During the initial team period, it was Byron Cardwell who shined on the ground for the offense. The veteran running back wrapped up that period with three runs that went at least 9 yards highlighted by a 17-yard carry.

Jaydn Ott was not used in any of the live periods while Kadarius Calloway was used sparingly.

– Elsewhere offensively, receiver Trond Grizzell capped his best week of the spring with a standout showing Saturday. The former walk-on was able to get in the end zone twice, one in each scrimmage period, as he linked up with Fernando Mendoza on two impressive plays. The first came on a beauty of a throw from 18 yards out while the second touchdown catch for Grizzell came on a 20-yard play where he had to play through some contact.

– The other big story of the practice was the play of several freshmen on both sides of the ball. Receiver Josiah Martin was able to get in some work with the first unit Saturday, and he delivered with a number of impressive catches. The midyear enrollee from Texas caught four passes of at least 13 yards with two that went for 17 yards as he worked with both quarterbacks Saturday. The first receiver group to take the field Saturday included Martin, Grizzell, Tobias Merriweather and Jack Endries go along with Calloway at running back.

Defensively, inside linebackers Aaron Hampton and Eze Osondu both made an impact in Saturday's practice as well. Hampton came up with a big tackle for loss (2 yards) against Chapman to open the second scrimmage period and later had a run stop on Justin Williams-Thomas followed by a pass breakup in the end zone as well.

Freshman defensive back Dayday Aupiu came up with a late interception on a difficult play working against quarterback Chandler Rogers. There was a flag on the play but it was impressive nonetheless from the freshman. He also blocked a punt during the team punt period and had a sack late.

BJ Canady, who has bounced back and forth between the defensive line and outside linebacker groups, came up with a batted pass and a sack against Rogers during the first scrimmage period.

– Up front defensively, there were a number of contributors and impressive plays being made. Notre Dame transfer Aidan Keanaaina had his most impactful day of the spring Saturday. He has been a bit quiet at times through the first three weeks, but he stood out on several occasions including a sack plus a batted pass and a quarterback hurry.

Stanley Saole-McKenzie also was able to get in some work, and he made the most of the opportunity with some key plays including a sack on Rogers early in the second scrimmage period. In all, Saole-McKenzie, Canady, Keanaaina, Aupiu, inside linebacker Hunter Barth and defensive lineman Akili Calhoun accounted for the sacks in Saturday's practice.

On the back end, nickel Matthew Littlejohn (2), Cam Sidney and Isaiah Crosby all accounted for pass breakups.

– After a stellar showing Friday, Ryan Coe came back down to earth a bit but still had an impressive showing at the place kicker position. He missed 40-yard field goal try early in the first team period but bounced back by connecting on field goal attempts from 44 and 42 yards out during the scrimmage periods. He did miss on a 36-yard PAT after a penalty pushed the offense back after a score.

– The quarterback play overall was improved this week after a lackluster showing during Week 2. Mendoza, in particular, has looked locked in again over the last few practices, and that showed up again Saturday. He threw the ball with a ton of confidence and found his receivers in a few difficult spots throughout the day. Rogers did throw an interception (Aupiu), but used his feet well and continues to look more comfortable within the offense.

Touchdown plays

– Jaivian Thomas 63-yard run
– Fernando Mendoza to Trond Grizzell for 18 yards
– Fernando Mendoza to Trond Grizzell for 20 yards
– Fernando Mendoza to Jonathan Brady for 5 yards
– Jaivian Thomas 9-yard run
– Dean-Taylor Chapman 10-yard run
– Dean-Taylor Chapman 10-yard run
– Chandler Rogers to Cole Boscia for 20 yards

Post-practice interviews and practice clips

Login to view embedded media
Login to view embedded media
Login to view embedded media
Login to view embedded media

Cal is nearing the end of its third week of spring practice and Friday the team prepared for what will be an active Saturday as the Bears get into some game-like situations to close out Week 3. There was a good atmosphere about the team Friday and it led to some competitive work during Practice 10.

The team closed out the day with some 2-minute drill work, and it allowed the Bears to get into a game situation for a few drives.

– Kicker Ryan Coe was the highlight of practice Friday as he connected on three long field goals to end the day including a pair of 56-yarders during that final 2-minute segment. Coe has not been in that setting yet this spring, and he delivered in his opportunity to showcase his skills. The UNC transfer had no issue with any of the three kicks and looked like he could have gone back even a few yards farther and still been on the money. His first make of the segment came on a 44-yard kick that he nailed.

– The first and second units each had two opportunities to score in the 2-minute drill, and the team came away with points in three of those instances. The second drive for the first unit was the one that came up empty, and it was the result of another impressive play by cornerback Marcus Harris. The Idaho transfer has been on fire intercepting passes this spring, and he added to his total Friday when he jumped in front of a pass intended for Trond Grizzell from Fernando Mendoza on a third down play.

– It was one of several impressive plays for the defense throughout the day. That group performed well early in practice as there were numerous stops from the group in the opening team period. Nickel Matthew Littlejohn started the day with a nice stop on running back Jaivian Thomas, and that was followed up with by cornerback Nohl Williams working against a bigger player, tight end Jack Endries, who was on the receiving end of a screen pass in the flat from Mendoza.

Isaiah Crosby highlighted the early defensive success with a pass breakup working against receiver Tobias Merriweather. The Notre Dame transfer looked like he made a great catch along the sideline only to have the ball knocked loose by the junior college transfer.

- Offensively, outside of the late interception, Mendoza had a strong showing on Day 10. He has been able to get himself dialed back in after a rough few practices where he didn't look as sharp as he did early on this spring. He has returned to form as of late, and he guided a touchdown drive late in the first team period that was capped with an impressive throw to receiver Mikey Matthews for an 11-yard score. Earlier in the sequence, Mendoza found Endries for an 8-yard completion on fourth down to help keep the drive alive. The third-year quarterback also had a couple 7-on-7 touchdown throws as he connected with Merriweather on a difficult pass from 10 yards out and a 15-yard connection with tight end Nate Rutchena.

Post-practice interviews and clips

Login to view embedded media
Login to view embedded media
Login to view embedded media
Login to view embedded media
Login to view embedded media

Login to view embedded media
Bellevue, Wash. OL recruit Demetri Manning is visiting the Bears today. He’s part of the FSP program that Marcus Griffin has been connected to previously.

He had official visits set up with UCLA, Miami and Arkansas already.

Login to view embedded media
Cal’s first spring transfer is OLB Myles Jernigan who has announced his plan to enter the portal next week when the spring window opens. He has not participated in practice so far this spring.

As Peter Sirmon mentioned Wednesday, the Bears are beginning to see some separation and true development of the team at this point in the spring. Day 9 was one of the most competitive practices of the spring so far, and there were some big plays made on both sides of the ball.

Here's a rundown of the top takeaways and notes from Wednesday's practice inside California Memorial Stadium.

– The big story of the day was the three interceptions for the defense over the course of Wednesday's practice. Two of them came from players who look likely to lead Cal in that area as cornerbacks Marcus Harris and Nohl Williams accounted for two of the takeaways. Harris, who has made a habit of intercepting passes through his first nine days with the Bears, started off the strong day for the defense with an interception working against Fernando Mendoza. That was followed up by a beautiful play by Williams early in the second team period as he jumped a screen pass from Chandler Rogers intended for Mikey Matthews.

Rogers was picked off again late in the practice as freshman linebacker Aaron Hampton came up with a clean play with the offense backed up inside its own 20-yard line. It would have been returned for a touchdown in a normal situation. Miles Williams dropped what would have been an interception thrown by Rogers on the final play of practice as well.

The turnovers have become an issue for Rogers at this stage of the game, but he is still getting used to his new surroundings so maybe he gets some leeway there. Still, it is deep enough into the spring and it is happening often enough that it could be cause for some concern.

– The rest of the defense had some positive moments as well with Craig Woodson getting a little aggressive on a play along the sideline to knock the ball loose from Jack Endries during the first team period just before the interception from Harris. Inside linebacker BJ Jones had a pass berakup working against Isaac Torres during the 7-on-7 period while Ja'ir Smith batted another pass on a blitz working against Mendoza, who spent a good amount of time with the second unit Wednesday.

A defensive lineman who came up with a good play Wednesday was Derek Wilkins, who made an impressive stop against Kadarius Calloway early on in the first team period.

– Offensively it felt like one of the most productive days for the offense despite the turnover issues. The offensive reached the end zone three times during the two team periods highlighted by a 70-yard run for Jaydn Ott during the second team session. Ott was quick to find a hole and then used his breakaway speed to eventually get in the end zone. There was another gear he hit in the open field that left all the defenders in the dust.

Rogers guided the first touchdown drive of the day during the first team period as he used his arm to move the offense down the field in big chunks. He found Marquez Dortch on back-to-back plays of 16 and 19 yards to put the offense in position to reach the end zone. The scoring play came on a 12-yard screen pass to running back Justin Williams-Thomas.

Mendoza's best work Wednesday came on the ground as he continually was able to make pick up yards on the run throughout Wednesday's practice. That included a nice 15-yard run on fourth down during the first team period and a 23-yard run during the second. He guided a touchdown drive late in practice that was capped by a 13-yard touchdown throw to tight end Nate Rutchena. Earlier on that drive, Mendoza hit freshman Josiah Martin for 16-yard connection to move the chains.

– The receiver group overall was impressive throughout the day. It began in the one-on-one portion of practice, which you can see highlights of below, but it carried over into the team periods as well. Trond Grizzell has not had the best spring but he erased much of that with his play Wednesday. He was a star in the one-on-one period and he shined working with both quarterbacks.

Martin was another player who stood out throughout the practice and came away with some big catches. Newcomers Tobias Merriweather and Matthews continue to showcase their talent as top transfers, and both had impressive plays throughout Wednesday's practice. Both had impressive touchdown catches during the one-on-one drills.

– Inside linebacker Cade Uluave remains out of team periods in practice, but he has been able to stay on the field through all the other parts since returning. During team periods he has worked off to the side with the training staff. Defensive lineman Zurich Ashford has been out since last week and has not been able to participate.

– Personnel wise, the Bears continue to have Matthew Wykoff working at center with the first unit while Bastian Swinney is at left guard. That has been the alignment the last couple practices. BJ Canady briefly worked with the outside linebacker group but was back with the interior defensive line unit Wednesday.

Post-practice interviews and practice clips

Login to view embedded media
Login to view embedded media
Login to view embedded media
Login to view embedded media
Login to view embedded media

Login to view embedded media
Cal has officially announced a couple moves within the recruiting/player personnel side of things today. Marcus Griffin, a former Arizona and Central Michigan DL, and David Ortega, who had helped with recruiting and video with the Bears previously, have been brought on as the new assistant directors of player personnel working alongside Marshall Cherrington. Ortega has plenty of familiarity with the program having worked for the Bears already while Griffin will help the program continue to build its connections in the Pacific Northwest.

He had worked closely with the FSP 7-on-7 program up in Washington that has been part of the Bears' efforts in the region. He has a number of connections throughout the recruiting world that should only help raise the profile of Cal among recruits in the West, in particular. I actually covered Marcus as a recruit and eventually player at Arizona, and he's always been well liked wherever he goes.

The new staffers have already hit the ground running and have been plenty involved with recruiting this spring.

Login to view embedded media
At football practice so will have more later but Cal has landed a commitment from Vanderbilt big man Lee Dort. He’s a former top-50 recruit.

Cal returned to the field at CMS Monday to open the third week of spring practice. Day 8 marked the return of a key defensive player and again presented the team with an opportunity to compete as they look ahead to a scrimmage this weekend. Saturday's practice, the first in full pads, left the offense feeling like it left a lot on the table. That group had difficulty putting the ball in the end zone, and both Fernando Mendoza and Chandler Rogers felt they could have performed better at the quarterback position.

Monday, both quarterbacks looked more focused and the offense was more productive as a result.

– I'll start with an important personnel note. Middle linebacker Cade Uluave returned to the field for the first time Monday. The rising sophomore has been dealing with a lower body injury this spring but has slowly worked his way back. Today was the first day he was able to get in some work on the field with the linebacker group, but he still was not involved with the team side of things just yet. He is moving well and getting him on the field with seven practices remaining should mean he can be a full go some time before the end of the spring.

– As for the offense and the quarterbacks, there were still some errant throws but both Mendoza and Rogers played with a bit more confidence during Monday's practice. Both did throw interceptions with Colin Gamble getting the better of Mendoza during a period with the skill players while Miles Williams was able to snag an pass away from Rogers early in the first team period that he then took back for a touchdown.

The quarterbacks cleaned it up the rest of the practice though, and eventually both closed things out on a positive note. Rogers had some big throws down the field including a 25-yard pass to Mikey Matthews late in the 7-on-7 period. He also did some positive work with his feet throughout the practice. Mendoza was able to get the offense in the end zone on the final play with a 19-yard completion to Tobias Merriweather on a third-and-4 situation to end practice. He also had several big throws to tight end Jack Endries throughout the practice that ranged from 12 to 17 yards by my count.

– Endries was one of the stars of Monday's practice. He didn't get in the end zone but he was the safety net for both quarterbacks and continues to play with a ton of confidence right now. He bailed out Mendoza and Rogers on more than one occasion on plays in the middle of the field. Matthews also had an impressive effort throughout the day with his ability to make plays from sideline to sideline. The Utah transfer is going to be a big part of the offense this year and it's continuing to look like he will be used in a variety of ways under Bloesch. Merriweather also shined in a big way Monday with some nice catches down the field. He has become one of the best deep threats on the team this spring, and he has continually made plays on deep routes.

– Bloesch said he thought Monday's practice was the best for Byron Cardwell, and the former Oregon transfer running back has looked better each day this spring. He has not been hindered much by a big brace on his leg and has not shied away from contact either. On Day 8, the veteran running back had the biggest play of the day offensively with a 20-yard rushing score that ended with him in the end zone late in the first team period. It was a physical run but also showcased his burst, which seems to not have taken much of a hit despite his season-ending injury last year.

Kadarius Calloway had the other big rushing score for the offense as he took a handoff 20 yards for a touchdown in the second team period.

– There was a lot of mixing and matching with the first and second units Monday, including Rogers getting an opportunity to see some time with the first offense, but Jeffery Johnson was another player who stood out in many regards. He has been working his way up the depth chart this spring, and he was able to get some work with the second unit on Day 8. He was particularly impressive in the blitz pickup drills with wins over Xavier Carlton and David Reese.

– Bloesch is continuing to try some things out with the offensive line, and that included making a move among the first unit Monday. Matthew Wykoff has mostly been at left guard this spring but he was moved inside to center on Day 8. That moved Bastian Swinney out to left guard giving the group a little different work. Bloesch says he likes Wykoff's size at the position, and playing center is also not new to him since he did it at Texas A&M. Wykoff looked good in his new role, so we'll see if it sticks beyond just Monday's practice.

– Defensively, it was another solid day for Peter Sirmon's group. The two interceptions were the highlight plays but Carlton came up with a sack of Mendoza, and the defensive front was plenty disruptive once again. Stanley Saole-McKenzie had a huge stop in the second team period halting Kadarius Calloway in his tracks on a run attempt.

In the secondary, Marcus Harris continued to make plays Monday and he ame up with a pass breakup against Trond Grizzell on a pass from Mendoza during the first team period. Safety Ja'ir Smith also made a nice play to tip a pass on a blitz against Mendoza in the second team period on a play that ended with an incompletion.

Post-practice interviews and practice clips

Login to view embedded media
Login to view embedded media
Login to view embedded media
Login to view embedded media
Login to view embedded media

Login to view embedded media
G/Wing Kevin Armstrong II announced his commitment to Cal Monday morning. Armstrong, 6-foot-6, will be an incoming freshman (class of 2024) from Breck School in Minnesota and becomes the second 2024 commit after Jeremiah Wilkinson, who committed last year.

Armstrong visited Cal in October of last year, and also garnered interest from Caltech, Pitt, Indiana State and Princeton, among others.

Login to view embedded media

To the Mods: Wasn't there a practice yesterday?! Why haven't you guys posted any information on it yet?

Hey @Ryan Young or @Matt Moreno ...got a list of potential Cal targets? Jordan Pope from Oregon State hit the portal today. ASU guard Frankie Collins has us in his top 6.

Any other names we should be paying attention to? I know Cal Twitter seems to be infatuated with Bronny James.

Would love to see a Big Board or something similar here. Doesn't Rivals have national bball guys you can tap into?

Cal had a number of prospects out at practice today and will have a nice group overall by the end of the weekend. There's only one official visitor this week, but he's an important one plus there is a mix of prospects from the current and upcoming classes as well.

Transfer

Login to view embedded media
2025

Login to view embedded media Login to view embedded media Login to view embedded media Login to view embedded media Login to view embedded media Login to view embedded media Login to view embedded media Login to view embedded media Login to view embedded media
2026
Login to view embedded media Login to view embedded media

Login to view embedded media
Cal and women's basketball coach Charmin Smith have agreed to a 3-year contract extension that will keep her at the helm for the Bears through the 2028-29 season, the school announced this afternoon. Smith has guided the program for five years and is coming off her most successful season with Cal wrapping up the 2023-24 campaign with 19 wins.

"We are excited to extend Charmin's contract as we generate momentum with our move to the ACC," Cal AD Jim Knowlton said in a statement released by the school announcing the news. "Charmin took our team to a new level this season, and I'm excited about the direction of our program under her leadership. Charmin understands and embraces everything it takes to thrive as a Cal student-athlete, and I can't wait to see what the future holds for our team."

The Bears have a strong recruiting class coming in next season highlighted by top-100 prospects Kamryn Mafua and Zahra King.

"Cal is where I want to be and I'm thrilled that Jim and our university are committed to me leading this team into the ACC," Smith said. "We accomplished a lot of great things this season and have momentum moving into next year during the most exciting time in women's basketball. I'm proud of the progress we've made and I'm looking forward to taking the next steps with this special staff and the talent we are fortunate to coach."

Login to view embedded media
Had mentioned this during the season, but the expectation has been that Jaylon Tyson would ultimately enter the NBA draft. He’s made it official today and will forgo his final season at Cal for the professional ranks.

Cal is nearing the end of its second week of spring practice, and the Bears were back on the field at California Memorial Stadium Friday as they prepare for a more game-like day Saturday to close out Week 2. Friday's work again featured several big plays highlighted by continued strong performances from defensive players.

Here's a rundown of some new notes and observations on Day 6 for the Bears.

– By my count, there were three interceptions during Friday's practice and Nohl Williams came up with two of them. The fifth-year senior first came up with an interception working against tight end Ben Marshall. He stepped in front of the throw from Chandler Rogers early in the second team period. That was soon followed up with an interception off a tipped pass that Rogers intended for Marquez Dortch. Craig Woodson tipped the pass and nearly came up with the interception himself before Williams hauled in.

Marcus Harris came up with yet another interception earlier in practice Friday as he pulled in a jump ball on a pass from Rogers intended for Josiah Martin down the field.

Williams and Isaiah Crosby combined for a pass breakup against Tobias Merriweather during the 7-on-7 period while Marcus Scott II also had a PBU against Martin on a pass from Rogers.

– The defensive line had one of its best days of the spring Friday in my opinion. The group was impactful throughout the day Friday. Early in the first team period, Ethan Saunders and Xavier Carlton combined for a sack of Rogers, and that was just the start for the group up front. Saunders was able to flush Rogers out of the pocket later in practice forcing an throwaway.

Nate Burrell and Ricky Correia came up with a big stop during the final period inside the 10-yard line on a toss play to Kadarius Calloway.

– Overall, the defense shined again and it was particularly impressive when working against some different looks from the offense. Mike Bloesch was working in a lot of plays with the receivers carrying the ball so there were quite a few sweeps and the defense did a great job sniffing them out and stopping them. In the second team period that was highlighted by the play of Miles Williams who came up with back to back stops that energized the defensive sideline. First, he stopped Dortch on a screen followed by a big hit tight end Jeffrey Johnson on the next play.

Williams has been having a strong showing so far in spring running with the first unit at safety.

– Offensively, Jaivian Thomas was a standout as the second-year running back made several big plays helping him overcome a fumble early in practice. He had the lone touchdown of the day on an 11-yard screen play from Fernando Mendoza. He also had an impressive 15-yard run on a toss late in practice. Dean-Taylor Chapman put together the best run of the day on a 21-yard run toward the end of practice.

– On the injury front, Zurich Ashford was out for Friday's practice and had a big brace on his left leg cutting into the defensive line depth.

Post-practice interviews and practice clips

Login to view embedded media
Login to view embedded media
Login to view embedded media
Login to view embedded media
Login to view embedded media
Login to view embedded media

Login to view embedded media
Cal had four-star offensive lineman Champ Taulealea (San Jose-Valley Christian) and his family out at practice today. The Bears coaches were definitely giving him a lot of attention throughout practice. His little brother in particular was interacting a lot with the staff. He's currently rated as the No. 4 offensive guard for 2025 by Rivals.

Guess we have a better chance of winning the sad sack ACC now. Man did we blow not getting in the B10.