SportSpyder - The Latest California Golden Bears Football Podcasts

Cal Football Lands Four-Star Commitment in Basha OL DaJohn Yarborough

Sun, 12 Jul 2026 17:38:04 GMT

Another major commitment this weekend for the California Golden Bears! Enter Chandler (Az.) Basha offensive lineman DaJohn Yarborough, who put on the Bear hat in his announcement ceremony this weekend.

Yarborough is ranked as the 25th best interior offensive lineman and 9th best Arizona prospect according to 247Sports Composite. Also in the hunt were Mississippi State, Florida State, and Washington. At 6-5 and 340 pounds, Yarborough is the type of interior lineman Cal has been needing for the longest time to generate power in the middle.

Yarborough is the fourth offensive line commitment in this class, joining Isaiah Bertola, Ace Herman-Dawson, and Joshua Bunni. His Hudl tape is available here.

@CoachLup ","username":"DajohnYarboroug","name":"Dajohn Yarborough","profile_image_url":"https://pbs.substack.com/profile_images/2070641917940146176/4GJXCQIZ_normal.jpg","date":"2026-06-08T03:43:12.000Z","photos":[{"img_url":"https://pbs.substack.com/media/HKQxsK9bsAAuo_X.jpg","link_url":"https://t.co/ADTqRIYVqJ"}],"quoted_tweet":{},"reply_count":27,"retweet_count":52,"like_count":415,"impression_count":18960,"expanded_url":null,"video_url":null,"belowTheFold":false}" data-component-name="Twitter2ToDOM">

This commitment keeps Cal on the edge of a top 20 class, which would be their highest ranking in nearly a decade and their first top 25 class in 15 years.

Welcome to Cal DaJohn!

DBD 2026-07-13: Jerusalem

Sun, 12 Jul 2026 08:37:08 GMT

Welcome to the DBD, a Write for California community board where one can talk about anything – Cal-related or off-topic. Comment threads are sorted by topic. Anything is fine, so long as you're generally civil

Write For California is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

DBD 2026-07-10: Red Devils!

Fri, 10 Jul 2026 09:02:03 GMT

Another Elite 8 team!

Write For California is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Cal Football Home Game Themes Announced For 2026

Thu, 09 Jul 2026 17:49:15 GMT

calbea.rs/F26SingleGameT…\n\n#GoBears ","username":"CalFootball","name":"Cal Football","profile_image_url":"https://pbs.substack.com/profile_images/1967571402929889280/b6gwGeg__normal.jpg","date":"2026-07-09T17:01:04.000Z","photos":[{"img_url":"https://pbs.substack.com/media/HMzQQCPbsAAZ0tO.jpg","link_url":"https://t.co/0kT1WjOt2f"}],"quoted_tweet":{},"reply_count":3,"retweet_count":7,"like_count":14,"impression_count":990,"expanded_url":null,"video_url":null,"belowTheFold":false}" data-component-name="Twitter2ToDOM">

For those wondering about how to appropriately prepare for each game this season, we have some themes for each game!

September 5, UCLA: Home Opener (7:30 p.m. PT): Tosh Lupoi returns to the Cal football sidelines for an After Dark game.

September 19 vs. Wagner (12:30 p.m. PT) — Rooted in the Bay Day: Cal celebrates Bay Area community and culture, honoring Summer Reading Challenge participants and local educators.

September 25 vs. Clemson (7:30 p.m. PT) — Gold Out & AAPI Appreciation: A Friday night Gold Out for Cal’s ACC opener, with special recognition of AAPI culture.

October 10 vs. Virginia Tech — Homecoming: Alumni and parents celebrate Cal’s annual Homecoming.

October 17 vs. Wake Forest — Grateful Bears: Cal will have its first ever Grateful Dead theme game, honoring the band’s deep ties to Berkeley.

November 21 vs. Stanford — College football’s oldest West Coast rivalry, as Cal fights to reclaim the Axe.

November 28 vs. Pitt — Hometown Heroes: Cal honors first responders, military, healthcare workers and other community heroes.

DBD 2026-07-09: Roja!

Thu, 09 Jul 2026 09:01:39 GMT

Another Elite 8 team!

Write For California is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

DBD 2026-07-08: Choke!

Wed, 08 Jul 2026 09:02:07 GMT

Another Elite 8 team!

Write For California is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

DBD 2026-07-07: Lions!

Tue, 07 Jul 2026 09:02:24 GMT

Write For California is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

DBD 2026-07-06: Row!

Mon, 06 Jul 2026 09:02:02 GMT

Write For California is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Cal Football 2028 Recruiting Already Heating Up

Fri, 03 Jul 2026 17:12:49 GMT

You knew when Tosh Lupoi got here, Cal wouldn’t just be putting out their best foot forward with this year’s class. The battles have already begun for next year’s juniors for the 2028 class.

Encino (Ca.) Crespi quarterback Chase Curren holds interest ($) from both Bay Area schools. A top 40 California prospect, interest is starting to pile up from multiple Power 4 teams.

on3.com/college/florid… ","username":"adamgorney","name":"Adam Gorney","profile_image_url":"https://pbs.substack.com/profile_images/1806333512716365824/mtZBA16h_normal.jpg","date":"2026-07-02T19:03:10.000Z","photos":[{"img_url":"https://pbs.substack.com/media/HMPqU8Xa8AAp_ma.jpg","link_url":"https://t.co/H6eZzil1hy"}],"quoted_tweet":{},"reply_count":0,"retweet_count":3,"like_count":6,"impression_count":3607,"expanded_url":null,"video_url":null,"belowTheFold":false}" data-component-name="Twitter2ToDOM">

St. John Bosco (Ca.) wide receiver DJ Tubbs has a special connection with Geoff Macarthur, who previously coached him in high school ($).

@djtubbs2 ,with the combo of Geoff McArthur and Ike Hilliard helping the Bears \n\n\"My goal is to play in the NFL and what better person to learn from than who did it in the league for 10+ years\"\n\n(+): on3.com/sites/golden-b… ","username":"Thomasdunn24","name":"Thomas Dunn","profile_image_url":"https://pbs.substack.com/profile_images/2057548096645861376/VrXR_AtJ_normal.jpg","date":"2026-07-02T22:02:56.000Z","photos":[{"img_url":"https://pbs.substack.com/media/HMQSu-caMAA2Ixv.jpg","link_url":"https://t.co/eFgGq0so4r"}],"quoted_tweet":{},"reply_count":3,"retweet_count":10,"like_count":51,"impression_count":4917,"expanded_url":null,"video_url":null,"belowTheFold":false}" data-component-name="Twitter2ToDOM">

Sammamish (Wa.) Eastside Catholic TE Tytan McNeal is considered one of the best tight ends in the nation (ranked #1 in 247Sports Composite), and there is early buzz brewing. Cal, Michigan, Texas all drew early visits. Too early to see if Cal is in the end running, as every program is on him.

Folsom (Ca.) running back Osias Bolton received an offer after camping with the Bears ($), and the prospect of playing with his quarterback Brody Rudnicki in 2028 sounds very appealing. It’s good to see Cal putting down roots close to home again.

@Hollywoodcycy broke down what he saw at Cal camp as he develops a special relationship with RB Coach Keith Bhonapha \n\n\"He taught me that you can’t be selfish as a running back and that's how I went to camp running for my peers.\"\n\n(+): on3.com/sites/golden-b… ","username":"CalBearsOn3","name":"Golden Bear Report (On3 | Rivals)","profile_image_url":"https://pbs.substack.com/profile_images/1940104721286467584/wSKG89ng_normal.jpg","date":"2026-06-30T23:59:57.000Z","photos":[{"img_url":"https://pbs.substack.com/media/HMGauK9bIAA_Kk8.png","link_url":"https://t.co/Qkx51cjvxL"}],"quoted_tweet":{},"reply_count":0,"retweet_count":7,"like_count":20,"impression_count":2928,"expanded_url":null,"video_url":null,"belowTheFold":false}" data-component-name="Twitter2ToDOM">

A top 10 Ohio prospect (out of Pickerington) also recently received a Cal offer. Cornerback Damontae Butler will be one to watch.

@_Taebutler24 recently broke down the impact of Cal offering him\n\n\"I was honored to receive the offer ..... Cal sits high if I had to rank it based on my recruiting\"\n\n(+): on3.com/sites/golden-b… ","username":"CalBearsOn3","name":"Golden Bear Report (On3 | Rivals)","profile_image_url":"https://pbs.substack.com/profile_images/1940104721286467584/wSKG89ng_normal.jpg","date":"2026-06-26T20:57:16.000Z","photos":[{"img_url":"https://pbs.substack.com/media/HLxK4G5bQAAwUAA.jpg","link_url":"https://t.co/BZK8vnw508"}],"quoted_tweet":{},"reply_count":0,"retweet_count":7,"like_count":38,"impression_count":5852,"expanded_url":null,"video_url":null,"belowTheFold":true}" data-component-name="Twitter2ToDOM">

It’s safe to say the Cal recruiting world will stay abuzz for the near future with Tosh Lupoi around.

Cal In The NBA: The Jaylen Brown Era Ends In Boston

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 22:14:03 GMT

One of the most stunning trades of the NBA season involved our most prominent Cal men’s basketball alum still playing. Boston Celtics multiAll-Star Jaylen Brown was dealt to the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for Paul George.

Jaylen Brown’s decade in Boston was a grand success. Pairing with Jayson Tatum after being drafted by the Celtics, Boston made six Eastern Confwrence Finals and two NBA Finals, winning one title, with Brown winning ECF MOP and Finals MVP along the way. Brown made five All-Star teams (including the last four) and two All-NBA second teams. Jaylen had his best year as a Celtic this year with Tatum recovering most of the season from an Achilles, averaging 28 points, seven rebounds and six assists a game.

Brown said his farewells to the Boston faithful.

#throwtheballup let’s get it ","username":"FCHWPO","name":"Jaylen Brown","profile_image_url":"https://pbs.substack.com/profile_images/2072778212019474432/C7DG-Vj__normal.jpg","date":"2026-07-02T18:43:08.000Z","photos":[{"img_url":"https://pbs.substack.com/media/HMPl006XQAAz7qH.jpg","link_url":"https://t.co/zdC6g1dTyM"}],"quoted_tweet":{},"reply_count":2653,"retweet_count":8247,"like_count":52852,"impression_count":1787197,"expanded_url":null,"video_url":null,"belowTheFold":false}" data-component-name="Twitter2ToDOM">

Philadelphia is an exciting young core for Brown to join, with Tyrese Maxey and V.J. Edgecombe forming one of the best backcourts in basketball and Joel Embiid still a very effective big man. With Brown in his prime, the Sixers are now a tune-in team for Cal fans everywhere.

DBD 2026-07-02: Algeria

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 09:23:05 GMT

Write For California is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Four-Star Safety Myles Baker Flips From Cal To UCLA

Wed, 01 Jul 2026 16:00:40 GMT

Recruiting gives and it takes, and yesterday it took.

The California Golden Bears lost one of their top safety targets to a flip to their in-state rivals when Sierra Canyon defensive back Myles Baker decided to switch to the UCLA Bruins. It definitely felt like distance was an important factor, as UCLA and the Rose Bowl are an hour’s drive from the San Fernando Valley which Baker calls home.

@GregBiggins reports🐻\n\nRead: on3.com/rivals/news/fo… ","username":"Rivals","name":"Rivals","profile_image_url":"https://pbs.substack.com/profile_images/1939775242378919936/ERzOkuGb_normal.jpg","date":"2026-06-30T18:58:18.000Z","photos":[{"img_url":"https://pbs.substack.com/media/HMFWHdQWIAAimGz.jpg","link_url":"https://t.co/WLNaxU8hqA"}],"quoted_tweet":{},"reply_count":17,"retweet_count":45,"like_count":329,"impression_count":52671,"expanded_url":null,"video_url":null,"belowTheFold":false}" data-component-name="Twitter2ToDOM">

Cal did take a small dip in the overall recruiting ranks, as Baker was one of the top prospects on the Cal commit board, but the Bears still have two four-star cornerbacks in Duvay Williams and Kamil Loud and rising three-star safety Jeovanni Henley, so the 2027 secondary class is still looking like a good one.

Regardless, recruiting will go on until National Signing Day. If there’s anything we know about Tosh Lupoi, he’s relentless on the recruiting front, so he will definitely be looking to find the best player available for this newly open slot.

DBD 2026-07-01: Bosnia-Herzegovina

Wed, 01 Jul 2026 09:21:05 GMT

Write For California is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Nate Longshore never asked 'what if?’

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 13:02:19 GMT

Nate Longshore and Marshawn Lynch celebrate with the 2006 Pacific Life Holiday Bowl trophy. Cal routed Texas A&M 45-10 in that game to cap off a 10-3 season. Photo courtesy of Nate Longshore.

Nate Longshore had to wait for his turn as Cal’s starting quarterback.

Even as a freshman in 2004, Longshore expected to fight for the starting job. A certain Aaron Rodgers had something to say about that. “Aaron (was) on his way to becoming what he is — a Hall of Famer — and (his backup) Reggie (Robertson) was a great player in his own right,” Longshore said. “I settled into my role as QB3.”

He described Rodgers as “more of a role model” than a mentor. Watching someone of Rodgers’ caliber was “a learning experience,” both on the practice field and off of it. Longshore was already tough mentally. From Rodgers, he learned to be bulletproof: to accept coaches’ criticism but quickly move on, or to keep his receivers’ spirits up if they ever dropped a pass.

Once Rodgers left for the NFL, the quarterback job was wide open. After beating out future paper plane ace Joe Ayoob in camp, Longshore was named the starter for 2005. That lasted less than a game. He broke his leg in the opener against Sacramento State and missed the whole season.

Longshore’s long-awaited second debut would come in 2006. He got off to a shaky start: Cal crumbled at Rocky Top, with Longshore only passing for 85 yards and a pick. The Bears ended up losing to Tennessee 35-18, and Longshore was pulled before his team got on the scoreboard.

As soon as the team touched down in Berkeley, Longshore beelined for the film room. “(On tape), your wins are never as good as they feel, and the losses are never as bad,” Longshore said. “We played badly — I played badly — but with better execution in a few moments, that’s a whole different game.”

Shaking off the loss, Cal stormed to a 10-3 record. In his first season as a starter, Longshore passed for 3,021 yards and 24 touchdowns to 14 picks. He singled out the Bears’ Holiday Bowl win as a particular highlight: The blue and gold routed Texas A&M, 45-10. Longshore passed for a workmanlike 235 yards and a touchdown at a 79% clip, while also adding a rare rushing score.

But Longshore doesn’t remember that game for his own performance. In the final minutes, the Bears were three yards away from the end zone, with a 28-point lead. Tedford told backup quarterback Steve Levy to take a knee and end the game. Instead, tailback Bryan Schutte took a handoff in for six.

Tedford was incensed, yanking Levy by the facemask as he dressed him down. Longshore understood why Tedford was so furious. Coaches never want to be on the receiving end of a beatdown, and running up the score feels like “bad karma” for the winner.

Still, he agreed that Schutte deserved a moment in the sun. He described him as a “great player” who “would’ve started at a lot of other programs” that didn’t feature Marshawn Lynch, JJ Arrington and Justin Forsett. Having waited years before getting his own chance at Cal, Longshore could empathize.

He stopped short of outright endorsing Levy’s little act of rebellion, but made his feelings clear. “Everyone in the program knew what Schutte meant to the team,” he said. “Giving him that moment was a pretty special gesture.”

Longshore shot up draft boards after his standout campaign and some in the media anointed him Rodgers’ successor. The following season was supposed to be a breakout — for both Longshore and Cal. “With the talent we had,” Longshore said, recalling a players-only meeting. “It (felt like) national championship or bust.”

That wasn’t just bluster from the signal caller: Strawberry Canyon was brimming with weapons on both sides of the ball. DeSean Jackson and Forsett headlined the offense, with the likes of Syd’Quan Thompson and Tyson Alualu anchoring the defense.

Things went exactly as planned for the first four weeks. The Bears went 4-0, avenging the drubbing by Tennessee, as well as the Murphy’s Law loss to Arizona that denied them a Rose Bowl berth.

Longshore was central to this fine run of form. Redemption wasn’t on his mind when the Volunteers came to Berkeley; he was more focused on beating a “highly touted” SEC team. But he certainly exorcised the demons of Rocky Top. He carved up the stalwart Volunteers’ defense for 241 yards and two scores, providing a deep passing threat that let Cal’s running backs feast.

Week five brought No. 6 Cal — and ESPN College Gameday — to Autzen Stadium. No. 11 Oregon proved a stern test, but the Bears eked out a 31-24 win. Marcus Ezeff’s forced fumble at the goal line sent the blue and gold faithful into raptures.

However, the victory proved pyrrhic. Longshore was knocked out of the game in the fourth quarter with a lower-leg injury. He had “complete trust” in his defense to seal the win, but the injury loomed large once the team hit the locker room.

“I knew it was bad,” Longshore said. “But I didn’t know how bad until the adrenaline wore off.”

The scans confirmed that Cal’s QB1 didn’t merely have a high-ankle sprain. There were also bone fragments floating around in his ankle. It would’ve been agony to plant his foot and throw.

At a minimum, he would miss Cal’s next game against Oregon State. No. 1 LSU lost to Kentucky during Cal’s game. If the Bears could dispatch the Beavers, that No. 1 ranking would be theirs.

Deep in the fourth quarter, the trailing Bears were yards away from the end zone. They could’ve even kicked a short field goal to send the game to overtime. Then Kevin Riley got tackled inbounds, Tedford’s clipboard died an untimely death and Cal’s perfect season was over.

“He was just trying to make a play. It wasn’t all his fault,” Longshore said in Riley’s defense. “We could’ve gotten the field goal unit out there faster. It was a learning experience for everyone involved.”

Riley’s mistake only further complicated Tedford’s next decision. Who would start at quarterback the rest of the way? Longshore was hobbled, but painkillers could help him get through games. Riley was an unseasoned freshman — he’d just proven it.

Longshore, for his part, was desperate to play. Bowing out and letting Riley take the reins was out of the question. “As a competitor, you want to play games,” he said. “It didn’t matter if it meant playing through pain. I was gonna do it.”

Tedford stuck with the incumbent, and the rest is history. 5-1 quickly became 6-6 as the Bears won just one of their final six games. Longshore’s play unraveled down the stretch: He threw 11 picks to nine touchdown passes and completed less than 60 percent of his attempts, with many of the turnovers coming late in the fourth quarters of close games. His output would often stall out in the second half — as if the painkillers were wearing off.

Longshore was reluctant to blame his struggles on the injury. He stressed personal responsibility for his own mistakes and flatly criticized his own play as “terrible.” But even he admitted that his ankle held him back.

He remembered throwing a wheel route for a big gain in the first half against USC. When he attempted the same throw in the fourth quarter, Longshore thought it felt “even better” than it did the first time.

The ball ended up in the hands of a Trojan cornerback.

“It felt like there were two Nate Longshores,” he said. “One in the first half who was playing well, and in the second half things would just fall apart.”

The signal caller became a scapegoat for Cal’s derailing season. Fans clamored for Kevin Riley to see the field, but Longshore didn’t begrudge their anger.

“You get all the credit when things are going well, and all the blame when they aren’t,” Longshore said. “Those are the highs and lows of playing quarterback. It’s what I signed up for.”

Tedford also came under fire for perceived “loyalty” towards Longshore, which the signal caller dismissed. He insisted that nothing factored into Tedford’s decision-making besides performances in practice, and who the coaching staff felt could best command the offense.

“I wasn’t starting because Jeff Tedford loved me,” Longshore said.

Riley did eventually sub in for Longshore in the second quarter of the 2007 Armed Forces Bowl. With Cal down 21-0, Riley led the Bears to a 42-36 win over Air Force. Longshore was sure that Tedford had considered starting Riley before the bowl game. But he understood why his head coach held firm through the season.

“He made his choice based on what he thought would give us the best chance to win games,” Longshore said. “It just didn’t work out.”

With his NFL stock damaged, Longshore returned to Cal for his senior year. He split time with Riley throughout 2008, although he got the nod for Cal’s bowl game. He led the Bears to a narrow 24-17 win over Miami in the Emerald Bowl, which he called a “bittersweet” end to his time in Berkeley. Longshore ultimately went undrafted, spending a few seasons in the Arena League before calling time on his professional career.

“What if?” has become Bear Territory’s collective lament, especially when it comes to quarterback hits. What if Chase Garbers hadn’t hurt his shoulder against Arizona State? What if Wesley Bissainthe had been penalized for manhandling Fernando Mendoza? What if Dave Barr hadn’t broken his collarbone in 1993?

None of these hypotheticals are as tantalizing as 2007 with a healthy Nate Longshore. With him fit and firing, the Bears rose as close as Cal has ever been to the summit of the modern game. One would expect Longshore to mourn what might’ve been, as many fans do.

But Nate Longshore has never bothered with “what ifs.”

“I don’t dwell on (the injury), because it wasn’t something I could control,” Longshore said. “All that I could control was how I played.”

Ever the self-critic, Longshore said his play wasn’t “good enough for Cal — let alone the NFL.”

He only left Cal with one real regret: When Longshore tore his pectoral muscle during spring ball in 2008, Tedford offered him a fast track onto the coaching staff.

“Jeff saw that my biggest strength wasn’t my arm or my running ability,” Longshore said. “It was how I saw the game.” At the time, the 22-year-old was simply too focused on playing to consider holding a clipboard.

He cites Lane Kiffin as an example of what he turned down. In 1997, Kiffin was a backup quarterback at Fresno State while Tedford was offensive coordinator. Standing little chance at taking snaps from David Carr, he hung up his cleats and became the assistant wide receivers coach under Tedford. “Lane parlayed [coaching under Jeff] into [eventually] becoming the youngest head coach in NFL history,” Longshore said.

Instead, the Cal alum would have to start from the ground up. He moved through the high school ranks before becoming an offensive analyst and tight ends coach at UNLV from 2021 to 2024, where a short but speedy receiver caught his eye. That mini DeSean Jackson was Jacob De Jesus. Longshore recommended him glowingly to his connections at Cal, who signed him out of the transfer portal.

Longshore cites Tedford as his coaching inspiration, taking after his mentor’s measured, candid approach. The two remain close friends to this day.

Tedford was the reason Longshore chose Cal in the first place. As a prospect out of Canyon High in Santa Clarita, he wasn’t short on offers. Canyon’s crosstown rivals, Hart, had recently sent a signal-caller to Berkeley: Kyle Boller, who was selected in the first round of the 2003 NFL Draft.

When Boller found out that Tedford wanted Longshore at Cal, local rivalries no longer mattered. He implored the younger passer to commit. “Kyle told me, ‘This is a guy who can change your life,’” Longshore said. “He got me really considering Cal, and the academics and everything all lined up.”

Longshore fell short of NFL stardom, but Tedford still delivered on Boller’s promise. Longshore says he is who he is today — as a man and as a coach — because he played at Cal for Jeff Tedford.

Currently, Longshore owns and operates The QB Method, a quarterback development program “focused on football IQ and maximizing throwing mechanics.” He essentially freelances as a quarterbacks coach, providing subscribers with an archive of playbooks and drills, as well as live film review sessions among other resources. The QB Method is the culmination of all his learnings from Cal and beyond.

Although Tedford is no longer on the sideline, Longshore remains linked to his alma mater. He’s especially eager to watch Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele, who he says has “huge potential.”

For now, Longshore doesn’t have any plans to reenter college coaching. He still hasn’t ruled out a return to Berkeley — he and Tosh Lupoi were teammates under Tedford, after all — but he emphasized that it would have to be “the right situation.”

Nate Longshore’s dream didn’t shatter with his ankle, it just changed shape. He didn’t become a legend on the gridiron, but could write a different story from the sideline.

And a piece of his heart remains in Strawberry Canyon.

“Whatever happens,” Longshore said. “I’ll always support the Bears.”

DBD 2026-06-30: Ivory Coast

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 09:18:03 GMT

Cal Football General Manager Ron Rivera Contract Details Revealed

Mon, 29 Jun 2026 23:16:31 GMT

Ron Rivera came back to his alma mater as one of the first high-profile general managers in college football, a former NFL head coach returning to his alma mater in a role that was still being defined across the sport. He made the tough decision to fire Justin Wilcox, and the even bigger call to start again with Tosh Lupoi, but has also been instrumental in many operational changes, with only one year under his belt.

It just took a while for him to officially start working at the University of California. The important details of his contract are below.

sportico.com/leagues/colleg… via @Sportico @DanielLibit","username":"soshnick","name":"Scott Soshnick","profile_image_url":"https://pbs.substack.com/profile_images/1511736123/nemo_normal.jpg","date":"2026-06-27T19:19:46.000Z","photos":[],"quoted_tweet":{},"reply_count":1,"retweet_count":1,"like_count":8,"impression_count":11220,"expanded_url":{"url":"https://www.sportico.com/leagues/college-sports/2026/cal-ron-rivera-gm-contract-1234937311/","title":"Cal Finally Finalizes Ron Rivera’s Football GM Contract","description":"The former NFL coach executed his three-year employment agreement with the University of California on June 16.","domain":"sportico.com","image":"https://pbs.substack.com/news_img/2070902337506299905/DnBj94yf?format=jpg&name=orig"},"video_url":null,"belowTheFold":false}" data-component-name="Twitter2ToDOM">

River was announced in March 2025, and signed a basic letter of intent that allowed him to get to work. It took well over a year for the university to finalize and sign a formal employment agreement. Rivera and Chancellor Rich Lyons put pen to paper on June 17, 2026, with the contract backdated to March 24, 2025, meaning more than a third of its three-year term had already passed by the time it was executed.

Based on the contract details obtained by Write For California, Rivera’s authority within the program is significant. He oversees the head football coach and several other staff members, controls NIL and revenue-sharing agreements with players, handles non-conference scheduling, and plays a role in fundraising and alumni development. He reports directly to the Chancellor rather than the athletic director, which is a new structure that reflects the elevated, university-wide nature of the role.

The pay structure totals $800,000 guaranteed annually, made up of a $250,000 base salary and a $550,000 talent fee contingent on Rivera fulfilling media and booster obligations. He can earn up to an additional $800,000 per year in performance bonuses, with the win-total structure topping out at $800,000 for ten or more regular-season victories. There are also separate postseason bonuses for things like reaching the ACC Championship Game ($50,000), the College Football Playoff ($100,000), or the National Championship Game ($100,000). Cal also covered up to $40,000 in relocation costs.

The contract protects Rivera fairly well if the university decides to move on from him. A no-fault firing triggers a payout of his full remaining salary and talent fee for the rest of the deal, paid monthly, though Rivera must genuinely try to find other work and whatever he earns gets deducted from what Cal owes. If Rivera is the one who walks, he owes the school $500,000 during the first contract year and $250,000 during the second, with no buyout owed after that.

So we’re about a year into a three-year stretch with Rivera, which should align with the next cycle of realignment for the California Golden Bears. Cal has to make the most of these next two seasons while he’s here. Rivera can do a lot off the field to put Cal in a place to succeed, but the Bears have to create results.

DBD 2026-06-29: Morocco

Mon, 29 Jun 2026 10:13:33 GMT

Cal Football Completes 2027 Non-Conference Schedule With Sacramento State, Old Dominion

Fri, 26 Jun 2026 19:38:10 GMT

Cal football filled the remaining openings in its schedule with two mid-majors. The Golden Bears will play the Sacramento State Hornets in Week 0 of the 2027 season on August 28, and then will face the Old Dominion Monarchs in Week 2 on September 11.

#GoBears ","username":"CalFootball","name":"Cal Football","profile_image_url":"https://pbs.substack.com/profile_images/1967571402929889280/b6gwGeg__normal.jpg","date":"2026-06-25T19:15:37.000Z","photos":[{"img_url":"https://pbs.substack.com/media/HLrqHt-aEAA-O37.jpg","link_url":"https://t.co/WAHeh0aUJG"}],"quoted_tweet":{},"reply_count":7,"retweet_count":19,"like_count":121,"impression_count":11237,"expanded_url":null,"video_url":null,"belowTheFold":false}" data-component-name="Twitter2ToDOM">

Old Dominion finished 10-3 in the Sun Belt last season, tied for their best record in FBS since 2014. Sacramento State, traditionally a Cal FCS foe, will be moving into the MAC in 2026 as they take a bold step up into the FBS. This will be Cal’s first full FBS schedule without an FCS team since 2016.

Cal’s 2027 non-conference schedule is now set. In between the two matchups, the California Golden Bears will head on the road to take on the UCLA Bruins.

The ACC schedule will expand from eight to nine games next season. There were previously announced ACC future schedules, but they will likely be rearranged in the coming years, so don’t expect a full announcement of next year’s schedule until later in the year.

Cal Football Recruiting Scouting Report: Dane Weber (QB)

Fri, 26 Jun 2026 14:07:01 GMT

Cal and UCLA recently went head-to-head in what was arguably the most important moment in Temecula history since 2014’s Kobe vs LeBron Twitter beef.

Instead of hands, this time the prize was quarterback Dane Weber (Chaparral HS).

@CalFootball @Elite11 ","username":"DaneWeber08","name":"Dane Weber","profile_image_url":"https://pbs.substack.com/profile_images/1858579659899707393/dT62fR5a_normal.jpg","date":"2026-05-01T19:12:06.000Z","photos":[{"img_url":"https://pbs.substack.com/media/HHQZ4fybEAAtaey.jpg","link_url":"https://t.co/N5fPrxkg7A"}],"quoted_tweet":{},"reply_count":15,"retweet_count":27,"like_count":205,"impression_count":6689,"expanded_url":null,"video_url":null,"belowTheFold":false}" data-component-name="Twitter2ToDOM">

Measurements and Stats

Self-reported: 6’2”, 215 pounds
Official camp measurement reportedly closer to 6’0”
4.68s 40 yard dash
Passing: 3,645 yards, 70.1% completion rate, 41 TD, 9 INT, 11.7 YPA
Rushing: 115 carries for 668 yards, 14 TD

Recruiting Profile

Elite 11 Finals invitee
High 3-star on 247 / 4-stars on ESPN and Rivals
Strong national recruiting interest, as he sat near the top of several teams’ quarterback boards, including Cal, UCLA, Michigan, and Cincinnati, while also drawing interest from Ohio State, Georgia, Oregon, and others.

Film Analysis

Weber projects as the modern quarterback archetype, equally comfortable on-platform as he is scrambling to make a play. The first few plays of his Hudl tape tell the story:

0:07 - The DB has a free run at Weber, who scrambles left, reverses field, and delivers a strike to fellow Cal recruit Eli Woodard for a touchdown.

0:24 - Weber drops a dime for a 38-yard TD, putting it over his receiver’s outside shoulder. It’s reminiscent of JKS’s 35-yarder to Jaiven Plummer in the SMU game.

0:34 - After being flushed out of the pocket, Weber uncorks a 40-yard strike to his receiver while on a dead sprint to his left.

1:03 - Norco drops its LBs into coverage, and Weber sees green grass. He decides to tuck it, jukes a backer, and sprints 60 yards for a touchdown.

Weber has a shortstop’s athleticism, making throws from any angle and at full speed to either side. This is due to his efficient throwing motion, using his lower body and trunk to generate most of his power. He’s also a willing runner and will use his truck stick to punish defenders.

One of Weber’s more impressive stats is his 11.7 yards per attempt. He connected on deep shots while still completing 70.1% of his passes. Having four Power 4-level receivers helps, but the efficiency/explosiveness is impressive and should translate to the next level.

His broader stats also compare favorably with other top QB recruits in the region.

Weber’s Elite 11 invite is also noteworthy. Much like Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele a year ago, Weber earned an invitation over several more highly rated recruits. It’s a strong indication that quarterback evaluators see more upside in Weber than the current rankings suggest.

The main knock on Weber is his physique. You just don’t see many 6’0” quarterbacks with stocky builds in the NFL. It’s more the exception than the rule - but Weber might have the tools to break it.

Cal Stylistic Comparison

Weber is what we were all hoping Luke Rubenzer would evolve into. Both hover around 6’0” and have similar dual-threat profiles. Both were Elite 11 quarterbacks. Both arrived at Cal a year after a future No. 1 overall NFL Draft pick.

Weber, however, arrives with a much bigger arm, cleaner mechanics, twenty more pounds of muscle, and probably an inch or two in height.

Conclusion

Weber is a more developed prospect, one who could compete for the starting job after his redshirt freshman year. He doesn't fit the prototypical mode of a quarterback, but he has all the intangibles and adaptability that indicate he can grow into a good college talent.

DBD 2026-06-26: Dee Cee

Fri, 26 Jun 2026 09:00:58 GMT

Cal Depth Chart Discussion and Projections - Offensive Line

Thu, 25 Jun 2026 13:04:07 GMT

Previous post: Cal Depth Chart Discussion and Projections - QB + Skill Players

The room that has given Cal fans the most headache in recent times has unfortunately been the most important position group on offense. But interestingly, while other positions turned over dramatically portal-wise, it will likely have the smallest makeover with four returning starters.

I liken the offensive line to the Knights of the Round Table: reliable, the pinnacle of the sport while doing the dirty job blocking; without whom nothing can be done; and if one were to fall, the Cal offense would falter the same way Camelot did after the Battle of Camlann.

The Knights of the Round Table: Lancelot, Gawain, Agravain, Arthur, Bedevere, Tristan, and Mordred.

Let’s hope there isn’t a Mordred or Lancelot in the group to falter and fail, taking us down to an early trip to Avalon (AKA, the land of 7-5).

Looking into the projected depth chart, we have four players returning from last season’s mixed lineup. There are legitimate questions as to whether the talent level or scheme were the reason for severe under-performance, especially in the run game.

Left Tackle

LT1: Jimothy Lewis

LT2: Frederick Williams III

LT3: Jacob Arop

Now there is a chance that the LT and RT spots will flip since for a lefty QB, you want the better pass protector on the blindside. However, the modern football theory is that both tackle spots are equally important, so I am placing Lewis in his go-to spot. He has the prototypical size and agility as well as HS recruiting accolades on top of having Alabama being the suitor in the portal indicate that he is a high high ceiling player who has potential to become a plus tackle in college football and a potential NFL draftee.

Theoretically, this ought to be an improvement over the Nick Morrow/Williams rotation experiment, where we struggled to find an answer at the position for the longest time. I do believe and buy into the FW III upside, considering his athletic profile, his hand skills and gametime snaps. Jacob Arop is another addition to the. “this lad is big and moves well, but boy is he raw” stack of players Cal has been collecting. He has prototypical size, but will he develop?

Left Guard

LG1: Tyson Ruffins

LG2: Ashton Rivera

LG3: Kahlee Tafai

Here we enter the area of relative strength: the interior of the offensive line. And this strength is anchored on Ruffins, who can play all 3 positions on the interior of the offensive line. His biggest strength is the fact that he is versatile and a real freaking strong lad. He moves people, and doesn’t get moved all that much. There is some discussion about his pass protection, but it is coachable, and with another year with Anae, I can see him being the best lineman we have on the team.

Rivera comes in from the Golden Flashes as a natural center; however, I do think he has some flexibility, since Cal does have a returning starter at the center position. He comes in with experience as a guard on both sides, thus making him a natural choice as the backup for the interior OL.

Tafai comes in as another developmental player who has had stops at Minnesota and Washington. He hasn’t been able to find his foothold to gain snaps at the P4 level, but being on the bench and developing further can help him in the long run.

Center

C1: Bastian Swinney

C2: Ashton Rivera

C3: Tyson Ruffins

The center position brings both a ton of production, but whether past production will lead to above-average production in the future remains to be seen. None of the players has yet to produce high enough quality results to settle the position, making this an ultimate low-ceiling, high-floor situation.

The upside case will be the average Cal football fan never identifying the center who is doing the yeoman’s job of blocking, tackling, snapping the ball, and calling protections. The downside case is the average Cal fan knowing all three of their names, as Cal can’t find someone to take over the position cycling through the center spot, making everyone aware of the fact.

Right Guard

RG1: Sioape Vatikani

RG2: Tyson Ruffins

RG3: Ashton Rivera

RG4: Kahlee Tafai

This is likely the deepest position group on the offense overall. The expectation is that Sioape keeps developing pass protecting, along with some of his lateral agility for zone run blocking. I do think if he takes this step in his development, he can be a late-round draft pick.

Ruffins is slotted in as a backup here, since in my view, the RG is more important for both the pass protection and run game, since they will have to support the less proficient of the two tackles on the depth chart.

Rivera slots in as the utility interior OL who has experience.

Right Tackle

RT1: Frederick Williams III

RT2: Jacob Arop

RT3: Mykeal Rabess

Here we have a possible point of concern for the OL. Even if we flip the LT/RT line-ups, whichever side that has Williams and Arop will have similar issues —raw skillsets that need to catch up with good athleticism in a critical position for the OL to succeed. The concern with FWIII is that his starting snaps at Cal showed a raw prospect with more lows than highs. The upside was tangible, but he has to reach it through the off-season.

The question with Arop is the fact that all of his production came from a FCS South Dakota squad that made the FCS quarterfinals in 2025, and he did not play football until his Junior year of High School. If either of them develops into their bodies, there is a high upside.

I feel, I think, I know

I want to end every segment of this series with some feelings, thoughts, and beliefs I have on the group of players discussed, based on the level of evidence and confidence. Here, I will take a look at how the Knights of the Round Table fall:

I feel that…

We are going to see Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele learning how to climb the pocket more than he has in the past. This is because of the relative strength of the OL between the tackles than on the edges. This will likely extend to the running game, where, especially early on, Cal will hammer the A-gap, and try to use the athleticism of FWIII and Lewis in the screen game. It’s a good thing we have a hammer in Adam Mohammed and an agile screen threat in Carter Vargas.

I think that…

Offensive coordinator Jordan Somerville and offensive line coach Famika Anae understand that the offensive line will dictate whether this offense will live or die throughout the season. I think that early in the season, we will see a lot of six-man protections with the running backs. Also, I could see 12 personnel looks where the two tight ends would be in-line, and given chip responsibilities to help the tackles if needed.
If the need for such pass blocking help is not needed, I can see tight ends and running backs go into routes more often, without having pass blocking responsibilities, allowing for deeper routes (such as my beloved RB Wheel and Texas routes, or the TE Y crosser).
Here we have an example of a case where the TE stays in pass protection, and the RB has to check before releasing into the outlet pass. This restricts the passing game to three deep players, allowing the opposing team to cover them with ease.

I know that…

If there is a case where we see constant non-injury caused changes to the lineup in weeks 2-3, then it will portend a rough season for the offense. By trying to find answers early season, it will mean that none of the retentions or additions provided us with answers across the line. I am a believer in the idea that you do not find the starting 5 during the season, you find them in the off-season and field them together as much as you can to build unit cohesion.

Next up: The Offensive Coaches

DBD 2026-06-25: Flu shot

Thu, 25 Jun 2026 09:01:11 GMT

Cal Football Lands Their First 2028 Commit in Folsom QB Brody Rudnicki

Wed, 24 Jun 2026 22:10:02 GMT

@BrodyRudnicki @FolsomBulldogFB @CoachLup @CalFootball ","username":"Passing_Academy","name":"NorCal Passing Academy","profile_image_url":"https://pbs.substack.com/profile_images/2008326635720933376/zeZc-QuQ_normal.jpg","date":"2026-06-24T18:39:43.000Z","photos":[{"img_url":"https://pbs.substack.com/media/HLmYTnYbEAA3ks7.jpg","link_url":"https://t.co/A106WLeRRQ"}],"quoted_tweet":{},"reply_count":0,"retweet_count":7,"like_count":48,"impression_count":1344,"expanded_url":null,"video_url":null,"belowTheFold":false}" data-component-name="Twitter2ToDOM">

There will be two quarterback commits in 2027 for the California Golden Bears, as Folsom (Ca.) QB Brody Rudnicki made the call to be in Berkeley. Rudnicki announced on the Rivals YouTube channel earlier today.

This will provide Cal quarterback coverage for this class and next. Rudnicki will be going on his LDS mission in 2027, meaning he will enroll at Berkeley in 2028. Elite 11 QB Dane Weber remains Cal’s planned sole signal-caller for this class.

The 6-1, 205 Folsom quarterback is the 63rd best prospect and the 99th best California recruit in this class, via 247Sports Composite. Here are the Hudl highlights.

@Passing_Academy @GregBiggins \n\nFilm ⬇️⬇️\n\nhudl.com/v/2SbRHw ","username":"BrodyRudnicki","name":"Brody Rudnicki","profile_image_url":"https://pbs.substack.com/profile_images/2003553895470235648/8NrNs79u_normal.jpg","date":"2025-12-23T20:25:13.000Z","photos":[{"img_url":"https://pbs.substack.com/media/G84Vh2AagAMReEf.jpg","link_url":"https://t.co/xKA9DF3zi6"}],"quoted_tweet":{},"reply_count":3,"retweet_count":14,"like_count":85,"impression_count":34313,"expanded_url":null,"video_url":null,"belowTheFold":false}" data-component-name="Twitter2ToDOM">

Rudnick was a backup last year at Folsom before an injury to the starter, future BYU QB Ryder Lyons, put Rudnicki in the starting role, where he put up the stats you see above.

Welcome to Cal Brody!

DBD 2026-06-24: Cured meat

Wed, 24 Jun 2026 09:02:11 GMT

Cal Football Recruiting: Summer Decisions Incoming For Several Top Targets

Wed, 24 Jun 2026 01:50:38 GMT

Four-star Chandler (Az.) Basha offensive lineman DaJohn Yarborough has become a major recruit for the Golden Bears to go after in recent months, and it’s clear Cal has become a significant player. Other visits included Washington, Mississippi State, and Florida State. Yarborough is the 26th best interior offensive lineman and a top 10 Arizona prospect this cycle, via 247Sports Composite.

Four-star Temecula (Ca.) Chaparral WR Eli Woodard has been on the eyes of the Golden Bears since his decommitment from USC, and particularly since his quarterback Dane Weber became Cal’s quarterback in this 2027 class. The battle goes on between Miami, Cal and UCLA, but Woodard’s commitment would ensure the Bears have one of the top elite wideout classes in this cycle. Woodard is the 162nd-ranked recruit, the 15th-best California prospect, and the 24th-best wide receiver in this class according to 247Sports Composite.

@GregBiggins, Cal insider @Thomasdunn24 & UCLA insider @Tracy_McDannald for a closer look at this battle #GoCanes. on3.com/teams/miami-hu… ","username":"EJHollandOn3","name":"\"EJ Holland\"","profile_image_url":"https://pbs.substack.com/profile_images/2067392827328229376/PrPGddfi_normal.jpg","date":"2026-06-23T17:24:00.000Z","photos":[{"img_url":"https://pbs.substack.com/media/HLg9S4Qa8AAgByY.jpg","link_url":"https://t.co/Qu2cYREViA"}],"quoted_tweet":{},"reply_count":1,"retweet_count":6,"like_count":53,"impression_count":4472,"expanded_url":null,"video_url":null,"belowTheFold":false}" data-component-name="Twitter2ToDOM">

Four-star defensive lineman Sam LeJeune from Poplarville (Ms.) is one of the top prospects on the board for Tosh Lupoi, but he’s in a pitched battle with Florida State and Washington to land the big man upfront as he makes a call tomorrow. Standing at 6-3 and 280 pounds, LeJeune is the 5th best Mississippi prospect and the 11th best defensive lineman overall by 247Sports Composite.

Four-star defensive Spanish Fork (Utah) Maple Mountain edge Uhila Wolfgramm has been approached by major programs like BYU, Utah, and Oklahoma, but Cal has appeared as a surprise competitor based on his comfort level in the Bay Area. Wolfgramm is the 202nd best prospect, the 19th best edge, and the 4th best Utah prospect in this class.

on3.com/college/oklaho… ","username":"GregBiggins","name":"Greg Biggins","profile_image_url":"https://pbs.substack.com/profile_images/1983634118438219785/bJQ5Uyde_normal.jpg","date":"2026-06-22T17:44:38.000Z","photos":[{"img_url":"https://pbs.substack.com/media/HLb3GA9boAAgB6i.jpg","link_url":"https://t.co/drzyoONsaV"}],"quoted_tweet":{},"reply_count":13,"retweet_count":31,"like_count":354,"impression_count":16148,"expanded_url":null,"video_url":null,"belowTheFold":false}" data-component-name="Twitter2ToDOM">

Three-star defensive lineman Jason Johnson from Humble (Tx.) is a top 60 Texas recruit, and has Cal in his final four as he prepares to make a decision next week between Cal, LSU, Vanderbilt and Texas.