Cal is heading into Saturday night’s opener against UCLA without an official depth chart, so the picture at several spots remains hazy. The offense looks mostly sorted out, but the defense is a different story. The Bears are expected to have only one starting spot filled by a returning Cal starter.
At quarterback, Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele is the projected starter, with EJ Caminong as the backup if something happens to him.
The backfield figures to be shared. Kendrick Raphael is projected as the starter at running back, with Kendrick Mohammed and Isaiah Vargas both expected to get carries against UCLA. There’s also a chance Ashten Emory gets into the game.
Cal’s tight end usage could shape the opening lineup. The Bears are expected to begin many games with two tight ends, which would put Mason Strong and Jordan Hendricks on the field from the start and leave Mason Perry out of the initial lineup.
If Cal opens with two tight ends again, that could also mean Jack Mini and either Josh Purcell or Chris Thomas are in the starting group. The Bears could even roll out three tight ends to start the game.
Purcell is the Bears’ one true freshman who is almost certain to get significant playing time this year.
Up front, Howard and Klisiewicz did not play at all last season as true freshmen, but they could see action if injuries hit the offensive line. Daniel McMorris, also a true freshman, could work his way into the rotation later in the season.
Defensively, Cal is expected to use two interior defensive linemen, two outside linebackers, two inside linebackers and five defensive backs. That’s the same general setup Tosh Lupoi used as Oregon’s defensive coordinator.
If the Bears go with three interior defensive linemen, the third spot would likely belong to Shepphard or Derek Wilkins. Burrell missed all of last season with an injury, but is presumed healthy now.
At linebacker, Beadles is pushing for a starting job and could win it before the season ends. The backup behind Williams is not settled and could be Beadles.
The two key linebacker spots are still in flux, and the starters could change as the year goes on. Freshman McKinley is another name to watch, and he could get on the field early in his first college season.
Cal is also trying to get its five best defensive backs on the field together, which could force some position shuffling. Lopa is viewed as a strong prospect and is going to play somewhere, possibly at the hybrid Star spot if he is not at safety.
If Lopa moves to Star, Manutai would slide into a starting safety role, the same spot he held as a freshman starter last season. Crosby started the first four games last year before suffering a season-ending injury, but his status as a starter this season remains uncertain.
Fletcher is locked in at one cornerback spot, while several players could get a chance to win the other job.
Special teams should also feature a split role. McGough has the stronger leg, so he is likely to handle kickoffs and longer field-goal tries.
Meyer will be used on field goals from 40-45 yards or shorter because McGough’s accuracy has been an issue. Crosby, Mohammed and others could also be used on kick and punt returns.
In Other News...
Cal Opens With A Real Chance To Shake Up UCLA
The 2026 college football season opens with a West Coast matchup that already has a little more bite than a typical Week 1 meeting. California is headed into the opener against UCLA with real reason to believe it can make things uncomfortable, especially after a roster makeover and the arrival of Josh Lupoi, whose defensive background has raised the profile of what the Golden Bears might be building.
UCLA brings plenty back, including quarterback Nico Iamaleava, and the Bruins are expected to keep growing after returning 67% of their 2025 production. Even so, there is a sense around this game that Cal may not be walking in merely to be competitive. The Bears are being viewed as a small underdog with a legitimate shot to spring an upset, which is exactly the kind of early test that can change the tone of a season before it fully gets going. [Read more 🡒]
Cal May Have Found The Answer To Its Run Game Problem
Cals search for help in the run game may have gotten an important boost in January, when Adam Mohammed arrived after transferring from Washington. The move raised a few eyebrows at the time, since he was viewed as a player with a real path to a bigger role, but Cals staff and teammates have been quick to praise both his ability and his approach. For a program trying to add stability and juice on the ground, that kind of addition matters.
Mohammed has also made clear that Cal checked more than one box for him, pointing to the chance to keep growing on the field while also getting the education he wanted. That blend of fit and opportunity is part of why he stands out as such a potentially useful piece for the Bears, who are still looking for answers to a run game that needed reinforcements. Whether he becomes the answer is still to be sorted out, but Cal has clearly identified him as a player worth leaning on. [Read more 🡒]
Cal Wants UCLA Week To Prove Something Bigger At Home
With a big home date against UCLA on deck, Cal is trying to turn the week into more than just another buzz-filled buildup. Tosh Lupoi spent time speaking directly to students and fans, pushing for a strong campus turnout while the program kept its emphasis on preparation and process rather than the spotlight surrounding the matchup. Coaches and team leaders have stressed that the best way to handle the anticipation is to stay locked in on their own work and not get pulled into the outside noise.
On the sideline structure, there will be a familiar division of labor in the booth and on the field, with Jordan Somerville handling play-calling from above and Nick Rolovitch working with the offense at ground level. It is the sort of setup that can matter most when the emotions around a home game start running high, and for Cal, this one is carrying enough attention that the details feel worth watching before a single snap is taken. [Read more 🡒]