Cal Football: Signing Day Begets Spring Roster Changes

BERKELEY, CA - Signing day was a muted affair in Berkeley, as the Bears announced the signing of Isaiah Humphries, the Penn State DB transfer who has already enrolled and is in Cal's winter workout program.

READ: Second Time Around Came Up Golden for Humphries

With Spring Football right around the corner, the Cal Spring Football Roster has been released, and we're going to take a closer look at it, along with Spring injuries and other issues.

26 - Deshawn Collins - RB - 5'10", 200 lbs

Collins comes in from City College of San Francisco, as Cal offered him late in the cycle, and he committed after his official visit. Justin Wilcox joked that he'd gotten Collins to smile once, when he told him he had an offer from Cal, and that was about it. Collins should provide an immediate contributor at the running back spot in the spring, and a potential starter for the fall.

"He's a tough guy, all business, no-nonsense type of guy. He's what we need there in the backfield," WR coach Burl Toler said, "he's already here, rolling out, started classes and he's enjoying it."

37 - Braxten Croteau - DE - 6'5", 245 lbs

Croteau comes in early out of Liberty HS, and will be joined by his former teammate Ryan Puskas over the summer. He's slated for the defensive end spot, with the potential to move through a bunch of different spots on the line depending on how his body develops

8 - Kuony Deng - ILB - 6'6", 225 lbs

Deng, one of Cal's two four-stars in the 2019 class already practiced with the team in the lead up to the bowl game. Cal's putting him at inside linebacker for now, but they'll use him in plenty of different areas going forward.

2 - Isaiah Humphries - S - 5'11", 190 lbs

Humphries committed to Cal after a visit at the beginning of January, after announcing his transfer from Penn State last November. Humphries may not be eligible this year due to transfer rules, but will be in the position to contribute in a big way in 2020.

"We recruited Isaiah out of high school," Wilcox said, "he went to Penn State. He spent some time there and he, for his own reasons, decided to make a change. We got in touch with him, knew what kind of athlete he was, talked to some people and did our work, our background work not only from high school, but from college. He came out for a visit and really enjoyed it, so good addition."

4 - Devon Modster - QB - 6'2", 215 lbs

Modster, the UCLA transfer, comes to the Bears after visiting in December. He's an immediate competitor to start at QB, as he, Chase Garbers, and Jack Newman will compete for the spot in spring ball.

8 - Jack Newman - QB - 6'1", 190 lbs

Newman comes to Berkeley along with hiss backfield-mate in Collins, as he accepted a preferred walk-on offer from Cal instead of taking one of four FBS scholarship offers. He adds a much needed presence to the QB room

"He's here, did great, threw for 4000 yards as a senior in high school," Toler said, "ended up at City College last year with Collins. He has great leadership, he's motivated, he can obviously do it athletically, so we're looking for him to contribute immediately."

48 - Orin Patu - OLB - 6'4", 215 lbs

Patu comes in a little bigger than his high school size, listed at 215. Wilcox did note that Patu has added a bit more weight since coming in, getting to around 220. He'll have a good opportunity to learn from Cam Goode this spring, as the two are similar body types and play similarly as well..

17 - Makai Polk - WR - 6'3", 185 lbs

Polk comes in early at receiver (he played both ways in high school, and Toler noted that he and Nick Edwards had to fight Gerald Alexander to keep Polk on offense), and he'll have plenty of opportunity with nine receivers currently on the roster.

"He's a great local Bay Area football talent," Toler said, "he loves Cal football, grew up in the area. He's been a great addition to the team already, you see that in offseason workouts, he's driven, he has a lot to prove, and I think even in the recruiting process, guys put a lot on offers. Makai's a kind of guy that once he knew Cal was the right fit, once he knew the players and the coaches in the program and the team, he knew he wanted to be a Cal Bear."

Out for the Spring:

OL Henry Bazakas - Lower Body

OL Valentino Daltoso - Upper Body

ILB Nick Henderson - Lower Body

NG Aaron Maldonado - Lower Body

ILB Evan Rambo - Upper Body

Two players, Cam Goode and Mike Saffell, were singled out by Wilcox as being limited in camp, but will be able to participate in full for at least part of the festivities.

One position change:

- Brandon McIlwain is listed as an athlete, as he'll be in the mix at wide receiver. He'll be available this spring despite playing baseball, thanks to the morning practices.

Some notable weight changes:

- DE Nick Alftin is up to 255 (from 240)

- OL Matt Cindric is up to 290 (from 270)

- OLB Cam Goode is up to 233 (from 225)

- TE Gavin Reinwald is up to 240 (from 220), as Wilcox noted that the Elk Grove TE (who redshirted in 2018) had completely changed his body. Reinwald's in line to be a big contributor this spring alongside McCallan Castles

- OLB JH Tevis is up to 255 (from 225 coming in)

Players who received redshirts:

- OLB Nick Alftin

- ILB Zach Angelillo

- CB Chigozie Anusiem

- ILB Louie Bickett

- OLB Parker Boesche

- TE McCallan Castles

- OL Matthew Cindric

- RB Marcel Dancy

- OL Jasper Friis

- ILB Nick Henderson

- K Dario Longhetto

- S Steve McIntosh

- OL Brandon Mello

- DE Erick Nisich

- OL Miles Owens

- WR Ryan Regan

- QB Robby Rowell

- WR Ben Skinner

- ILB Evan Tattersall

- OLB JH Tevis

- ILB Tommy Vanus

- ILB Sam Walker

- WR Monroe Young

- LS Slater Zellers