Cal kept one of their biggest pieces on the offensive line intact, with news that left tackle Aaron Cochran would be returning for his senior season at Cal. Cochran was the primary starter at left tackle this season, starting 11 out of 12 games for the Bears, missing the season opener in Hawaii due to a knee sprain.

Cochran protected Davis Webb's blind side for the majority of the season, as the Bears allowed only 16 sacks for the season, while the Bears averaged almost 52 passing attempts per game(2nd most in the country), good for the 5th best sack rate in the country (2.66% of offensive snaps ending in a sack). That's down from a 4.93% sack rate in 2015.

Cochran leaving would have left a massive hole in the offensive line, not solely because he's 6'8" and 350 lbs, but it allows backup LT Patrick Mekari to slide over to the right tackle spot as the prospective starter there in 2017, giving the offensive line more continuity after replacing two four-year starters.