18.
Florida State
9-4
217
NR
24.
Michigan State
9-4
179
18
25.
California
9-4
116
NR
AP Top 25
RANK
TEAM
RECORD
PTS
LAST
1
Florida (48)
13-1
1606
1
2
Utah (16)
13-0
1519
7
3
Southern Cal (1)
12-1
1481
5
9-4
217
NR
24.
Michigan State
9-4
179
18
25.
California
9-4
116
NR
AP Top 25
RANK
TEAM
RECORD
PTS
LAST
1
Florida (48)
13-1
1606
1
2
Utah (16)
13-0
1519
7
3
Southern Cal (1)
12-1
1481
5
22
Georgia Tech
9-4
223
14
23
West Virginia
9-4
144
NR
24
Michigan St.
9-4
138
19
25
BYU
10-3
137
17
Others receiving votes: California 128, Pittsburgh 106, LSU 95, Nebraska 64, Tulsa 61, Northwestern 53, Ball St. 13, Boston College 11, Rutgers 11, Rice 8, Arizona 4, Kansas 2.First-place votes in parentheses
Georgia Tech
9-4
223
14
23
West Virginia
9-4
144
NR
24
Michigan St.
9-4
138
19
25
BYU
10-3
137
17
Others receiving votes: California 128, Pittsburgh 106, LSU 95, Nebraska 64, Tulsa 61, Northwestern 53, Ball St. 13, Boston College 11, Rutgers 11, Rice 8, Arizona 4, Kansas 2.First-place votes in parentheses
FIRST ROUND
ALEX MACK
College: California
Position: CenterHeight/weight: 6-foot-4, 312 pounds
Position: CenterHeight/weight: 6-foot-4, 312 pounds
Pick: First round, 21st overall
Overview: The top-rated center in the 2009 draft class was a two-time Rimington Trophy finalist, given to college football's top-rated center. ... Was recently awarded the Draddy Trophy as college football's top scholar-athlete. ... Ran a 4.99 in the 40-yard dash. ... Impressively power clean lifted 374 pounds. .. Has already earned his degree in Legal Studies. ... Graded out 85.77 percent as a blocker at Cal, and allowed only one sack. ... Is expected to step in at center and allow Hank Fraley to move to the right side of the line.Mangini says: "With Alex, he is an outstanding center and outstanding person. I think he's going to be a good player here for a long time."Kokinis says: "He played guard in the Senior Bowl. When you get a young offensive lineman with that versatility, you've got to go get him."
Follett (Lions) and Morrah (Seahawks) are both selected in the seventh round.
April 26, 2009
(NEW YORK, NY) -- Former Cal football players linebacker Zack Follett and tight end Cameron Morrah were both selected in the seventh round Sunday on the second and final day of the 2009 NFL Draft. Follett was taken by the Detroit Lions (No. 235 overall), while the Seattle Seahawks selected Morrah (No. 248 overall). The pair joins former college teammate Alex Mack as former Cal players selected in the 2009 NFL Draft. Mack was a first round selection (No. 21 overall) by the Cleveland Browns on the first day of the draft on Saturday.
Follett earned first-team All-Pac-10 honors in 2008 as he improved upon his second-team selection the previous season, and also picked up the team's Bear Backers Award for its Most Valuable Player honor on defense for the second straight year. Follett was once again one of the hardest hitters in the conference and ranked among league leaders in several different categories, pacing the Pac-10 in tackles for loss (23.0, 1.77 per game, No. 3 NCAA) and forced fumbles (5), while ranking fourth in quarterback sacks (10.5, .81 per game, No. 17T NCAA) and tied for 12th in total tackles (87, 6.69 per game). He also returned a blocked field goal attempt 65 yards for a touchdown at Washington State and added a fumble recovery against Maryland. Follett was a 2008 semifinalist for the Chuck Bednarik Award given to the country's best defensive player, a quarterfinalist for the Lott Trophy, the Emerald Bowl MVP, and for the second straight year was honored with the team's Berkeley Breakfast Club Award as its defensive MVP in the Big Game. He also earned Lott Trophy IMPACT Player of the Week and Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Week honors after recording 11 tackles, 3.0 tackles for loss and a sack in a 26-16 win over Oregon on November 1.
Other notable honors during Follett's collegiate career included an honorable mention All-Pac-10 selection as a sophomore in 2006 and first-team Freshman All-American recognition from Rivals.com during his 2005 rookie campaign when he made 32 tackles, including 3.0 for loss, recorded 2.0 sacks, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. He finished his four years at Cal ranked 12th on the school's all-time tackles list with 245 over 49 games (23 starts), 51.0 tackles for loss (No. 5 all-time at Cal), 23.5 sacks (No. 6 all-time at Cal), 13 forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, an interception and 15 pass break-ups.
"I'm excited because they're going to give me a good shot with the Lions," said Follett. "They're the ones that put their neck out and drafted me. I think the reason why I fell [in the draft] is because of my medical history with the neck problems and shoulder stuff that other teams didn't want to risk and take that pick. I think that's the reason I fell, but I'm not the one to make excuses. I'm excited to get out there and play."
"I'm seriously not disappointed," added Follett. "I'm glad to be drafted."
Morrah entered the 2009 NFL Draft after a junior season in which he became one of Cal's most reliable targets, setting a new single-season record for touchdown catches by a Golden Bear tight end in 2008 with a team-high eight scoring grabs and was on the receiving end of at least one touchdown pass in five consecutive contests. The eight touchdown receptions also rank seventh overall on the school's all-time single-season list. Morrah ended his junior campaign with the best numbers of his career (27 receptions, 326 receiving yards, 8 TDs). He totaled 41 receptions for 484 yards and 10 touchdowns over 33 games and 18 starts during his three years at Cal.
"They called me on the phone and told me that they really liked me, and I was excited about that," said Morrah. "I just feel like I'm in a great situation going to Seattle. It's a great place, and I have met a couple people up there so I have got to make the most of it."
Morrah entered the 2009 NFL Draft after a junior season in which he became one of Cal's most reliable targets, setting a new single-season record for touchdown catches by a Golden Bear tight end in 2008 with a team-high eight scoring grabs and was on the receiving end of a touchdown pass in five consecutive contests. The eight touchdown receptions also rank seventh overall on the school's all-time single-season list. Morrah ended his junior campaign with the best numbers of his career (27 receptions, 326 receiving yards, 8 TDs). He totaled 41 receptions for 484 yards and 10 touchdowns over 33 games and 18 starts during his three years at Cal.
Stay tuned to calbears.com to learn of any former Cal players signing NFL free agent contracts.
(NEW YORK, NY) -- Former Cal football players linebacker Zack Follett and tight end Cameron Morrah were both selected in the seventh round Sunday on the second and final day of the 2009 NFL Draft. Follett was taken by the Detroit Lions (No. 235 overall), while the Seattle Seahawks selected Morrah (No. 248 overall). The pair joins former college teammate Alex Mack as former Cal players selected in the 2009 NFL Draft. Mack was a first round selection (No. 21 overall) by the Cleveland Browns on the first day of the draft on Saturday.
Follett earned first-team All-Pac-10 honors in 2008 as he improved upon his second-team selection the previous season, and also picked up the team's Bear Backers Award for its Most Valuable Player honor on defense for the second straight year. Follett was once again one of the hardest hitters in the conference and ranked among league leaders in several different categories, pacing the Pac-10 in tackles for loss (23.0, 1.77 per game, No. 3 NCAA) and forced fumbles (5), while ranking fourth in quarterback sacks (10.5, .81 per game, No. 17T NCAA) and tied for 12th in total tackles (87, 6.69 per game). He also returned a blocked field goal attempt 65 yards for a touchdown at Washington State and added a fumble recovery against Maryland. Follett was a 2008 semifinalist for the Chuck Bednarik Award given to the country's best defensive player, a quarterfinalist for the Lott Trophy, the Emerald Bowl MVP, and for the second straight year was honored with the team's Berkeley Breakfast Club Award as its defensive MVP in the Big Game. He also earned Lott Trophy IMPACT Player of the Week and Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Week honors after recording 11 tackles, 3.0 tackles for loss and a sack in a 26-16 win over Oregon on November 1.
Other notable honors during Follett's collegiate career included an honorable mention All-Pac-10 selection as a sophomore in 2006 and first-team Freshman All-American recognition from Rivals.com during his 2005 rookie campaign when he made 32 tackles, including 3.0 for loss, recorded 2.0 sacks, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. He finished his four years at Cal ranked 12th on the school's all-time tackles list with 245 over 49 games (23 starts), 51.0 tackles for loss (No. 5 all-time at Cal), 23.5 sacks (No. 6 all-time at Cal), 13 forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, an interception and 15 pass break-ups.
"I'm excited because they're going to give me a good shot with the Lions," said Follett. "They're the ones that put their neck out and drafted me. I think the reason why I fell [in the draft] is because of my medical history with the neck problems and shoulder stuff that other teams didn't want to risk and take that pick. I think that's the reason I fell, but I'm not the one to make excuses. I'm excited to get out there and play."
"I'm seriously not disappointed," added Follett. "I'm glad to be drafted."
Morrah entered the 2009 NFL Draft after a junior season in which he became one of Cal's most reliable targets, setting a new single-season record for touchdown catches by a Golden Bear tight end in 2008 with a team-high eight scoring grabs and was on the receiving end of at least one touchdown pass in five consecutive contests. The eight touchdown receptions also rank seventh overall on the school's all-time single-season list. Morrah ended his junior campaign with the best numbers of his career (27 receptions, 326 receiving yards, 8 TDs). He totaled 41 receptions for 484 yards and 10 touchdowns over 33 games and 18 starts during his three years at Cal.
"They called me on the phone and told me that they really liked me, and I was excited about that," said Morrah. "I just feel like I'm in a great situation going to Seattle. It's a great place, and I have met a couple people up there so I have got to make the most of it."
Morrah entered the 2009 NFL Draft after a junior season in which he became one of Cal's most reliable targets, setting a new single-season record for touchdown catches by a Golden Bear tight end in 2008 with a team-high eight scoring grabs and was on the receiving end of a touchdown pass in five consecutive contests. The eight touchdown receptions also rank seventh overall on the school's all-time single-season list. Morrah ended his junior campaign with the best numbers of his career (27 receptions, 326 receiving yards, 8 TDs). He totaled 41 receptions for 484 yards and 10 touchdowns over 33 games and 18 starts during his three years at Cal.
Stay tuned to calbears.com to learn of any former Cal players signing NFL free agent contracts.
Other Notables Worrell Williams, linebacker: Projected sixth or seventh round selection 2008 stats: 64 tackles, 5 tackles for loss, 1 sack Anthony Felder, linebacker: Projected sixth or seventh round selection 2008 stats: 93 tackles, 5.5 sacks, 1 interception Rulon Davis, defensive end: Projected late round selection or free agent signing 2008 stats: 19 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, 4 sacks Will Ta'ufo'ou, fullback: Projected free agent signing 2008 stats: 4 carries, 26 yards, 7 catches, 27 yards, 1 touchdown Nate Longshore, quarterback: Projected free agent signing 2008 stats: 1051 passing yards, 10 touchdowns, 4 interceptions Nick Sundberg, long snapper: Projected free agent signing
Follett's free-fall ends with Lions
By Jonathan OkanesStaff
Posted: 04/26/2009 09:25:09 PM PDT
Updated: 04/26/2009 09:41:20 PM PDT
Sunday was a real pain in the neck for Zack Follett.
Cal's former star linebacker, who was projected by most analysts to go in the fourth round of the NFL draft, had to wait until the middle of the seventh and final round to hear his name called. He was finally taken by the Detroit Lions with the 235th overall selection.
Follett's agent, Kenny Chapman, said some teams told him Sunday that his client failed his physical because of a recurring neck injury.
"We had a concern early on, but we had no clue that he did not pass the physicals," Chapman said.
Follett spent most of his Cal career battling neck problems. He was forced out of three games during the 2007 season with a neck stinger and was in and out of the training room much of the past two years for treatment.
"I don't really know what it was," Follett said. "It's definitely humbling. It's something I'm sure I needed. It happened for a reason."
Follett was one of only two Cal players taken on the second day of the draft. Tight end Cameron Morrah was taken 13 picks after Follett by the Seattle Seahawks.
Morrah surprised many by declaring for the draft after his junior season. He said much of the motivation for doing so was so his ailing grandmother can watch him play in the NFL.
"I have no regrets about my decision," Morrah said. "I thought I'd be picked a little earlier. But I'm getting into a great situation in Seattle."
In a mild surprise, linebackers Worrell Williams and Anthony Felder were not drafted. Each was projected to go sometime late in the draft.
"I thought there was a chance I could slip but not to where I wouldn't be drafted at all." Williams said. "I just want to play ball. I'm motivated to make sure I don't feel the pain and disappointment that I feel right now."
Defensive end Rulon Davis, who was considered a borderline draft pick, also went unselected.
Chapman predicted Follett will become the Lions' special teams captain and "make a lot of teams regret that they passed him up."
"We drafted a good football player that was productive and was on the board too long," Lions coach Jim Schwartz said. "He's a great effort player, and he's been extremely productive in the Pac-10."
Although Follett admitted his neck problems probably were the reason for his fall in the draft, he is still motivated to prove the rest of the league wrong.
"They're going to pay for it," he said. "I'm going to hit those players and take them out of the game. I'm excited."
San Jose State had three players drafted Sunday — defensive tackle Jarron Gilbert (Chicago) and cornerback Chris Owens (Atlanta) in the third round and cornerback Coye Francis (Cleveland) in the sixth round. Stanford didn't have any players drafted.
By Jonathan OkanesStaff
Posted: 04/26/2009 09:25:09 PM PDT
Updated: 04/26/2009 09:41:20 PM PDT
Sunday was a real pain in the neck for Zack Follett.
Cal's former star linebacker, who was projected by most analysts to go in the fourth round of the NFL draft, had to wait until the middle of the seventh and final round to hear his name called. He was finally taken by the Detroit Lions with the 235th overall selection.
Follett's agent, Kenny Chapman, said some teams told him Sunday that his client failed his physical because of a recurring neck injury.
"We had a concern early on, but we had no clue that he did not pass the physicals," Chapman said.
Follett spent most of his Cal career battling neck problems. He was forced out of three games during the 2007 season with a neck stinger and was in and out of the training room much of the past two years for treatment.
"I don't really know what it was," Follett said. "It's definitely humbling. It's something I'm sure I needed. It happened for a reason."
Follett was one of only two Cal players taken on the second day of the draft. Tight end Cameron Morrah was taken 13 picks after Follett by the Seattle Seahawks.
Morrah surprised many by declaring for the draft after his junior season. He said much of the motivation for doing so was so his ailing grandmother can watch him play in the NFL.
"I have no regrets about my decision," Morrah said. "I thought I'd be picked a little earlier. But I'm getting into a great situation in Seattle."
In a mild surprise, linebackers Worrell Williams and Anthony Felder were not drafted. Each was projected to go sometime late in the draft.
"I thought there was a chance I could slip but not to where I wouldn't be drafted at all." Williams said. "I just want to play ball. I'm motivated to make sure I don't feel the pain and disappointment that I feel right now."
Defensive end Rulon Davis, who was considered a borderline draft pick, also went unselected.
Chapman predicted Follett will become the Lions' special teams captain and "make a lot of teams regret that they passed him up."
"We drafted a good football player that was productive and was on the board too long," Lions coach Jim Schwartz said. "He's a great effort player, and he's been extremely productive in the Pac-10."
Although Follett admitted his neck problems probably were the reason for his fall in the draft, he is still motivated to prove the rest of the league wrong.
"They're going to pay for it," he said. "I'm going to hit those players and take them out of the game. I'm excited."
San Jose State had three players drafted Sunday — defensive tackle Jarron Gilbert (Chicago) and cornerback Chris Owens (Atlanta) in the third round and cornerback Coye Francis (Cleveland) in the sixth round. Stanford didn't have any players drafted.
Bears finally get to join the party
After quiet opening 2 rounds, Angelo emphasizes defense on 'a very good second day'
April 27, 2009
BY BRAD BIGGS bbiggs@suntimes.com
After quiet opening 2 rounds, Angelo emphasizes defense on 'a very good second day'
April 27, 2009
BY BRAD BIGGS bbiggs@suntimes.com
On the free-agent front, the Bears added speedy Northwestern wide receiver Eric Peterman and got one of the better fullbacks in the draft class in Cal's Will Taufoou. They also signed Kansas linebacker Mike Rivera, Hampton guard Dennis Conley, Rutgers linebacker Kevin Malast, UNLV guard Johan Asiata and UConn safety Dahna Deleston.
Three Former Cal Players Sign NFL Free Agent Contracts
DE Rulon Davis (Denver Broncos), LB Anthony Felder (San Diego Chargers) and FB Will Ta'ufo'ou ink deals on Monday.
April 27, 2009
BERKELEY - Three former Cal football players signed undrafted NFL rookie free agent contracts as the inking of DE Rulon Davis (Denver Broncos), LB Anthony Felder (San Diego Chargers) and FB Will Ta'ufo'ou (Chicago Bears) were announced by their respective teams on Monday.
Davis impressed the Broncos enough to sign a rookie free agent deal despite missing 18 of 39 possible games (10 starts) over his three seasons at Cal due to injuries. He finished his collegiate career with 40 tackles, 9.0 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks to go with three forced fumbles, three pass break-ups and a blocked kick. He had his best year as a senior when he earned the team's Bob Tessier Award given to Cal's most improved defensive lineman. Davis was healthy enough in his final collegiate season in 2008 to record several career-highs, including games played (9), starts (7), tackles (20), tackles for loss (5.5) and sacks (4.0).
Felder capped off a tremendous four-year career at Cal in 2008 by leading the team with 93 stops and ranking eighth in the Pac-10 with his average of 7.2 tackles per game. He also recorded 5.5 tackles for loss and 0.5 sacks, while forcing a fumble and picking off a pass as a senior to earn honorable mention All-Pac-10 honors and the team's Ken Cotton Award for the most courageous player on defense. Felder's biggest season came in 2007 when he made a career-high 101 tackles (No. 12 Pac-10, 7.8 per game) to go with 3.5 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks, a forced fumble and an interception. He was also named a first-team freshman All-American by Rivals.com in 2005 when he made 39 tackles, including 1.5 tackles for loss and 1.0 sack. Felder's four-year totals at Cal included 251 tackles to rank ninth on the school's all-time list, as well as 10.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, two interceptions and four pass break-ups over 51 games played and 31 starts.
Ta'ufo'ou helped pave the way for some of the best rushers in Cal history during his four seasons as a fullback for the Bears as he helped running backs Jahvid Best (1,580 yards in 2008), Justin Forsett (1,546 yards in 2007) and Marshawn Lynch (1,356 yards in 2006) record the second, third and fifth highest all-time single-season rushing totals for the Bears. He played in 48 games with 14 starts and added 15 rushes of his own for 83 yards, while catching 13 passes for 93 yards and a touchdown. In the classroom, he was an honorable mention Pac-10 All-Academic choice in both his junior and senior seasons. He also won the team's Joe Roth Award as a senior.
Stay tuned to calbears.com over the upcoming days to learn of any more former Cal players signing undrafted NFL rookie free agent contracts.
Posted Apr 4, 2009
Copyright © 2009 BearInsider.com
While the Bears didn't get the dominant quarterback performance that many fans have been waiting for during Saturday's scrimmage, there were a lot of good things to take away; Shane Vereen ran very well in limited action, quarterback Kevin Riley looked outstanding during the teams first drive during extended 11-on-11 play, wide receiver Marvin Jones is showing no ill effects from the knee injury is suffered last fall and cornerback Chris Conte had one of his best practices of the spring looking good both on run support as well as in coverage.
“We did pretty good for the first scrimmage,” said head coach Jeff Tedford. “I saw some good things; we protected the passer well, I thought we were crisp, we didn't have penalties and we didn't have turnovers.”
Shane Vereen had a strong afternoon with seven carries for 63 yards and two touchdowns. On a first-and-10 from the defensive 30, he broke through the line took a hard hit from a defender, shook it off and kept running for the touchdown. Earlier, he took a run that appeared to be hemmed in toward the left side, but turned the corner and accelerated his way to a 22-yard gain.
The Bears looked at Brian Holley, John Tyndall, Will Kapp and Peter Geurts extensively at fullback on Saturday. Each player had moments, with Holley clearing the way for one of Vereen's longer runs. Cal's running in goal line situations has been up and down in recent years, but when Will Kapp cleared the way for a convincing Covaughn Deboskie run up the middle on a 3rd-and-goal from the two, that could portend good things for the future.
Other offensive highlights including Alex Lagemann making a 35-yard catch of a Brock Mansion pass with good coverage from Marc Anthony, Nyan Boateng shaking off a big hit after a short pass from Kevin Riley and finishing off a 10-yard touchdown. Ross Bostock extending his hands to make a catch of low ball from Beau Sweeney that was dying quickly, tailback Langston Jackson showing good acceleration along the sideline for a 25-yard gain when the defensive let up a bit, a good burst from tailback Kevin Lewis getting through the line for a 16-yard gain, and Sweeney executing a bootleg for a 2-yard touchdown.
While the Bears didn't get the dominant quarterback performance that many fans have been waiting for during Saturday's scrimmage, there were a lot of good things to take away; Shane Vereen ran very well in limited action, quarterback Kevin Riley looked outstanding during the teams first drive during extended 11-on-11 play, wide receiver Marvin Jones is showing no ill effects from the knee injury is suffered last fall and cornerback Chris Conte had one of his best practices of the spring looking good both on run support as well as in coverage.
“We did pretty good for the first scrimmage,” said head coach Jeff Tedford. “I saw some good things; we protected the passer well, I thought we were crisp, we didn't have penalties and we didn't have turnovers.”
Shane Vereen had a strong afternoon with seven carries for 63 yards and two touchdowns. On a first-and-10 from the defensive 30, he broke through the line took a hard hit from a defender, shook it off and kept running for the touchdown. Earlier, he took a run that appeared to be hemmed in toward the left side, but turned the corner and accelerated his way to a 22-yard gain.
The Bears looked at Brian Holley, John Tyndall, Will Kapp and Peter Geurts extensively at fullback on Saturday. Each player had moments, with Holley clearing the way for one of Vereen's longer runs. Cal's running in goal line situations has been up and down in recent years, but when Will Kapp cleared the way for a convincing Covaughn Deboskie run up the middle on a 3rd-and-goal from the two, that could portend good things for the future.
Other offensive highlights including Alex Lagemann making a 35-yard catch of a Brock Mansion pass with good coverage from Marc Anthony, Nyan Boateng shaking off a big hit after a short pass from Kevin Riley and finishing off a 10-yard touchdown. Ross Bostock extending his hands to make a catch of low ball from Beau Sweeney that was dying quickly, tailback Langston Jackson showing good acceleration along the sideline for a 25-yard gain when the defensive let up a bit, a good burst from tailback Kevin Lewis getting through the line for a 16-yard gain, and Sweeney executing a bootleg for a 2-yard touchdown.