One thing stands out when looking at the California defense for the upcoming season: the Bears are going to miss nose tackle DeAndre Coleman, now a Jacksonville Jaguar, holding the inside gaps. Coleman was the anchor of the defense, which was the reason Cal fans didn’t see many runs going past his gap. He was the bright spot on a truly disappointing 1-11 team. Although the Bears seem to have gotten younger and improved at several positions compared to last season, that important middle spot is very much in doubt.
The rest of the Bears’ defensive front is in flux this year as well. Who the starters will be is unclear, and given the changes in personnel and a change of coordinator, a switch to a 4-3 defense is not out of the question. Senior DT Mustafa Jalil hopes to be back soon from his knee injury and Jacobi Hunter is taking time away from the team for personal reasons, according to the April 18, 2014 San Jose Mercury News. Head coach Sonny Dykes told the Mercury News he was unsure if or when Hunter would rejoin the team. Other possible solutions up front include the undersized senior Austin Clark, former TE transfer from American River College Harrison Wilfley (who is HUGE, standing 6’5″ and weighing in at 265), sophomore Marcus Manley, or freshman Tony Mekari. If Jalil, a former top-10 national recruit, is healthy, expect him to be one of the starters.
The defensive front struggled mightily in the spring game without Jalil and Hunter. The Bears will have to come up with a solution by the end of August, or the loss of DeAndre Coleman will be one that will hurt Cal’s chances of doing anything in 2014.
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