The defensive line lost Tyson Alualu to the NFL draft, however there is still more than enough talent on the defensive line for it to be considered a strength on the defense. Cameron Jordan will start on one end. Jordan was listed in Ted Miller's top 25 players in the pac-10 in this coming season. Jordan is very talented and had a big spring. He is different from Alualu who was more of a run stopping end than a pass rushing end. Jordan is more of a pass rushing end, but has the ability to stop the run. Cal is counting on consistency from Jordan this year, not only to replace Alualu but to also give Cal a consistent pass rush from the end position.
At the other end position the Bears are hoping that Ernest Owusu will step up this season after showing promise early in the season in 2009. Owusu has shown flashes of brilliance with 2 sacks in the opener against Maryland, but disappeared at times last year and failed to make the impact that many hoped he would. Signs from spring are promising as Owusu had a very good spring and looks ready to become a consistent contributor.
At nose tackle, Cal has senior Derrick Hill returning. Hill had a pretty good year last year and provides experience at the position. Hill also had a good spring. Kendrick Payne will push Hill for the starting position and at the very least will share playing time with Hill. Payne had a huge spring, perhaps the biggest spring of all the Cal players and will be in the mix this season.
Providing depth at the end positions will be sophomore Aaron Tipoti who started 4 games last season and played in all 12 games. DeAndre Coleman who came in as a 4 star recruit redshirted last season can play nose tackle and end. Keni Kaufisi will also provide depth at both positions.
The wild card in all of this will be incoming freshman Gabe King. King is a very athletic end and has drawn comparisons to a young Reggie White. He was injured all of last season in high school and likely would have been rated even higher than his 4 star status had it not been for that injury. He seems ready to go now and has looked very good in various high school camps and all-star games. I have watched film on King, he has very good speed for someone his size 6'5, 240 lbs. He was actually able to cover some wide receivers in a coverage drill at one of the camps. King will have to learn the nuances of the position but certainly has the physical ability to contribute right away.
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