Cal Football: It's Wide Open at Wide Receiver as Bears Enter Spring Practice

Trond Grizzell, now on scholarship, is the only returning wideout who enjoyed a productive 2023 season.

Cal’s spring football roster shows 14 wide receivers, including walk-ons. But just two of them — Trond Grizzell and Mavin Anderson — caught even a single pass for the Bears last fall.

So yes, the process of figuring out who will move into prominent roles at those positions in 2024 will be significant as spring practice begins on Monday.

“I’m anxious to see that room take shape,” Cal coach Justin Wilcox said. “They’re all going to get a lot of opportunities in spring.”

The Bears lost four starters or key backup players at wide receiver from a year ago. Taj Davis (39 receptions, 399 yards, 3 TDs), Monroe Young (19-208-1) and Brian Hightower (10-101-0) were out of eligibility.

Junior Jeremiah Hunter (63-731-7) was a big loss, transferring to Washington.

Clearly, the Bears need players to emerge this spring at those positions.

“I’m excited who shows up and makes contested catches, who can help us create some explosive plays,” Wilcox said. “I also think there’s a couple young guys on the roster last year who’ve had good off-seasons, but ultimately the practice and the games will tell the story.”

Let’s meet the primary contenders for 2024:

RETURNEES

— Trond Grizzell: The 6-foot-4, 205-pound redshirt junior, a walk-on last season, has been put on scholarship after a breakout season. He had 39 receptions for 590 yards and five touchdowns — including seven catches for 136 yards and two TDs vs. Stanford— as one of the team's most-improved players.

— Mavin Anderson: A 6-foot 200-pound redshirt junior, Anderson put up promising numbers in 2022, catching 37 passes for 372 yards with three touchdowns. He seemed to fall out of favor last year, with just eight receptions for 87 yards and no TDs. Can he regain a significant role?

— Mason Starling: Starling arrived from junior college in 2022 and caught seven passes for 70 yards in limited action. At 6-4 with the ability to be a factor in the red zone, he missed all of last season after being hurt in August. “(He) was really having a strong fall camp last year until he got injured,” said Wilcox, who indicated Starling will be limited early in spring but should get more and more work as camp progresses.

— Nyziah Hunter: A four-star prospect according to 247Sports Composite a year ago, the 6-foot-2, 210-pounder from Salinas did not play as a true freshman. “He’s going to get a ton of opportunities — he does have some physical tools. He’s strong and he’s got good size and he runs pretty well,” Wilcox said. “He’s a guy that I'm anxious to see.”

Mike Matthews hauls in a pass for Utah vs. Baylor / Photo by Raymond Carlin III

NEWCOMERS

— Tobias Merriweather: The Bears have high hopes for the 6-5, 195-pound junior transfer from Notre Dame. Originally a four-star prospect out of Camas, Washington, he caught 14 passes for 284 yards and two TDs for the Irish last season. “Tobias is really tall and long, got good speed,” Wilcox said.

— Jonathan Brady: A 5-10, 180-pound junior, Brady caught 39 passes for 621 yards and four TDs at New Mexico State last fall, while also rushing for a score. He was originally a three-star recruit out of Las Vegas prep powerhouse Bishop Gorman.

— Mikey Matthews: Projected as a slot receiver, the 5-9, 180-pound sophomore caught 29 passes for 261 yards and no TDs last season while starting six games at Utah. “I think he also has the potential to help us in the return game,” Wilcox said.

— Josiah Martin: Remains to be seen if the 5-11, 170-pounder from Corinth, Texas — a consensus 3-star recruit —can carve out a niche as a freshman.

Among others on the roster are three redshirt sophomores who have yet to catch a pass in a game: Jordan King, Marquez Dortch and Jaiven Plummer. The Bears also added former East Bay prep standout Cole Boscia, a 6-3, 210-pound redshirt sophomore walk-on transfer from Colorado.

“That whole room is going to be very competitive,” Wilcox said. “We just want to see where it develops and make sure everybody takes a step forward this spring and as we go through summer and into fall. That’s what we need to see each and every week.”

Cover photo of Cal receiver Trond Grizzell getting congratulations from Justin Wilcox by Darren Yamashita, USA Today

Follow Jeff Faraudo of Cal Sports Report on Twitter: @jefffaraudo