Former Duck to Miss 2023 Season Following Transfer

Byron Cardwell transferred from Oregon to Cal following the 2022 season and won't lace up for 2023.

Byron Cardwell was ready for a new opportunity. 

Following his redshirt freshman season with the Ducks in 2022, the bruising running back announced his transfer to Cal, hoping to carve out a larger role alongside promising ballcarrier Jaydn Ott.

On Wednesday, head coach Justin Wilcox announced that Cardwell will miss the entire 2022 season after suffering an injury. 

Per Cal HC Justin Wilcox, RB Byron Cardwell, DB Colin Gamble and LB Sam Ross will miss the season with injuries. RB Justin Williams-Thomas is day to day.

— Jim McGill (@BearInsider_com) August 3, 2023

Cardwell spent two seasons with the Ducks after signing with the team in the class of 2021 out of San Diego (Calif.) Morse High School. He recorded 72 carries for 493 total rushing yards and four touchdowns across his two seasons, also catching 8 passes for 37 yards and a touchdown. 

Many Duck fans thought he was in line for a starting role in the 2022 season, but transfers Bucky Irving and Noah Whittington ended up being the stars of Oregon's ground attack and Cardwell would eventually go on to redshirt. 

He was a nice addition for a Cal offense that has struggled in recent years but found new life on the ground with the pickup of a now sophomore Ott last year, who starred for the Golden Bears and ran for 897 yards and 8 touchdowns as a true freshman. 

2023 still looks like it could be a promising season for Cal, who finished 2-7 last year, after adding players like quarterback Sam Jackson V from TCU and wide receiver Taj Davis from conference foe Washington. 

Oregon is scheduled to face California on Saturday November 4 in Eugene at Autzen Stadium.