A prolific rushing attack allows an offense to more effectively utilize the pass and causes defenses to break coverage. With the California Golden Bears facing deep turnover at the running back position this offseason, it remains to be seen who will step up and provide the running ability needed to give the Bears an edge. However, Dean Taylor-Chapman is one of the running backs who will be competing for the starting spot along with Jayden Parker and Jamaal Wiley – and could carve out a significant role in the team’s offense this year.
Cal Football: Who is Dean Taylor-Chapman?
Dean Taylor-Chapman is a redshirt-sophomore from San Leandro. During his senior year at Moreau Catholic, he ran for 1,566 yards with 15 rushing touchdowns. In the air, Taylor-Chapman totaled 136 yards receiving with 2 touchdowns.
Taylor-Chapman was named First-Team All-League running back in the 2022 season. Also a track runner in high school, he is best known for his speed and ability to find separation and get into the end zone.
The son of Lindsey Chapman, a California Golden Bear from 1991-93, Taylor-Chapman finds great inspiration and motivation from his father’s experience and legacy. Lindsey played 34 games for the Bears, rushing for 2076 yards and 22 touchdowns across 415 career carries.
Chapman’s teams combined for a 23-13 record, including a 10-2 1991 season with an AP No. 8 finish and victory over Clemson in the Citrus Bowl. It also includes a 9-4 1993 season with an AP No. 25 finish and victory over Iowa in the Alamo Bowl.
Having spent two years in the NFL before bowing out due to a knee injury, Taylor-Chapman highly values his father’s professional experience and mentorship. However, sometimes he wishes his father would stop pausing the games they watch together on weekends to teach technique.
Developing the Next Big Talent
Running back coach Julian Griffin is excited to develop the next iteration of Cal running back talent. Griffin joins the Bears as a new acquisition by head coach Justin Wilcox this year. He succeeds running back coach Aristotle Thompsom, who was hired away by Northwestern this February.
He previously coached running backs under Jeff Traylor at UTSA and has developed NFL talent Sincere McCormick. The Roadrunners boasted a potent running attack during his tenure, averaging 2408.4 yards per season from 2020-2024.
A wide receiver during his college playing career, coach Griffin offers a unique perspective in the running back room. Yet, Griffin’s experience has helped him to succeed at developing talented backs.
While losing Thompson and his experience at developing running backs may hurt Cal, Griffin has the potential to step into that role without missing a beat. Coach Griffin fills a similar niche as a strong developmental coach who “know[s] how to treat people and players.”
It will be interesting to see whether coach Griffin can emulate his success at the P4 level in terms of production. If he can meet his previous average while developing key talent, the running back room has a chance to put up numbers they haven’t seen in 15 years.
Where Does Dean Taylor-Chapman Fit?
It is impossible to say whether Dean Taylor-Chapman will earn the starting running back position for Cal this season. Coach Wilcox can be slow when it comes to naming his starter. And, Cal has multiple players at the position with the potential to get a starting shot.
Yet, what’s important is that the room plays well as a unit. The running back position is a very physically demanding position. Cal’s running back room has half the depth that it had last year, and could be asked to be leaned on more.
With that in mind, a successful season would see Taylor-Chapman playing meaningful snaps. Whether that’s in a rotation or as the lead player remains to be seen. However, if the running backs can have success, so can Cal this season.
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