Cal Football has nine players named to the East-West Shrine Bowl watch list for 2025.
Being named to the East-West Shrine Bowl top 1000 watch list is a huge honor for any college football player. The oldest college football all-star game allows athletes to showcase their play and skills in front of NFL personnel. Playing in this game is key for players trying to get drafted. Obviously, 1000 players won’t be participating in this game, but they released a top 1000 watch list for players to look for. Here are the nine Cal football players mentioned on the East-West Shrine Bowl watch list.
Craig Woodson, Safety
Craig Woodson enters his final season with Cal as the team’s starting safety. He was the leader of the secondary last season on a defense that didn’t play well for the most part. Woodson is as reliable as they come, playing in every game the past two seasons.
He hasn’t forced too many turnovers, but he’s not afraid to come up and make a tackle. Woodson had a career-high in tackles last season with 81. Cal will rely on Woodson to be one of their strengths on their football team this season.
Corey Dyches, Tight End
One of the biggest transfer portal signees for Justin Wilcox was Corey Dyches from Maryland. At 6 feet 2 inches and 220 pounds, the tight end transfers to Cal for his senior season after having an impressive career thus far at Maryland.
Dyches was named as third-team All Big-Ten following his junior season where he finished with 49 receptions and 494 yards. He will platoon the tight end position with Jack Endries, but Dyches has a real chance to make a name for himself on this offense with his abilities. Look for whoever starts at quarterback to try and get him the ball early and often.
Nohl Williams, Cornerback
The starting cornerback enters his second season with Cal after transferring from UNLV following the 2022 season. Playing corner is tough in college, but Nohl Williams has that ballhawk mentality this defense needs. His two interceptions last season were tied for the team-high and like the aforementioned Woodson, played in every game last season. If he continues to force turnovers and create pass deflections, Cal football could have a lockdown corner on their hands.
Xavier Carlton, Outside Linebacker
Getting pressure on the quarterback was a tough task for the Golden Bears defense as a whole last season. One player that didn’t have that problem was Xavier Carlton. The Modesto native followed in his father’s footsteps playing at Utah for a couple of seasons before transferring to Cal ahead of the 2022 season.
Last season, Carlton recorded 4.5 sacks while tacking on 47 tackles. He didn’t have as many pressures as you would like to see, but if the senior can generate more pressure, getting to the quarterback shouldn’t be a problem. Hopefully, we see Carlton take that next step and help elevate the pass rush as a whole for this defense.
David Reese, Outside Linebacker
David Reese enters this season as Cal’s only seventh-year player. He came onto the scene late last season when he heard his name called. Over his last four games, Reese contributed 5.5 sacks for the defense. He was a true force to be reckoned with in the trenches and solidified his role on this defense with his play last season. Reese has a major advantage going up against offensive linemen with his experience and should help generate consistent pressure on the quarterback this season.
Rush Reimer, Offensive Line
Rush Reimer is the exact type of player you want on your offensive line. The Washington native has played for Montana State the past three seasons after redshirting his freshman year. He brings with him much-needed versatility after playing guard and tackle at the collegiate level.
At 6 feet 5 inches and 305 pounds, Mike Bloesch can plug the first-team All-Big Sky tackle in immediately. It’s unsure of where he will play to begin with, but his experience at both positions is huge for this offense. Winning up front in the trenches is what this offense needs and Reimer will be a big part of it this season.
Teddye Buchanan, Inside Linebacker
Teddye Buchanan transfers to Cal this season after playing for U.C. Davis. The inside linebacker brings speed, toughness, and tenacity to go after the football. He was all over the field last season for the Aggies where he had a team-high in tackles with 71, and was voted to the All-Big Sky second team.
What impresses most about Buchanan is his ability to be a big help in the passing game. The linebacker was fifth in the Big Sky Conference in interceptions per game while leading his defense to a team-high three interceptions. The talent in the FCS compared to the FBS can be drastic, but Buchanan is one player that may not have any problems making his presence felt.
Marcus Harris, Cornerback
If you haven’t noticed a theme by now, well Cal likes transfers from small schools that performed at a high level. That brings us to Marcus Harris, a transfer from Idaho. It surprises me that Harris chose to sign with Cal in the transfer portal after having a ton of interest from schools like Wisconsin, Penn State, Louisville, and Vanderbilt, but this defense is happy he’s here.
Harris is a true ballhawk. In fact, he has the record for passes defended for Idaho with 36 total. The lockdown corner looks to continue his impressive career now that he’s with an FBS school and show why he can play at this level.
Chandler Rogers. Quarterback
As mentioned previously before, Cal has an open quarterback competition this fall. One of those competitors is quarterback Chandler Rogers, a transfer from North Texas. Depending on how things shake out, Rogers could be the full-time starting quarterback this season.
In an interview with The League Winners, Rogers explained how he’s preparing for the competition, “Mentally just continuing to watch film, always drawing up plays, just making sure that I’m prepared mentally so when I go out there and practice I perform at a high level. And just worrying about myself, worry about what I need to do.” If it is indeed Rogers as the starting quarterback, I expect him to throw the ball around the yard with ease and move this offense downfield at will.
Cody Henderson
I root for teams that only let me down. Talking all things Las Vegas Raiders and Cal Bears football. Follow me on X where I post my dramatic takes.