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California Football: Golden Bears look to build off strong 2019 season

By Aaron Gershon

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 30: (L-R) California Golden Bears defensive player of the game Zeandae Johnson #44 and offensive player of the game Chase Garbers #7 celebrates after California defeated the Illinois Fighting Illini 35-20 in the RedBox Bowl at Levi's Stadium on December 30, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 30: (L-R) California Golden Bears defensive player of the game Zeandae Johnson #44 and offensive player of the game Chase Garbers #7 celebrates after California defeated the Illinois Fighting Illini 35-20 in the RedBox Bowl at Levi's Stadium on December 30, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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BERKELEY, CA – SEPTEMBER 14: Cameron Goode #19 of the California Golden Bears tackles Rico Bussey Jr. #8 of the North Texas Mean Green for a six yard loss during the first quarter of an NCAA football game at California Memorial Stadium on September 14, 2019 in Berkeley, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
BERKELEY, CA – SEPTEMBER 14: Cameron Goode #19 of the California Golden Bears tackles Rico Bussey Jr. #8 of the North Texas Mean Green for a six yard loss during the first quarter of an NCAA football game at California Memorial Stadium on September 14, 2019 in Berkeley, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

Multiple holes need to be filled on defense

After finishing 65th in the nation in total defense in 2019, California will be faced with a tall task: improve without many of the key starters from last year’s group.

While Cal finished middle of the pack allowing 390.5 yards per game, their defense featured the nation’s leading tackler in Evan Weaver (182 total tackles), defensive back Ashtyn Davis who was drafted in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft by the Jets, Zeandae Johnson who made 3.5 sacks and Jaylinn Hawkins, who made a team-high three interceptions.

In 2020, the Golden Bears will be without all of those players and need some of their returners and younger players to step up in a big way.

The top two returners to watch on the California defense will be Camryn Bynum and Cameron Goode.

Bynum is a redshirt senior defensive back who led the Golden Bears with nine pass breakups last season while recording 63 total tackles and grabbing an interception.

Goode was one of the Pac-12’s top pass rushers in 2019 leading Cal with 9.5 sacks and 14.5 tackles for loss and a forced fumble.

Other names to watch include inside linebacker and former JUCO transfer Kuony Deng who made 119 total tackles with eight pass breakups last season, and rising sophomore nose tackle Brett Johnson who played in all 13 games as a true freshman in 2019 and recorded 3.5 tackles for loss.

While there is a lot of work to do for defensive coordinator Tim DeRuyter there is still talent to work with as Cal looks to slow down opposing offenses.

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