While the Cal Golden Bears haven’t enjoyed much success on the football field in recent years, plenty of the team’s alumni have had success in the NFL. Aaron Rodgers and Marshawn Lynch headline an impressive list of NFL superstars that played for Cal.
How Many Cal Players Made It Into The NFL?
Throughout NFL history, 262 former Golden Bears have played in the NFL, according to Pro Football Reference. The prestigious group includes multiple Hall of Fame players, MVPs, and even former players that became successful head coaches in the NFL.
Here is a list of the notable Cal Golden Bears that made it into the NFL:
- Tony Gonzalez, TE
- Aaron Rodgers, QB
- Cameron Jordan, DE
- Les Richter, LB
- Alex Mack, C
- Keenan Allen, WR
- Marshawn Lynch, RB
- Hardy Nickerson, LB
- Ken Harvey, LB
- Isaac Curtis, WR
- Ed White, OL
- Perry Schwartz, TE
- Jared Goff, QB
- DeSean Jackson, WR
- Nnamdi Asomugha, CB
- Tarik Glenn, OL
- Chuck Muncie, RB
- Lee Artoe, OL
- Bryan Anger, P
- Wesley Walker, WR
Tony Gonzalez, TE
Tony Gonzalez is one of two former Cal Golden Bears who was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Gonzalez is considered one of, if not, the greatest tight end in NFL history. Gonzalez played both basketball and football at Cal before eventually being selected by the Kansas City Chiefs in the first round of the 1997 NFL Draft.
Cameron Jordan, DE
Similar to Gonzalez and Rodgers, Cam Jordan was also a first-round pick in the NFL Draft. Jordan was selected 24th overall by the New Orleans Saints in the 2011 NFL Draft and hasn’t disappointed. Jordan has recorded 117.5 sacks in his career, ranking 32nd all-time in NFL history.
Les Richter, LB
Aside from Gonzalez, Les Richter is the only other former Cal Golden Bear who is in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The Los Angeles Rams selected Richter with the second-overall pick in the 1952 NFL Draft. The Hall of Fame linebacker lived up to his lofty selection as a seven-time All-Pro who also made eight trips to the Pro Bowl.
Keenan Allen, WR
Keenan Allen holds the school’s all-time record with 205 career receptions during his time at Cal. Allen carried that success over to the NFL, where he continues to dominate as one of the smoother wide receivers in the league today. Allen is ranked 46th in NFL history with 10,578 career receiving yards and 26th in NFL history with 911 career receptions.
Jared Goff, QB
Before finding success with the Detroit Lions in the NFL, Goff put together the greatest quarterback career in school history. Goff is clearly the school’s all-time leader in passing yards (12,200) and passing touchdowns (96) by a wide margin. His elite level of play earned him the honor of being the first overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft.
DeSean Jackson, WR
DeSean Jackson was one of the most electrifying players in Cal history, as he was a threat to score nearly every time he touched the football. Jackson ranks fifth all-time in school history with 2,423 receiving yards. He is also fourth all-time in school history with 22 receiving touchdowns as well.
Aaron Rodgers’ Cal College Career
Prior to becoming the face of the NFL for several years, Aaron Rodgers started at quarterback for the Cal Golden Bears. He didn’t initially receive a scholarship offer from Cal, as Rodgers was forced to play one season for Butte College in Oroville, California.
Rodgers arrived at Cal in 2003 and initially split time at quarterback with Reggie Robertson for the team’s first four games. Rodgers was named Cal’s starting quarterback ahead of a matchup with Utah and their star quarterback, Alex Smith, who Rodgers would eventually be linked to forever.
MORE: Greatest QBs of All-Time
In his first 10 games as a starter, Rodgers led Cal to a 7-3 record. In his second start for the Golden Bears, Rodgers surprisingly led Cal to a 21-7 halftime lead over No. 3 ranked USC. While Rodgers was forced to leave the game due to an injury, the Golden Bears eventually won in triple overtime.
In 2004, Rodgers was the team’s full-time starter and led Cal to a 10-1 record and No. 5 national ranking. Rodgers finished the season with 2,566 passing yards, 24 passing touchdowns, and just eight interceptions.
Rodgers then opted to forgo his senior season and enter the 2005 NFL Draft. Which is where his career-long attachment to Smith would begin as Rodgers awkwardly waited in the green room for his name to be called.
Smith and Rodgers recently reunited to sit down for an interview on ESPN to discuss their career-defining injuries in the NFL, overcoming adversity, and more.
Aaron Rodgers talks return from injury and more with Alex Smith ahead of his return to the Jets on MNF 🏈✈️@AaronRodgers12 | @nyjets pic.twitter.com/dDZTmSvevD
— ESPN (@espn) September 9, 2024
Before Beastmode: Marshawn Lynch at Cal, Golfcarts, and More
Before making headlines in the NFL, Marshawn Lynch was a dominant force at running back for the Cal Golden Bears. As an Oakland, California native, Lynch opted to stay close to home despite being the No. 2 ranked running back in the nation behind Adrian Peterson.
During his freshman season in 2004, Lynch served as the backup running back behind J.J. Arrington. Despite being in a reserve role, Lynch showcased his potential with 628 rushing yards and averaging an absurd 8.8 yards per rushing attempt.
In 2005, Lynch received his opportunity to be Cal’s full-time starter and ran away with it, both figuratively and literally. Lynch became one of the best running backs in the nation, as he recorded 1,246 rushing yards and 10 rushing touchdowns.
He capped off the season with an epic performance in the 2005 Las Vegas Bowl. Lynch recorded 194 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns against BYU, on his way to earning the game’s MVP award.
MORE: Try PFN’s FREE Mock Draft Simulator Today!
In 2006, Lynch continued to dominate in what would be his final season for the Golden Bears. Lynch was named the Pac-10 Offensive Player of the Year for his impressive performance, as he led the conference with 1,356 rushing yards, while also scoring 15 total touchdowns.
Despite all of Lynch’s success on the field at Cal, his most memorable moment may have been after a game. After scoring a game-winning rushing touchdown in overtime against Washington, Lynch famously began driving one of the school’s injury carts around the field.
It was a moment that perfectly encapsulated how unique of a player Lynch was at Cal, while also highlighting how his unique personality would take him to new heights at the next level as well.
Lynch discussed his infamous injury cart riding experience at Cal with Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning on an episode of “Peyton’s Places” on ESPN+.
Marshawn Lynch explains his infamous cart drive at Cal 😂😂😂pic.twitter.com/sJCDdCR3hF
— luh supper ✭ (@All_Cake88) May 22, 2021
