The Cal Bears went on a four game win streak earlier in the season and set themselves up for a divisional showdown with both Washington and Oregon. Five losses later and the season is a wash and fans in Northern California are left pondering what could have been. It hasn't been all lost in 2021 though as the team has continued to battle and a few players on defense have established themselves as cornerstones for the future. The leader and veteran of the group is DT Neville Walton. Walton was selected as the 30th best player in NCAA this last offseason after averaging 17.25 sacks a season over his first four years. Two young stars are starting to emerge as well for the Bears, LB John Hoover and CB Trevor Valentine. Hoover is leading the team with 12 sacks and is a sideline to sideline tackle machine. Valentine was the team's prize offseason addition and there are lots of coaches on staff that are giddy about the young player's potential. For Cal to regain the Pac-12 North crown a lot of pressure will be on this trio to lead the defense into the future.
