The return of offensive coordinator Jake Spavital in 2023 saw the Bears’ offense achieve Top 50 status for the first time since his last one-year stint at Cal with a big assist to offensive line coach/run game coordinator Mike Bloesch and tight ends coach Tim Plough. Moving forward, Spavital took over the OC role at Baylor and ditto Bloesch at Cal. Plough moved on to take a head coach role at his alma mater, UC Davis.

Quarterback

RS frosh QB Fernando Mendoza - The surprise statistical leader at QB came into the season as the third-string QB after solid performances in spring ball and fall camp but eventually took over as starter in game six vs. Oregon Stats. Initial starter Sam Jackson disappointed with a 52.6% completion percentage with just 5.7 yards per catch and 5 TDs with 2 interceptions before bowing out to injury for the season. NC State portal transfer QB had some initial success in Cal’s season-opening win over North Texas but stumbled badly in subsequent games, particularly in Cal’s lopsided loss to Washington. Overall, Finley completed 57.4% of his passes for 6.1 yards per catch and 3 TDs with 4 interceptions before Mendoza took over. The new starter had a solid season, completing 24315363.017287.11410 153-of-243 passes (63%) for 1,728 yards for 7.1 yards per attempt and 14 TDs with 10 interceptions and QBR of 133 - a Top 20 Cal QB statistical season (see here for the Top 10 Cal statistical RB seasons). Mendoza finished 7^th in a strong QB conference in completion percentage and 8^th in yards per completion and QB rating.

Running Back

Soph RB Jaydn Ott - The super soph led the Pac-12 in rushing this season, rushing for 1,314 yards in 246 carries (5.34 yards per carry) and 12 TDs this season, earning honorable mention All-American honors from some outlets. Ott also added 25 catches for 169 yards and 2 more TDs. sixth-year super senior Isaiah Ifanse gave the Bears a big spark early in the season before he was lost to a foot injury, grinding out the tough yards and breaking tackles on his way to 365 yards and 7 TD on the ground and 1 TD through the air in 8 games. Ott finished second in the conference with his 12 rushing TDs and Ifanse finished 11^th in just a little over half a season with his 7. Ott’s 2023 season was arguably Cal’s sixth-best of all time for the Bears with his 14 total TDs and 1,483 total yards (see here for the Top 10 Cal statistical RB seasons).

Wide Receiver

Redshirt senior Jeremiah Hunter led the Bears with 63 catches for 763 yards and 7 TDs, finishing 9^th in the conference in catches, 10^th in TDs and 11^th in total yards. Redshirt frosh WR Trond Grizzell followed up a strong spring and fall with a strong first season for the Bears, finishing tied for 15^th with 5 TDs, 2^nd in total yards with 590 yards and 27^th in catches with 39. He was tied in total catches with redshirt junior WR Taj Davis, who has likely departed the team. Davis added 399 yards and 3 TDs on the season.

Tight End 

Redshirt frosh tight end Jack Endries added several postseason honors and led the Bears’ tight ends with 35 catches for 407 yards and 2 TDs. He was also 3^rd on the team in total yards and yards per catch with 11.63 ypc. Endries finished 2^nd among tight ends in total yards and 3^rd in TE catches for the season. Among the Cal tight ends, only redshirt junior Asher Alberding had a single reception.