Cal is new to the ACC and the conference's long-time fans may not be all that familiar with the West Coast school's history.
The Golden Bears' move to a predominantly East Coast conference was part of the NCAA's rapid realignment after the mass exodus of Pac-12 schools. As a result, Cal and Stanford ended up in the ACC, ready to spark new rivalries with unlikely foes.
Cal opened its ACC schedule with a 14-9 loss to Florida State and the next stop doesn't get any easier. The Golden Bears are set to take on No. 8 Miami in Berkeley for a Friday night game on ESPN.
As you settle in to watch Cal go up against a perennial ACC powerhouse, take a look at the active and former Golden Bear players who have reached the NFL level.
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Active Cal players in the NFL
In the 2024 NFL season, there are 17 active Golden Bears across 53-man rosters, practice squads and injured reserve lists. Cal doesn't rank in the top-25 for schools represented by the most players in the NFL, but they are in the top 50, according to Spotrac.
Jets star quarterback Rodgers headlines that group as arguably the greatest Cal player in NFL history. The four-time MVP and one-time Super Bowl champion is only rivaled by Hall of Fame tight end Tony Gonzalez in that regard.
Lions star quarterback Jared Goff was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft out of Cal. Bears star wide receiver Keenan Allen has carved out a long NFL career after his time as a Golden Bear.
Saints veteran defensive end Cameron Jordan also deserves a shoutout as a one-time First Team All-Pro, eight-time Pro Bowler and a 13-year career as a starter.
| Player | Team | Position | Roster status |
| Keenan Allen | Bears | WR | 53-man roster |
| Bryan Anger | Cowboys | P | 53-man roster |
| Camryn Bynum | Vikings | S | 53-man roster |
| Jake Curhan | Bears | OT | Practice squad |
| Ashtyn Davis | Jets | S | 53-man roster |
| Jared Goff | Lions | QB | 53-man roster |
| Cameron Goode | Dolphins | LB | Injured Reserve |
| Jaylinn Hawkins | Patriots | S | 53-man roster |
| Elijah Hicks | Bears | S | 53-man roster |
| Cameron Jordan | Saints | DE | 53-man roster |
| Jordan Kunaszyk | Vikings | LB | Injured Reserve |
| Patrick Mekari | Ravens | OL | 53-man roster |
| Patrick McMorris | Dolphins | S | Injured Reserve |
| Aaron Rodgers | Jets | QB | 53-man roster |
| Daniel Scott | Colts | Safety | Injured Reserve |
| Jackson Sirmon | Jets | LB | Practice squad |
| Jake Tonges | 49ers | TE | 53-man roster |
MORE: Ranking all 134 college football teams, from Alabama to Kennesaw State
Former notable Cal alumni in the NFL
Gonzalez was already mentioned above, contesting Rodgers as the greatest Cal NFL player ever. The Golden Bears have also produced recent Pro Bowlers including running back Lynch, center Alex Mack, defensive back Nnamdi Asomugha and wide receiver DeSean Jackson.
Lynch and Jackson are two of the more well-known Cal products given their personalities and play styles.
The viral video of Lynch driving the injury cart on the field after a Cal win still makes its rounds to this day. Jackson's burning speed made for an electrifying college highlight reel.
October 21, 2006: Cal’s Marshawn Lynch (@MoneyLynch) takes the injury cart for a ride across the field after the Golden Bears defeat Washington 31-24 in overtime. pic.twitter.com/Sslij1yvrL
— This Day In Sports Clips (@TDISportsClips) October 21, 2020
| Player | Position |
| C.J. Anderson | RB |
| Steve Bartkowki | QB |
| Andre Carter | DE |
| Chris Conte | S |
| Herm Edwards | CB/Head coach |
| Tony Gonzalez | TE |
| DeSean Jackson | WR |
| Marvin Jones | WR |
| Marshawn Lynch | RB |
| Ron Rivera | LB/Head coach |
| Mitchell Schwartz | OL |
| Shane Vereen | RB |
