Cal’s defensive overhaul is already taking shape as the program prepares for the 2026 season. New head coach Tosh Lupoi, together with defensive coordinator Michael Hutchings, is implementing a scheme that mirrors the successful approach he used at Oregon, emphasizing a 2‑5 alignment that blends two down linemen with five defensive backs.
A new defensive identity
The revamped unit is expected to be the cornerstone of a championship‑contending team. Recent national champions such as Michigan, Ohio State and Indiana have shown that elite scoring defense can be the difference between a good season and a title run, and Cal is aiming to join that conversation.
Only one starter from the previous year, outside linebacker Jayden Wayne, is guaranteed a spot, but the roster is crowded with talent. Eight newcomers who transferred into the program are expected to see significant playing time in the season opener against UCLA, each vying for a starting position.
Competing for starting roles
Along the defensive line, Jericho Johnson, Nate Burrell and Derek Wilkins are projected to anchor the front, while inside linebackers Tristan Jernigan and AJ Tuitele are favored to start, with Aaron Hampton and Kamar Mothudi providing strong competition. At outside linebacker, Jayden Wayne and Solomon Williams are set to begin, though Emmanuel Okoye is also in the mix.
The secondary features a locked‑in starter in Ricky Fletcher, while Marquis Groves‑Killebrew and Daniel Harris battle for the other cornerback spot. Kingston Lopa and Aiden Manutai are leading candidates at safety, and Cam Sidney along with Quimari Shemwell are the primary contenders for the nickelback position.
The depth of competition across the unit reflects a broader ambition: to build a defense capable of shutting down high‑powered offenses and sustaining leads in crucial games. With the new scheme, Cal hopes to translate its improved defensive front into the kind of consistency that propelled recent champions to the top of the rankings.