Running back set to transfer
Tailback Tre Watson announced on social media Friday that he will transfer from Cal, further thinning out a position group once considered among the Bears’ strengths.
The departure comes in an offseason that includes the graduation of Vic Enwere and the transfers of Zion Echols and Billy McCrary III, leaving Cal with only one experienced back (Derrick Clark, 14 carries) behind starter Patrick Laird.
The depth chart stands to include soon-to-be redshirt freshman Biaggio Ali Walsh and incoming freshmen Johnny Adams Jr. and Christopher Brown Jr.
Laird ran for 1,127 yards and eight touchdowns and caught 45 passes for 322 yards and a score, emerging after Watson’s season-ending right knee injury in the season’s second week.
Watson was expected to post similar numbers in offensive coordinator Beau Baldwin’s “multiple” scheme and entered the season as a candidate for the Doak Walker Award (nation’s best running back) and Paul Hornung Award (nation’s most versatile player).
After entering the season as Cal’s active leader in career total yards (2,400), rushing yards (1,359) and kickreturn yards (657), Watson managed only 83 rushing yards and 31 receiving yards before being injured.
Having secured a degree in sociology, Watson will be eligible to play immediately as a graduate transfer. His post on Twitter said he will open the recruiting process right away.