Nine former California Golden Bears football players are currently part of NFL teams that lead their divisions after 13 weeks of the 2025 season. Six of these players are on active rosters, while two serve as coaches and one is on injured reserve.
Jaylinn Hawkins and Craig Woodson, both starting safeties for New England, play key roles for the Patriots, who have an 11-2 record and top the AFC East. Other former Cal athletes contributing to division leaders include Baltimore inside linebacker Teddye Buchanan (co-AFC North), Chicago defensive back Elijah Hicks (NFC North), Jacksonville offensive lineman Patrick Mekari (co-AFC South), and Pittsburgh quarterback Aaron Rodgers (co-AFC North).
In addition to the players, Matt Giordano serves as Assistant Defensive Backs And Safeties Coach for Chicago, while Davis Webb is Denver’s Offensive Pass Game Coordinator/Quarterbacks coach. Both are with teams leading their respective divisions in the NFC North and AFC West. Safety Daniel Scott is on injured reserve with Indianapolis.
A total of 25 former Golden Bears are associated with NFL organizations: 19 on active rosters, one on injured reserve, one on a practice squad, and four as members of coaching staffs.
Keenan Allen continues his productive career with the Los Angeles Chargers. In his 13th NFL season, Allen has set several milestones in 2025, including becoming the fastest player to reach 1,000 career receptions during a Week 5 game against Washington and becoming the all-time leading receiver in Chargers’ history during a Week 10 win over Pittsburgh.
Other notable performances include Bryan Anger’s consistent punting for Dallas; Chris Brooks’ contributions for Green Bay; Camryn Bynum’s defensive impact for Indianapolis; Jake Curhan’s first start this season for Carolina; Ashtyn Davis starting at safety for Miami; Jared Goff ranking among league leaders in completion percentage and touchdown passes for Detroit; Cameron Goode’s special teams work in Miami; Marcus Harris starting at cornerback for Tennessee; Elijah Hicks’ special teams role in Chicago; Cameron Jordan passing Drew Brees as New Orleans’ all-time leader in games played and started; Nikko Remigio leading Kansas City in return yards; Jake Tonges catching four touchdowns as tight end for San Francisco; Nohl Williams playing significant snaps as a rookie cornerback in Kansas City.
The list also includes Jackson Sirmon on the New York Jets practice squad and coaching staff members Austin Clark (Miami), Bryon Storer (Green Bay), along with Giordano and Webb.
“New England starting safeties Jaylinn Hawkins and Craig Woodson lead the way among six players on active rosters with an 11-2 New England squad that is on top of the AFC East. Other players on active rosters of division leaders include Baltimore ILB Teddye Buchanan (co-AFC North), Chicago DB Elijah Hicks (NFC North), Jacksonville OL Patrick Mekari (co-AFC South) and Pittsburgh QB Aaron Rodgers (co-AFC North).”
“Cal also has a pair of coaches – Matt Giordano (Chicago Assistant Defensive Backs And Safeties) and Davis Webb (Denver Offensive Pass Game Coordinator/Quarterbacks) – on teams on top of the NFC North and AFC West, respectively while S Daniel Scott is on the Indianapolis injured reserve.”
“A total of 25 former Golden Bears are currently affiliated with NFL teams, including 19 on active rosters one on injured reserve and one on a practice squad, as well as four members of coaching staffs.”
Players continue to make impacts across various roles—on offense, defense, special teams or coaching—demonstrating Cal football’s ongoing presence throughout professional football.
