After serving as a rock in the Bears’ defensive line for the last three seasons, sixth-year senior Luc Bequette has entered the transfer portal.

Bequette is one of several Cal football players who were granted a sixth year of eligibility during the offseason, but the lineman may spend that year elsewhere. He is the first Cal player to enter the transfer portal this summer, but he may not be the last. 

The uncertainty surrounding the postponement of the Pac-12 season to spring has forced many seniors to reconsider their future. An injury in a later season could hurt a prospect’s ability to appear at the NFL combine or get selected in the NFL draft. The SEC, ACC and Big 12 are, as of now, set to have their seasons in the fall.

That certainty is appealing for reasons beyond avoiding injury — a quality senior season could raise a player’s draft stock. Bequette is considered a late-round NFL draft prospect and could benefit tremendously from a productive final year. Such considerations could have played a role in his entrance into the transfer portal.

While entrance into the portal is by no means a commitment to transferring, any team would be lucky to land the 6’2” defender. In his four seasons and 42 games in blue and gold, Bequette tallied 130 tackles, 10 sacks and four forced fumbles. He, along with fellow senior Zeandae Johnson, was set to be a centerpiece of the Bears’ vaunted defense in 2020. Should Bequette transfer, his presence will likely be missed by players and the Memorial Stadium faithful alike.