2018 California Golden Bears football team

The 2018 California Golden Bears football team represented the University of California, Berkeley in the 2018 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Bears were led by second-year head coach Justin Wilcox and played their home games at California Memorial Stadium. UC Berkeley was a member of the Pac-12 Conference in the North Division. They finished the season 7–6, 4–5 in Pac-12 play to finish in 5th place in the North Division. They were invited to participate in the Cheez-it Bowl, where they lost to TCU.

Previous season
First-year head coach Justin Wilcox was hired in January 2017, following the dismissal of Sonny Dykes. Wilcox led the Golden Bears to a record of 5–7 (2–7 Pac-12) in 2017 to finish in fifth place in the North Division. In a season highlight, the Bears beat No. 8-ranked Washington State by a margin of 37–3.

On December 5, 2017, defensive line coach Jerry Azzinaro left the Golden Bears after one season to become the new defensive coordinator for the UCLA Bruins under Chip Kelly.

NFL Draft Selections
The Golden Bears had two individuals selected in the 2018 NFL Draft.

Recruits
The Golden Bears signed a total of 21 recruits.

Award watch lists
Listed in the order that they were released

Pac-12 Media Days
The 2018 Pac-12 media days are set for July 25, 2018 in Hollywood, California. Justin Wilcox (HC), Patrick Laird (RB) & Jordan Kunaszyk (LB) at Pac-12 Media Days. The Pac-12 media poll was released with the Golden Bears predicted to finish in fourth place at Pac-12 North division.

Schedule
Sources:

Radio

 * KGO 810 AM - Joe Starkey, Mike Pawlawski, Todd McKim
 * with Hal Ramey and Lee Grosscup


 * KALX 90.7 FM

TV

 * Pac-12 Network
 * FSN/ESPN

Award finalists

 * Patrick Laird (RB)
 * Burlsworth Trophy Finalist
 * Senior CLASS Award Finalist

Award semifinalists

 * Tim DeRuyter (DC/OLB Coach)
 * Broyles Award Semifinalist


 * Jordan Kunzaszyk (LB)
 * Lott IMPACT Trophy Semifinalist


 * Patrick Laird (RB)
 * Campbell Trophy Semifinalist

Award watchlists

 * Evan Weaver (LB)
 * Lott IMPACT Trophy Watch List

Weekly awards

 * Team awards
 * FWAA National Team of the Week (Week 11 vs USC)


 * Steven Coutts (P)
 * Pac-12 Special Teams Player of the Week (Week 13 vs Colorado)


 * Luc Bequette (DE)
 * Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week (Week 11 vs USC)


 * Ashtyn Davis (S)
 * Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week (Week 13 vs Colorado)


 * Evan Weaver (LB)
 * Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week (Week 9 vs Washington)
 * CSM Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week (Week 9 vs Washington)

Honors

 * Patrick Laird (RB)
 * Allstate AFCA Good Works Team
 * Google Cloud Academic All-District Team