Going back to May of 2016, the first time Davis Webb stepped on the field for a workout with Chad Hansen and other Golden Bear receivers at California Memorial Stadium, he knew big things were in store.
 
Webb set the bar high right from day one.
 
"I told him I thought he was going to have 1,500 receiving yards and 100 catches," Webb said about Hansen. "I don't think he believed me at the time."
 
Webb's spring prediction was close. Hansen finished the 2016 campaign with 92 catches for 1,249 yards, and Hansen missed two games due to injury. Webb also had a big year himself, completing 382 of 620 passes for 4,295 yards and 37 touchdown passes, making the duo one of the best in the nation despite it being their first season as teammates.
 
Webb and Hansen have helped each other stand in a great position to be drafted high in the 2017 NFL Draft that starts today at 5 p.m. PT from Philadelphia, and continues through Saturday.
 
"Last year was pivotal in where I am now because I wouldn't be here without last year, and, obviously, a big part of that is my time working with Davis," Hansen said. "Our team last year really trusted me and that helped me grow as a person and a player, and having to step up into a leadership role and do those type of things really helped me get to where I am today."
 
Webb and Hansen both thrived as leaders in 2016. Part of that was the result of both players coming into the season with a chip on their shoulder.
 
Webb transferred to Cal after serving as the backup quarterback at Texas Tech in 2015. He left Lubbock, Texas, with 14 career starts in his first three collegiate seasons. He arrived in Berkeley knowing his one campaign in the blue and gold was his best opportunity to make an impact on the college football world, the Cal football program and the NFL scouts.
 
"My first three years at Texas Tech allowed me to grow, but I got to grow even more in my senior year at Cal, so I'm just thankful for the opportunity Cal gave me," Webb said. "Looking back, this is the place I want to call home. If I ever play on Monday Night Football and get the opportunity to say where I went to college, I'm going to say Cal."
 
Hansen arrived at Cal as a walk-on transfer from Idaho State in 2014. Although his playing time increased towards the end of the 2015 season, it was after the Bears lost their top six receivers following that campaign when Hansen found himself at the top of the depth chart.
 
He knew he couldn't waste the prime opportunity.
 
"The reason it worked out so well, and so quickly, is because I believe Davis and I are very similar on the field," Hansen said. "We are both extremely competitive and we will do everything it takes to be at our best all the time. I think he knew I needed him to get where I wanted to be, and he needed me. We wanted to help the team in the best way possible. For me, that was catching as many balls as possible. Being from those types of backgrounds, having that chip on your shoulder, you understand where the other person is coming from, that special desire to be great."
 
Webb and Hansen wasted no time in being great together on the field. In the 2016 season opener against Hawai'i at the College Football Sydney Cup in Australia, Webb threw for 441 yards and four touchdowns passes, two of which were caught by Hansen, who hauled in 14 receptions for 160 receiving yards.
 
The duo continued to produce throughout the campaign, thriving off of each other's accomplishments. They both ended the season near the top of the nation's individual rankings in multiple categories, garnered recognition as national honors candidates and placed their names in the Cal record book in numerous spots.
 
As they set their sights on the next chapter of their football careers, success may not be difficult for them to achieve, but finding a good match like they enjoyed with each other last season at Cal may be hard to duplicate.
 
"I'll be texting him, seeing how he's progressing through rookie camp all the way to the regular season," Webb said. "I'm hoping we will have a vacation together in the offseason with all of our friends from Cal, and we'll get together to talk about memories, what's happened in the past year and watch a little bit of Cal football on the side."
 
Even if they can only call themselves teammates once in their careers, that one year established a friendship that will last the rest of their lives.