The California running backs had a quick laugh while watching practice film in their position meeting room. The reason for the chuckle was because they saw one of their own – Alex Netherda – on film as a member of the defense.
 
Netherda has bounced around from position to position during his time at Cal, giving his all everywhere the coaches need him on the field. The redshirt junior from Santa Rosa, Calif., has played on both sides of the ball throughout his first three years in the program, having been listed on team's roster as a running back, wide receiver, safety, linebacker, while also playing on special teams.
 
Currently listed as a running back on the team's 2018 spring roster, Netherda is making the most of the increased reps given to him during spring practices, and he's impressing the coaching staff with his effort.
 
"He's done a really good job," said offensive coordinator and assistant head coach Beau Baldwin. "I shouldn't say it's surprised me because I've been seeing for the past 12 months what a football player he is. No matter what position he plays, he's a football player. He works at it. You're not just smart because you're smart. You're smart because you work hard. I respect how he approaches it, and he's put himself in a good position to have some success."
 
Playing different positions has been an enjoyable learning experience for Netherda who wants to do whatever he can to contribute to help the Golden Bears win as many games as possible no matter what his role may be.
 
"Making the switch to running back this spring has been really fun," Netherda said. "Coach Toler is awesome. We have some history from when I first came into the program. Running back has always been a pretty natural position for me, playing it when I was growing up and in high school. I like it a lot."
 
His experience at other positions makes a difference in helping fellow running backs like Biaggio Ali Walsh improve their game.
 
Ali Walsh said having Netherda in the running backs group allows him and the other backs to get some insight into where players at other positions will be on the field for a play.
 
"Whenever I would ask who the receiver is blocking on a play, so I'll know where to run, he'll let me know what they're doing," Ali Walsh said. "It's cool to have somebody who has played different positions."
 
Running backs coach Burl Toler III said the experience Netherda gained from playing so many different positions gives him the confidence to speak up in meeting rooms, yell out plays during practice and be more of an all-around vocal leader.
 
It's also apparent to Toler that the rest of the Bears are taking notice of Netherda's growing football knowledge from playing multiple positions.
 
"We were out on the field one day and Alex was explaining what to do to help one of his teammates and somebody from a different position came running over and yelled, 'Netherda knows it all,' Toler said. "They were teasing him but also giving him props in a good way.
 
"He's been looking great in practice. One thing that stands out is his desire. He's a great guy and he's passionate about football."
 
Not only with different offensive positions, but working with defensive backs coach Gerald Alexander and the rest of the defensive backs during spring ball last year gave Netherda some inside knowledge on how to try to beat the corners to the ball when he switched back to offense for the regular season.
 
"Last spring, when I moved from safety to receiver that was really fun," Netherda said. "I had been learning so much of the strategy behind our defense from Coach Alexander that moving over to receiver really helped me understand what the corners and safeties are trying to do in covering the receivers. It really helps you understand what you're doing and why you're doing it."
 
Netherda was a two-way player at Maria Carrillo High School in Santa Rosa, garnering playing time as a running back, wide receiver and a safety. Primarily used as the team's featured running back, Netherda gained valuable experience as a two-way player that helped prepare him for his collegiate career. 
 
Maria Carrillo High School football head coach Jay Higgins credited Netherda as the kind of player who makes a head coach's job easier because of his great instincts on the field as a leader and a teammate.
 
"The Alex that you see today is the same Alex from the first day I met him," Higgins said. "He's really upbeat and a positive leader. He's very supportive of his teammates. He's the kind of guy that everybody roots for. He's a genuine and caring person."
 
Part of Netherda's motivation to succeed stems from witnessing former walk-ons like Chad Hansen and Patrick Laird earn their stripes and become critical pieces of the offense.
 
Laird and Netherda bonded when they were both on the scout team early in their Cal careers. Their backgrounds are similar, arriving at Cal as walk-ons and beginning their careers on the scout team and special teams. Laird said he sees the same hunger in Netherda that he brings to the field.
 
"Guys understand that Alex is someone who is willing to do whatever it takes to play and help the team win," Laird said. "You can see it in the way he plays on special teams. The guys who go really hard on special teams are the best guys to have on your team."
 
Netherda doesn't take any practice for granted. These practices mean everything for him, regardless of where he lines up on the field. He's just looking for an opportunity to prove he can contribute no matter if it's on offense or defense.
 
"I try to take every opportunity like it could be my last one," he said. "Every year, I've seen spring ball as of the utmost importance, but especially this year, I feel like it's everything. I really want to show the coaches everything I'm capable of doing and that they can trust me. Whatever they need, I want to show them that I can execute at whatever position. I'm here to contribute and help us win."
 
When the 2018 regular season begins, if fans see No. 31 on the field, they can rest assured they're watching a Bear giving it 100 percent for his team and his school.