ARLINGTON, Tex. – Defensive end James Looney became the second former Cal player selected in the 2018 NFL Draft when he was chosen in the seventh round Saturday by the Green Bay Packers with the 232nd pick overall. Looney was selected seven picks after Minnesota took inside linebacker Devante Downs in the seventh round with the 225th pick overall. The selections of Downs and Looney give Cal at least one player taken in the NFL Draft for 31 of the last 32 years.

In addition to NFL Draft selections, many players who are not drafted typically sign undrafted free agent contracts to join NFL rosters shortly after the draft.

Extensive coverage of all former Cal football players who finished their collegiate eligibility with the Golden Bears who are selected in the 2018 NFL Draft or sign undrafted free agent contracts following the draft will be provided via Cal Athletics online and social media outlets listed below.

CAL FOOTBALL 2018 NFL DRAFT COVERAGE

• Web: CalBears.com
• Twitter: @CalFootball, @CalAthletics, @CalRecruiting
• Instagram: Cal_Football, CalAthletics
• Facebook: CalAthletics
• Hashtags: #GoBears, #CalFamily, #NFLDraft
 
Below are notes on Looney with a full bios available by clicking on his name.

James Looney, DE, 6-3, 280, Lake Worth, FL (Cal/Wake Forest/Lake Worth HS)
After Cal

• The lone defensive lineman ranked in the top-10 among the 40 in his position group at the 2018 NFL Combine in each of the six measurable skills – 20-yard shuttle (4.37, 2nd), vertical jump (35.5, 3rd), 3-cone drill (7.32, 7th), broad jump (9'5", T8th), 40-yard dash (4.89, 10th) and bench press (28 reps of 225 pounds, T10th)
• Participated in the East-West Shrine Game following his 2017 senior season at Cal and contributed three tackles, 1.0 tackle for loss and one pass defended late in the contest that helped secure a victory for the winning West squad

Cal Career (2014-17)

• Played in 36 or 37 possible career games with his 35 starts over his three seasons on the field from 2015-17 leading all Cal players during the period
• Two-time honorable mention All-Pac-12 selection in each of his final two collegiate seasons as a 2016 junior and 2017 senior
• Redshirted his first season at Cal in 2014 due to NCAA transfer rules following his transfer from Wake Forest
• Registered Cal career totals of 130 tackles, 20.5 tackles for loss (-91 yards), 8.0 sacks (-48 yards), one pass breakup, two forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries and five quarterback hurries
• Recorded a career-high 9.5 tackles for loss (career-high -42 yards), two fumble recoveries and three pass breakups as a senior
• Registered single-season career highs as a 2016 with 54 tackles, while equaling career-highs with 3.5 sacks (-22 yards) and

Collegiate Career (Wake Forest 2013, Cal 2014-17)

• Combined to register collegiate career totals of 133 tackles, 21.0 tackles for loss (-93 yards), 8.5 sacks (-34 yards), five fumble recoveries including one he returned for 25 yards, five quarterback hurries and one pass breakup over 42 games and 35 starts during his four collegiate campaigns on the field at Cal (2015-17) and Wake Forest (2013) with a redshirt campaign during 2014
• All of his career totals have come at Cal other than the six games off the bench, three tackles, 0.5 sacks (-2 yards), 0.5 tackles for loss (-2 yards) and one fumble recovery he recorded during his single season on the field at Wake Forest as a true freshman in 2013

Other 
• Full name is James Thomas Looney
• Born May 15, 1995
• Son of James and Marilyn Looney
• Brother, Joe Looney, is an offensive lineman for the Dallas Cowboys who was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the fourth round of the 2012 NFL Draft and has played with the 49ers and Tennessee Titans after being a second-team All-ACC pick as a 2011 senior at Wake Forest
• Graduated from Cal in December of 2015 with a bachelor's degree in American studies