ARLINGTON, Tex. – Inside linebacker Devante Downs became the first former Cal player selected in the 2018 NFL Draft when he was chosen in the seventh round of the draft Saturday by the Minnesota Vikings with the 225th pick overall. The selection of Downs gives 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 Downs with a full bio available by clicking on his name.
 
Devante Downs, ILB, 6-3, 245, Mountlake Terrace, WA (Mountlake Terrace HS)
Cal Career (2014-17)
• Played in 40 games with 20 starts and finished with career totals of 212 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss (-64 yards), 8.0 sacks (-40 yards), five interceptions that he returned for 59 yards and one touchdown, three pass breakups, three forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, four quarterback hurries and two kick returns for eight yards
• Despite missing five-plus games earned Cal's Bear Backers Defensive MVP honors and honorable mention All-Pac-12 honors
• Finished his senior campaign second on the team with 65 tackles while adding a career-high 5.5 tackles for loss (career-high -29 yards), career-high-tying 3.0 sacks (career-high-tying -14 yards), a career-high-tying and team-high-tying two interceptions that he returned for a career-high 39 yards, a career-high and team-high four quarterback hurries, a career-high and team-high-tying two fumble recoveries that he returned for a career-high four yards and a career-high and team-high-tying two forced fumbles
• Was making a strong case for National and Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year honors through the first half of his 2017 senior campaign before suffering an injury against Washington State in the seventh contest of the season that ended his collegiate career
• Was on watch lists for the Chuck Bednarik Award and the Lott IMPACT Trophy both honoring the nation's top defensive player as well as The Butkus Award given annually to the nation's best linebacker.\ 
• Was involved in 10 turnovers including a career-high six during his 2017 senior campaign
• Posted career highs of 5.5 tackles for loss (career-high -29 yards) and 39 interception return yards as a senior, while his 3.0 sacks, 14 sack yards and two interceptions equaled single-season career bests
• Posted a career high and team-high of 84 tackles as a junior
• Equaled a career-best two interceptions as a sophomore and 3.0 sacks as a 2014 freshman
• Had his lone career interception return for a touchdown when he brought back a pick eight yards for a score to also record a career-best six points in the season-opener of his 2015 sophomore campaign against Grambling State
• Had his two career kick returns and eight kick return yards, as well as a career-long return of six yards came as a freshman vs. BYU
• Led or co-led Cal in tackles eight times including on four occasions as a senior, three times as a junior and once as a sophomore

Other 

• Full name is Devante Johnston Downs
• Born October 18, 1995
• Son of John Downs and Rosa Cham-Sanchez
• Graduated from Cal in December of 2017 with a bachelor's degree in legal studies