BERKELEY - It means something when you are a defensive back from the University of California. In fact, so much so that the term "DBU" has been coined in recent years to reflect the growing number of defensive backs that the school's football program has placed in the NFL.

Since the 2020 NFL Draft, there have been nine Cal defensive backs taken in the NFL Draft and all nine remain on league rosters today. This group was highlighted in 2025 by a pair of Super Bowl starting safeties for the New England Patriots in Jaylinn Hawkins and Craig Woodson. Both Hawkins (who became a free agent and signed with Baltimore in 2026) and Camryn Bynum (Indianapolis) have signed recent lucrative contracts with their current teams, while Elijah Hicks re-signed with Chicago for another go-around in 2026 after spending his first four seasons with the Bears. Nohl Williams (2025 Kansas City) and Ashtyn Davis (2020 New York Jets) were third-round draft picks with Davis now a member of the Miami Dolphins. Marcus Harris (Tennessee), Patrick McMorris (New York Giants) and Daniel Scott (Indianapolis) are also currently in the league.

On Thursday at Cal's annual Pro Day at California Memorial Stadium, former Golden Bears' defensive backs Brent Austin, Hezekiah Masses and Dru Polidore Jr. continued their journeys to become the latest to enroll in "DBU" with their performances in front of scouts from all 32 NFL teams.

All three felt good about what they were able to showcase.

"I wanted to show the scouts in person that I could do what I put on tape," Austin said.

"I felt like my DB work was smooth," Polidore Jr. added. "I was able to display my athleticism and my ability to move efficiently as a defensive back."

"There are always some things you can clean up, but I thought it was a solid day," Masses said.

All three had previous stops but were enticed by the growing notoriety of defensive backs from Berkeley that each transferred to Cal to finish up their collegiate careers in 2025.

"The guys that have come out of Cal have put this place on a pedestal," Austin said. "People are expecting good defensive backs to come from here. The opportunity to play at Cal where these guys have set the standard was the biggest selling point."
Masses said he was also attracted by the combination of the previous defensive backs, as well as the academic prowess of Cal.

"You get a great education at Cal," Masses said. "I also definitely knew about DBU. Those guys took it to the next level. It was a great opportunity for me to come to Cal."

All three had productive seasons for the Bears in their lone season in Berkeley in 2025..

Masses, who tied for first nationally with 18 pass breakups as well as tied for eighth in the nation with five interceptions, earned second-team All-American honors from several media outlets and became the second Cal defensive back to be an All-American in as many seasons. Williams earned first-team honors in 2024.

Austin was a third-team All-ACC selection after starting all 13 games and had arguably the team's most memorable play of the season when he forced a fumble just before the Cal goal line and recovered it in the end zone on North Carolina's final offensive play to secure a 21-18 victory over the Tar Heels. He also had 13 pass breakups along with Masses.

Polidore ended third on the team with 62 tackles after taking over a starting safety role following a season-ending injury to Isaiah Crosby in game four.

Others from Cal's 2025 team to participate in Cal's 2026 pro day were DL T.J. Bollers, WR/RET Jacob De Jesus, RB LJ Johnson, DL Aidan Keanaaina, OL Jordan Spasojevic-Moko and DE Chris Victor.

Two other former Cal football players and alums who last played for the Bears in 2024 - DB Lu-Magia Hearns and RB Jaydn Ott - also participated in Wednesday's Pro Day.

The 2026 NFL Draft is scheduled to be held April 23-25 in Pittsburgh.