PITTSBURGH – California defensive back Hezekiah Masses was selected 175th overall in the fifth round of the 2026 NFL Draft by the Las Vegas Raiders on Saturday. 

Masses is the 259th Golden Bear to be chosen in the NFL Draft. In addition, the Bears have now had a defensive back selected in seven consecutive drafts.

During his lone season in Berkeley, he started all 13 games for the Bears and finished the season with 47 tackles, 13 pass breakups, intercepted five passes and added a half sack.

After the season, Masses was named First-Team All-ACC and a Second-Team All- American by Walter Camp, Associated Press and the AFCA.

Masses led the nation and the ACC with 18 passes defended and 1.38 passes defended per game and his five interceptions were good for second in the ACC and tied for seventh nationally. His 13 pass breakups tied for second in the ACC and nationally.

Prior to his time at Cal, Masses spent three seasons at FIU.