Offensive coaches aren’t the only personnel Sonny Dykes is losing on that side of the ball at Cal.
Late Tuesday night, the school announced that wide receiver Chris Harper intends to forego his remaining eligibility and make himself available for the NFL draft. Harper was a true junior in 2014.
“We wish Chris the best in the next chapter of his football career and thank him for the contributions he made to the Cal football program,” Dykes said in a statement. “We look forward to watching his continued success at the next level as he pursues his dream of playing in the NFL and joins a long list of Cal players who have been successful in the league.”
In 2014, Harper tied for second on the team in receptions (52) and receiving touchdowns (six), and was third in receiving yards (634). For his career, Harper totaled 159 catches, 1969 receiving yards and 14 touchdown receptions. Per the school, he is eighth on Cal’s career receptions list and tied for ninth in touchdown receptions.
He started 23 of the 35 games in which he played, and caught at least one pass in 29 straight contests.
“After having many talks with my family, mentors and coaches I have decided that declaring for the NFL Draft was best for me at this time,” Harper stated. “Millions of different thoughts and prayers have been put into this educated decision which is why I have decided to enter the draft. These past three years have definitely been some of the best and most memorable years of my life with regards to football, my education, and the endless relationships that I’ve built with my teammates, coaches, ex-coaches and classmates.
“I want to personally take the time out to give a huge thank you to coach [Jeff] Tedford who gave me the opportunity to be a Bear when my offers were very slim and at a time when other collegiate coaches didn’t believe in me. I also want to say thank you to Sonny Dykes and the current coaching staff who gave me the opportunities that were given on the field, and especially to coach [Rob] Likens who I formed a close bond with in my last season as a Bear.
“I love everything that Cal had to offer pertaining to football, education and the great culture of the city of Berkeley. I love all of the die-hard Bear fans that made my experience at Cal unforgettable because of their persistent support towards all of us not only when we won but also when we were at our lowest. I appreciate everything Cal has done for me and the unbreakable bonds that I’ve formed with so many of my teammates and want to give a last thank you to everyone involved in my success.”
