Gabe King leaves Cal football program

Austin Clark. Keni Kaufusi. Brennan Scarlett. Mustafa Jalil. Chris McCain. And now, Gabe King.

Those are the defensive line guys who the Bears have flat out lost this year, whether for the season, or permanently -- enough line depth for a team and a half. The last guy on that list, Gabe King, left the program today to finish up his degree.

A statement from Cal Athletics regarding his departure reads as follows:

Junior defensive tackle Gabe King has left the Cal football program to focus on academics. King is on track to graduate in May of 2014 with a bachelor's degree in African American Studies and will remain on a football scholarship for the remainder of the current academic year.

King was in his fourth season with the program since arriving at Cal in 2010, playing in 17 games all off the bench and making six tackles.

We wish Gabe the best in the rest of his time here, and in whatever he chooses to do going forward.