Cal football linebacker Michael Barton graduating, transferring for final year of eligiblity

For the third time in two years, a Cal veteran defender will be graduating and spending his final year of schooling elsewhere. Linebacker Michael Barton announced on Twitter that he will get his degree from UC Berkeley before moving on to a graduate program for his last year of college eligibility.

Announcement! pic.twitter.com/ICAzRSDdTK

— Michael Barton (@michaelbarton08) December 17, 2015

The loss of Barton combined with the loss of senior Jalen Jefferson leaves the Bears with only four regular linebackers from last year's rotation in Hardy Nickerson (Cal's leading tackler), Devante Downs, Ray Davison and Jake Kearney. Barton had 24 tackles in nine games at Cal this season after registering 80 in 2014 and 63 in 2013. While he wasn't a critical member of the rotation as he was in previous years, it would be nice for Cal to have depth at a position of weakness going into 2016.

Safety Avery Sebastian transferred last year to play his final year of eligibility in Notre Dame. Defensive end Brennan Scarlett also transferred to play his final year of eligibility in Stanford.

What are your thoughts on Barton's transfer?