Damariay Drew could walk onto Cal football this fall, readmitted to UC Berkeley

The California Golden Bears could receive a huge boost in the next few weeks at the safety position. Damariay Drew got his conviction reduced, then was readmitted back to UC Berkeley, and now has the potential to be a member of the Cal football team by the time fall camp rolls around.

Mike Vernon of the San Francisco Chronicle has the story.

"After working hard to satisfy all of the academic and student conduct requirements set forth by our campus, Damariay Drew reapplied to UC Berkeley on his own, and has been readmitted," Cal said in a statement. "Damariay has also worked through the legal process successfully. Provided he continues to take the steps necessary to remain in good standing, he will be eligible to try-out this fall as a walk-on for our football program."

Why does Cal need Drew?

First of all, Drew didn't just take a year off from football. He went out and worked it at his temporary JUCO assignment. His tape from his fall in Butte looks really, really good, and probably the best of all available Cal safety candidates for 2015.

Already he shows the relative speed that was simply lacking from much of our safety candidates last season. Drew can immediately slot in and play as either strong or free safety depending on the position of need.

There are no shortage of candidates to be the starting Cal safeties next season. But almost every candidate has their fair share of question marks. Here's the list.

Vanderbilt, Turner, Drew, McClure, Walker, McCrary, Piatt, Tartabull, Brown, Rubenzer...

— Nam Le (@AGuyNamedNam) July 7, 2015

Who do you believe will start for the Bears at safety come opening day?