The Bears may not hibernate in Berkeley, but they sure have been on the hunt this winter-and they’re bringing back a haul.
With the NCAA transfer portal window closing on January 16, Cal has emerged as one of the most aggressive and effective programs in the country. New head coach Tosh Lupoi, fresh off his stint as Oregon’s defensive coordinator during the College Football Playoff, didn’t waste a second. While most coaches would be overwhelmed juggling a playoff run and a complete program rebuild, Lupoi leaned into the chaos-and came out swinging.
“Just absolutely wonderful,” Lupoi said with a healthy dose of sarcasm when asked about managing both roles. “What a great time to have the portal open right now.
Makes a whole lot of sense. Been great.
Get right about three-and-a-half hours of sleep a night.”
Sleep-deprived or not, the results speak volumes. As of Sunday night, Cal has landed 28 new players through the portal, 15 of them from Power Five conferences-the SEC, Big Ten, and ACC. That’s a significant shift for a program that, in years past, struggled to consistently attract top-tier transfers from the sport’s elite leagues.
This isn’t just about quantity-it’s about quality. Cal’s new roster includes a mix of proven talent and high-upside players, each handpicked to fit Lupoi’s vision for a more competitive, more dynamic team. And while the Power Five additions are notable, some of the most intriguing names come from outside those circles.
Among the headliners:
- Ian Strong, a wide receiver from Rutgers who brings Big Ten toughness and reliable hands.
- Jericho Johnson, a defensive lineman from Oregon, who already knows Lupoi’s system and brings immediate impact potential.
- Angus Davies, a punter from Tulsa, whose leg could quietly become a field-position weapon.
- Dorian Thomas, a tight end from New Mexico with intriguing size and versatility.
- Adam Mohammed, a running back from Washington, who adds depth and explosiveness to the backfield.
- Kingston Lopa, a safety from Oregon with range and physicality.
- Ashton Rivera, an offensive lineman from Kent State, expected to compete right away.
It’s a reshaped roster that reflects a clear strategy: blend experience, talent, and scheme fit to build a foundation that can compete-not just in the Big Ten, but nationally.
Lupoi isn’t doing it alone. The credit extends across the entire football operation.
General manager Ron Rivera, assistant GM Marshall Cherrington, and director of recruiting Benji Palu have all played key roles in overhauling Cal’s approach to the portal. Add in the position coaches and coordinators who’ve helped close deals and sell the vision, and it’s clear this is a full-program effort.
“Our staff is doing an unbelievable job here as we swing for the fences to bring you a bunch of ballers in Berkeley,” Lupoi told fans at Haas Pavilion during Cal’s basketball game against Duke. “We got an amazing opportunity this weekend to close it out. … Next week, we’re going to go to work and implement our culture and try to create something that you are all extremely proud of.”
There’s still work to be done. Inside linebacker remains a position of need after losing Luke Ferrelli, Harrison Taggart, and team captain Cade Uluave to the portal.
Cal could look to plug those holes with players like Oregon’s Kamar Mothudi or USC’s AJ Tuitele, both of whom are still available. But regardless of how the final pieces fall into place, the Bears have already delivered one of the most impressive portal hauls in the country.
And if this is the new normal in Berkeley, that’s a problem for the rest of the Big Ten.
Cherrington summed it up best in a past interview: “There’s no excuse for why this place can’t be great. You have all the factors-amazing location, great academics, a really powerful alumni network that’s massive and supports all our guys.”
That belief is starting to resonate-not just with the staff, but with the players who are choosing to be part of something new. Cal isn’t just rebuilding.
It’s reloading. And with Lupoi at the helm, the Bears are wide awake-and ready to make noise.