The Tosh Lupoi era at Cal is barely three weeks old, but the recruiting buzz is already hitting a new gear-and fast. If there were any questions about whether Lupoi’s reputation as a relentless recruiter would carry over to Berkeley, the early returns are answering them loud and clear.
Let’s start with the headliner: Honor Fa’alave-Johnson. The five-star athlete out of Cathedral Catholic (San Diego) is one of the top 50 prospects in the 2027 class, and he’s making an early stop in Berkeley. That’s not just a courtesy visit-it’s a signal.
Fa’alave-Johnson dropped an early top 10 list that included some of the sport’s biggest powerhouses: USC, Miami, Penn State, Oregon, Notre Dame, Texas, Texas A&M, Oklahoma, Ohio State, and Alabama. That list came out just a week after Lupoi was officially introduced at Cal.
Now, just weeks later, Fa’alave-Johnson is heading to campus. That’s a quick turnaround and a telling one.
In a heavyweight recruiting battle like this, securing an early visit is the kind of move that can shift momentum-especially when you’re trying to punch above your weight in the Pac-12.
And Fa’alave-Johnson isn’t coming alone.
Another blue-chip name on the Bears’ weekend visit list is quarterback Sione Tu’amoheloa-Kaho. The 6-foot-3, 210-pound signal caller from Tacoma is one of the top five QB prospects on the West Coast.
Most recruiting circles have pegged Oregon and Washington as the frontrunners, but Cal getting an early visit-especially with a decision potentially coming soon-is a big development. The Bears are still in the early stages of building relationships under this new staff, but they’re clearly making up ground fast.
Duke and Stanford are also in the mix, but the timing here could be working in Cal’s favor.
The defensive side of the ball isn’t lacking star power either.
Duvay Williams, a four-star cornerback from Junipero Serra (Gardena), is also heading to Berkeley this weekend. Ranked as a top 10 corner nationally and one of the top five overall prospects in California, Williams is a major target.
He’s got a national offer sheet-Nebraska, Texas A&M, USC, Ohio State, Notre Dame, Texas, Miami, Washington, Indiana, and now renewed interest from UCLA-but Cal is getting their shot. That matters.
Especially when you consider Lupoi's stated goal of locking down in-state talent.
Speaking of local wins, Cal’s also hosting Malakai Taufoou, a highly regarded safety out of Junipero Serra (San Mateo). He’s arguably the best prospect in the Bay Area this cycle, and landing him would be a major statement for Lupoi, who has emphasized keeping top regional talent close to home. Penn State has already applied some early pressure, so this one won’t be easy-but it’s a battle Cal needs to be in, and right now, they are.
And don’t overlook Jeovanni Henley, who’s also making the trip. A top-75 athlete according to the 247Sports Composite, Henley brings versatility and upside, and he’s another example of the Bears casting a wide but targeted net under this new regime.
Bottom line: Cal isn’t just trying to show up in recruiting conversations-they’re trying to change them. Lupoi’s first few weeks on the job have been about setting a tone, and with this kind of visitor list, that tone is clear. The Bears are swinging big, and they’re not waiting around to do it.