The California Golden Bears just added a high-upside piece to their defensive puzzle, landing edge rusher Emmanuel Okoye out of the transfer portal. Okoye, who arrives from Tennessee, brings elite-level athletic traits and untapped potential to a Cal defense that’s clearly undergoing a serious retooling in the pass rush department.
Let’s start with the measurables-because they’re hard to ignore. Okoye stands 6-foot-5, weighs in at 243 pounds, and boasts a jaw-dropping 7-foot-2-plus wingspan.
Coming out of high school, he posted testing numbers that sound more like something out of a video game: a 45.5-inch vertical, a 4.5-second 40-yard dash, and a broad jump north of 11 feet. This is the kind of raw athleticism that turns heads in NFL scouting rooms, let alone at the college level.
The big question, of course, is how quickly and effectively Okoye can get back to full speed. He redshirted in 2023 and then missed the 2024 season due to an ACL injury, so we haven’t seen much of him outside of some special teams snaps in 2025.
But that’s exactly why this is a smart swing by Cal-he’s a low-risk, high-reward addition. If he’s healthy and able to translate that athleticism into production, he could become a serious factor off the edge.
Okoye chose Cal over interest from Northwestern, Michigan State, and Mississippi State, ultimately committing during his visit to Berkeley. That’s a win for the Bears, who are clearly prioritizing length, speed, and upside in the trenches.
And he’s not arriving in a vacuum. Cal’s edge room is starting to take shape with some intriguing pieces.
Transfer Solomon Williams is another new face with potential, while returners Jayden Wayne and Odera Okaka provide continuity and experience. Together, that group gives the Bears a mix of size, athleticism, and depth they’ve been lacking in recent years.
This move is part of a broader roster reshaping effort for Cal, which has seen a flurry of portal activity on both sides of the ball.
Key Returners for Cal:
- QB EJ Caminong: A young signal-caller to watch.
- TE Mason Mini and WR Mark Hamper: Providing continuity in the passing game.
- OL Frederick Williams III and C Bastian Swinney: Anchoring the offensive line.
- DL Derek Wilkins and DL Nate Burrell: Holding down the interior.
- Edge Jayden Wayne: A key piece in the pass rush rebuild.
- DBs Isaiah Crosby and Cam Sidney: Returning leadership in the secondary.
- Kicker Chase Meyer: Withdrew from the portal and stays in Berkeley.
Notable Departures:
The Bears have seen a significant exodus, particularly at linebacker and along the offensive line.
Names like Cade Uluave (BYU), Luke Ferrelli (Clemson), and Curlee Thomas (North Texas) leave a noticeable void in the linebacker room. The offensive line also took a hit with the departures of Nick Morrow (Kansas), Braden Miller (Duke), and Leon Bell, among others.
On the defensive front, TJ Bush (Minnesota) and Ryan McCulloch (UCLA) are also on their way out.
This kind of roster churn is typical in today’s college football landscape, but Cal’s staff is clearly being intentional with their additions. Okoye fits the mold of a program betting on traits and upside-especially in a conference where dynamic pass rushers can tilt the field.
If Okoye can stay healthy and develop under the Bears’ coaching staff, he has the tools to become a real difference-maker. And in a defense that’s looking to turn the corner, that kind of upside is worth the investment.