Cal’s 2028 recruiting board is already starting to light up, and the early action suggests Tosh Lupoi and his staff are wasting no time building momentum with the next wave of prospects.
One of the names drawing attention is Encino (Calif.) Crespi quarterback Chase Curren, who has interest from both Bay Area schools. A top 40 California prospect, Curren is also beginning to pick up interest from multiple Power 4 programs.
At wide receiver, St. John Bosco’s DJ Tubbs is another California target Cal has been pushing hard for.
Tubbs has a special connection with Geoff Macarthur, who coached him in high school, and that relationship appears to matter. Cal has made inroads with California’s No. 1 2028 wideout, with Macarthur and Ike Hilliard helping the Bears.
Tubbs said, "My goal is to play in the NFL and what better person to learn from than who did it in the league for 10+ years"
Tight end Tytan McNeal is also on the radar. The Sammamish, Wash., Eastside Catholic standout is considered one of the best tight ends in the country, ranking No. 1 in the 247Sports Composite.
Cal was among the schools that got an early visit, along with Michigan and Texas, though it’s still early in the process and every major program is involved. McNeal said several schools are working hard to land him, but he’s in no rush.
Closer to home, Cal also landed an offer out of Folsom running back Osias Bolton after he camped with the Bears. The possibility of teaming up with his quarterback Brody Rudnicki in 2028 is part of what makes that situation interesting, and it’s another sign Cal is trying to strengthen its footprint in California.
There’s also movement in the Midwest. Cornerback Damontae Butler, a top 10 prospect in Ohio from Pickerington, recently picked up a Cal offer and is a name to keep an eye on.
Butler said, "I was honored to receive the offer ..... Cal sits high if I had to rank it based on my recruiting"
With names like Curren, Tubbs, McNeal, Bolton and Butler already surfacing, it’s clear the Bears’ 2028 recruiting picture is taking shape fast. With Lupoi in the mix, this is likely just the beginning.