Where could Cal look next in the transfer portal on defense?
Where could Cal look next in the transfer portal on defense?
Plus some additional new transfer candidates on offense.
Cal has gotten off to a great start in the transfer portal on defense.
Washington transfer linebacker Jackson Sirmon provides some more immediate depth at linebacker, and can give the Bears an experienced option to plug the gaps. He figures to be in a good place to see playing time with Mo Iosefa, Femi Oladejo and Nate Rutchena anchoring the middle.
This will also give Cal the flexibility to move around some of their linebacking talent around. With Cameron Goode and Kuony Deng moving on, you could see versatile talents like Trey Paster vie for outside spots with Braxten Croteau, or some of our young edge talents like Myles Williams and Kaleb Elarms-Orr coming into prominence. And we’re still waiting to see what happens with Marqez Bimage.
Utah transfer defensive end Xavier Carlton also gives Cal more flexibility with how they position their team. You could see Carlton play on the edge with Ethan Saunders or you could also see the young freshmen Derek Wilkins and Akili Calhoun.
What other defensive talent could Cal afford shoring up for the 2022 season?
Cornerbacks
Cal has plenty of young talent at corner. Lu-Magia Hearns surprised everyone by surpassing everyone on the depth chart to earn a starting corner spot. Collin Gamble and Isaiah Young also stepped up and expect Kaleb Higgins to enter the fray, but with Josh Drayden leaving and Jaylen Martin transferring, there figures to be space for an additional contender.
Mekhi Blackmon is one possible target. The Colorado corner made All Pac-12 Honorable Mention as one of the few bright spots of a dreadful Buffs campaign. Blackmon piled up 41 tackles and one interception this season.
Blackmon has apparently visited Utah and USC this past weekend, so he seems to be identifying a West Coast spot for himself.
UPDATE: Blackmon will choose between Utah, USC, and Cal tomorrow.
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