Cal Linebacker Cade Uluave Enters Transfer Portal, Return to Berkeley Still Possible

The California Golden Bears will have work to do to retain their defensive anchor.

Here comes the toughest hit for the Bears in the transfer portal. Cal linebacker Cade Uluave will be exploring his options this offseason.

Pete Thamel@PeteThamel

Cal linebacker Cade Uluave is entering the NCAA transfer portal, he tells ESPN. He earned first-team All-ACC honors with 100 tackles last year. He’s a junior with one year of eligibility remaining.

10:51 PM · Jan 3, 2026 · 22.2K Views

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23 Replies · 28 Reposts · 109 Likes

In his three years at Cal, Uluave has amassed 237 tackles and has played since he was a true freshman back in 2023. He has become a fan favorite for his hard-hitting personality and production.

Pete Thamel@PeteThamel

Uluave will be one of the most coveted defensive players in the portal. He’s 6-1, 235 pounds and 21.0 career TFLs, 6 career sacks and 3 interceptions. He also had 11 pass deflections and 2 forced fumbles. He said a return to Cal is possible, as he’s weighing all options.

10:51 PM · Jan 3, 2026 · 11.3K Views

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5 Reposts · 26 Likes

The good news is Uluave seems open (like a few other players) to return to Cal. It’s likely a negotiation will have to take place to outdo other high bidders, but it’d be very hard to replace Uluave’s production and ability. We will see how Tosh Lupoi responds.

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Visits are happening, but the potential losses are starting to get a little high. Here are the known portal entries:

Departures

• LB Cade Uluave

• DL TJ Bush

• DL Nate Burrell

• DB Cam Sidney

• RB Brandon High

• LB Luke Ferrelli

• LB Harrison Taggart

• Edge Ryan McCulloch

• OL Lajuan Owens

• K Abram Murray

• P Michael Kern

• LB Eze Osondu

• DL Ike Okafor

• QB Devin Brown

• OL Nick Morrow

• OL Leon Bell

• WR Dazmin James

• LB Buom Jock