College football season is right around the corner. And it’s starting with a bang for the California Golden Bears, who landed one of the best junior college talents in the nation an hour outside the way in Modesto.
Alius Mayo made his commitment earlier this afternoon, catapulting Cal back to a consensus 21st-ranked recruiting class for 2027.
Mayo announced his commitment from his high school in Stockton, where he picked Cal over LSU, Arizona State, Mississippi State, Louisville, Kentucky and Alabama.
Mayo didn’t attract as much attention coming out of high school in 2025, with only major offer from Fresno State, but quickly blossomed in his first year in junior college. Coming in at 6’4, he showcased his physicality against wide receivers, totalling 30 tackles, one tackle for loss, five interceptions and five pass breakups in 11 games.
Mayo joins a 2026 Cal football recruiting class that includes four-star cornerbacks in Bishop Gorman (Nv.) Kamil Loud and Inglewood (Ca.) Duvay Williams, along with top local talent in San Mateo (Ca.) safety Jeovanni Henley, all of whom should be ready to compete into that two-deep almost immediately.
Welcome to Cal Alius!
This is exactly what Cal needs to do. Get this awesome talent from its own backyard and keep the LSUs, Alabamas, ASUs, and MissStates from getting it. Stockton/Modesto is Bear Territory! Welcome Alius!
Lane Kiffin out-recruited by the Bears (Tosh!)- hahahahahahahahahahaha!!!