Cal Football Lands RB Carter Vargas via the Transfer Portal
Cal builds out an impressive group of backs
In the latest in a flurry of signings, Cal has padded their running backs room with another stand out from the transfer portal, UC Davis’s Carter Vargas. Vargas joins fellow portal transfer Washington’s Adam Mohammed and UTEP’s Ashten Emory, in what is shaping up to be an impressive unit. A redshirt freshman with three years of eligibility remaining,
Before injury ended his 2025 campaign with the Aggies, the 6’ 212 pound RB caught the attention of national programs, running for 445 yards on 67 carries (6.6 YPC) for five touchdowns in just eight games. Vargas is also a threat in the receiving game, nabbing 177 yards on 10 passes (17.7 yards/reception) for another two touchdowns.
Vargas is a native of Santa Maria, CA, and will stay in the golden state. Oregon, Michigan State, and LSU were reportedly all in the mix to land this FCS stand out. Highlights are below.
Cal transfer portal arrivals
Running back Adam Mohammed (via Washington)
Wide receiver Ian Strong (via Rutgers)
Tight end Dorian Thomas (via New Mexico)
Offensive tackle Jacob Arop (via South Dakota)
Edge Solomon Williams (via Texas A&M)
Safety Kingston Lopa (via Oregon)
Running back Carter Vargas (via UC Davis)
Running back Ashten Emory (via UTEP)
Offensive lineman Mykeal Rabess (via Florida International)
Looks like we may have some real power coming from the RB room to balance the potent passing game Tosh is building around JKS. Let’s just hope the OL and DL are up to the task.
Thanks JMG. In this crazy portal era, it’s tough not to be a little skeptical when you see “3 years of eligibility remaining”…until something changes, this is a year-to-year thing. ;-)