Cal Football Lands Top-5 Transfer TE Dorian Thomas in the Portal from New Mexico
The 2025 Mountain West All-Conference First Team transfer is headed to Berkeley after predictions had the TE landing at UCLA according to CBS Sports' Matt Zenitz
Tosh Lupoi knows the story, and he’s making sure the world does too. Bear territory is getting much more serious as Cal’s new head coach is attacking the transfer portal head-on, securing the fifth big-name transfer addition from the portal with the addition of New Mexico’s Dorian Thomas.
A sophomore from Kent, Washington, Thomas began his career with the Arizona Wildcats, where he saw limited action in 4 games and collected no stats on special teams as a redshirt Freshman before transferring to the Lobos. At the University of New Mexico, Thomas was lights out, bringing in 56 receptions (3rd amongst TEs in FBS) for 560 yards and 4 TDs, averaging 10.0 yards per reception and 43.1 per game.
At 6-4, 239 lbs, Thomas brings size and an immediate impact to Lupoi and Somerville’s offensive scheme, and will likely take prioritized/shared snaps with/over Mason Mini, who announced his return to Cal after seeing limited playing time due to an injury, but also had 5 total touchdowns in his redshirt Sophomore season with the Bears.
Coming in as the No. 4 TE in the On3 Rivals transfer portal rankings and at the No. 5 spot on 24/7 Sports, Thomas’ predictions were set at 100% for his commitment to UCLA across both sites for the incoming R-Junior, but Tosh and the Bears staff got it done. CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz reported it first.
Thomas’ agency also released a statement this afternoon informing teams/fans that he would not be visiting Florida after making his visits to Cal and UCLA.
Cal currently ranks 9th across all of college football in 24/7 Sports’ 2026 Transfer Football Team Rankings and 1st in the ACC (as of January 6th).
Welcome to Cal, Dorian! Dorian Thomas joins the transfer class of OT Jacob Arop, EDGE Solomon Williams, RB Adam Mohammed, and WR Ian Strong.







I literally cannot remember the last time Cal had two credible pass catching tight ends. It would have to have been at some point in the Tedford era.
I think this is more than progress. This is the resulting outcome from elite recruiters.