Cal Football Transfer: Ashton Rivera, Interior Offensive Lineman From Kent State
The California Golden Bears landed another major body in the trenches with significant starting experience.
The California Golden Bears have landed another major offensive line piece in Ashton Rivera. The experienced MAC offensive lineman racked up 600 snaps last year at left guard, center, and right guard, and has two years of eligibility remaining. He was also previously at Florida International with incoming Cal transfer Mykeal Rabess, but did not see significant action.
Rivera’s tape shows a lineman with extremely quick feet and burst off the line of scrimmage. He seems able to move with quickness for a man of his size—the 6-2, 310 guard from Cape Coral (Fl.) is someone who should contend for a starting role.
With Rivera inbound, Cal now has two interior linemen in the portal in the last 24 hours, with Kahli Tafai also coming. They should battle it out with Tyson Ruffins, Bastian Swinney, and Sioape Vatikani for the starting spots in the middle this offseason. It should be an increasingly competitive offensive line group that appears to have upleveled its skill and talent profile.
Welcome Ashton!
Here’s a look at the transfer portal updates, ins and outs and returnees.
Cal transfer portal arrivals
Running back Adam Mohammed (via Washington)
Running back Carter Vargas (via UC Davis)
Running back Ashten Emory (via UTEP)
Wide receiver Ian Strong (via Rutgers)
Wide receiver Chase Hendricks (via Ohio)
Wide receiver Cooper Perry (via Oregon)
Tight end Dorian Thomas (via New Mexico)
Offensive lineman Jimothy Lewis (via Mississippi State)
Offensive lineman Mykeal Rabess (via Florida International)
Offensive lineman Kahli Tafai (via Minnesota)
Offensive lineman Ashton Rivera (via Kent State)
Offensive lineman Jacob Arop (via South Dakota)
Defensive lineman Justin Beadles (via Louisville)
Defensive lineman Ashun Shepphard (via Mississippi State)
Edge Solomon Williams (via Texas A&M)
Linebacker Tristan Jernigan (via Texas A&M)
Safety Kingston Lopa (via Oregon)
Safety Michael Hurst Jr. (via Northern Arizona)
Returning Bears
Kicker Chase Meyer (withdrew from portal)
Cal transfer portal departures
Linebacker Luke Ferrelli (Clemson)
Linebacker Curlee Thomas (North Texas)
Defensive lineman TJ Bush (Minnesota)
Edge Ryan McCulloch (UCLA)
Running back Brandon High (UTSA)
Offensive lineman Nick Morrow (Kansas)
Longsnapper Rino Monteforte (Kansas)
I assume Rugbear has tuned out for the time being, but I'll look forward to his take on the OL once the dust has settled.. Come back, Rug!
Welcome to Cal Ashton!