Cal Football Transfer: Emmanuel Okoye, Edge Via Tennessee
The California Golden Bears continue to upgrade their athletic profile on defense.
The California Golden Bears have landed another talent upgrade in Emmanuel Okoye. Okoye comes by way of Tennessee, where he mostly featured on special teams and as a defensive reserve. Okoye also attracted interest from Northwestern, Michigan State, and Mississippi State before committing on his Cal visit.
Okoye has seen limited snaps the last two years. An ACL injury forced a medical redshirt in 2024 after redshirting 2023. He saw some time on special teams in 2025. At 6-5 and 243 pounds, with a 7-foot-2+ wingspan and athletic measureables coming into college (45.5” vertical, 4.5 40, 11’3”+ broad jump), if Okoye can recover health-wise, he is exactly the type of flyer the Bears can take a chance on in the pass rush game.
With transfer Solomon Williams, returning edge Jayden Wayne and Odera Okaka, the Bears are rebuilding their profile at pass rush.
Cal transfer portal arrivals
Quarterback Jackson Brousseau (via Colorado State)
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)
Edge Emmanuel Okoye (via Tennessee)
Linebacker Tristan Jernigan (via Texas A&M)
Cornerback Daniel Harris (via Georgia)
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 Buom Jock (Wake Forest)
Linebacker Curlee Thomas (North Texas)
Defensive lineman TJ Bush (Minnesota)
Edge Ryan McCulloch (UCLA)
Running back Brandon High (UTSA)
Offensive lineman Nick Morrow (Kansas)
Quarterback Devin Brown (Weber State)
Longsnapper Rino Monteforte (Kansas)
Wide receiver Jayden Dixon-Veal
Tight end Ben Marshall
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Seems like some of our transfers (particularly on D) don’t have a ton of reps. I get the upside but I was hoping Tosh would bring in more proven talent from Oregon. Part of what helped Cignetti turn IU around so quickly is, as he said, recruiting production over potential.