Cal Football Transfer: Jayden Williams, Defensive Lineman From North Texas

The California Golden Bears have restocked their defensive line talent.

The California Golden Bears have rebuilt their defensive line in a hurry. Another incoming commit is Jayden Williams from North Texas.

Jayden “Big Jay” Williams@1_OnlyJayden

Let’s Go 🐻 Nation ready get to work excited to get to work with so many great people and be part of prestigious program like Cal💙💛🐻…let’s go take the ACC

7:06 PM · Jan 17, 2026 · 22K Views

---

23 Replies · 47 Reposts · 297 Likes

In his sophomore season last year, the 6-2, 298-pound defensive lineman played in 11 of 13 games and posted 21 tackles. Cincinnati and West Virginia also showed interest in the defensive tackle. Williams is one of two North Texas transfers to head to Berkeley, as edge Joshua Pierce also decided to join Tosh Lupoi in Strawberry Canyon.

Cal will have a significant number of defensive line bodies up front to disrupt opposing offensive linemen next season, with many returning Bears confirmed and transfers inbound. Williams, Jericho Johnson (via Oregon), Justin Beadles (via Louisville), and Ashun Shpphard (via Mississippi State) are interior candidates for a four defensive lineman system. Returnees Derek Wilkins and Nate Burrell could also see their relative experience at Cal play a factor. It’s a lot for defensive line coach Darrion Daniels to take stock of for the spring and fall camps.

Let’s take a look at all the movement.

Cal transfer portal arrivals

• Quarterback Jackson Brousseau (via Colorado State)

• Running backs Adam Mohammed (via Washington), Carter Vargas (via UC Davis), Ashten Emory (via UTEP)

• Wide receivers Ian Strong (via Rutgers), Chase Hendricks (via Ohio), Cooper Perry (via Oregon)

• Tight end Dorian Thomas (via New Mexico)

• Offensive linemen Jimothy Lewis (via Mississippi State), Mykeal Rabess (via Florida International), Kahli Tafai (via Minnesota), Ashton Rivera (via Kent State), Jacob Arop (via South Dakota)

• Defensive linemen Jericho Johnson (via Oregon), Justin Beadles (via Louisville), Ashun Shepphard (via Mississippi State), Jayden Williams (via North Texas)

• Edges Solomon Williams (via Texas A&M), Emmanuel Okoye (via Tennessee), Joshua Pierce (via North Texas)

• Linebackers Tristan Jernigan (via Texas A&M), Kamar Mothudi (via Oregon), AJ Tuitele (via USC)

• Cornerbacks Ricky Fletcher (via Ole Miss), Daniel Harris (via Georgia)

• Safeties Kingston Lopa (via Oregon), Michael Hurst Jr. (via Northern Arizona)

• Punter Angus Davies (via Tulsa), Kicker Towns McGough (via Auburn)

Confirmed returning Bears

• Quarterback EJ Caminong (withdrew from portal)

• Tight end Mason Mini

• Wide receiver Mark Hamper

• Offensive linemen Frederick Williams III, Bastian Swinney

• Defensive linemen Derek Wilkins, Nate Burrell (withdrew from portal)

• Edge Jayden Wayne

• Defensive backs Isaiah Crosby, Cam Sidney

• Kicker Chase Meyer (withdrew from portal)

Cal transfer portal departures

• Linebackers Cade Uluave (BYU), Luke Ferrelli (Clemson), Harrison Taggart (Utah State), Eze Osondu (UTSA), Buom Jock (Wake Forest), Curlee Thomas (North Texas)

• Defensive linemen TJ Bush (Minnesota), Ike Okafor (Washington State)

• Edge Ryan McCulloch (UCLA)

• Running back Brandon High (UTSA)

• Offensive linemen Lajuan Owens (Central Arkansas), Nick Morrow (Kansas), Leon Bell (Colorado), Braden Miller (Duke), Daveion Harley (Florida International), Jordan Spasojevic-Moko

• Tight end Landon Morris (Wake Forest), Ben Marshall

• Quarterbacks Devin Brown (Weber State), Belay Brummel

• Defensive back Kaden Cook (Jacksonville State)

• Wide receivers Dazmin James (Appalachian State), Jaiven Plummer (Georgia Tech), Jayden Dixon-Veal

• Kicker Abram Murray, Punter Michael Kern

• Longsnapper Rino Monteforte (Kansas)