Cal Football Transfer: Kahli Tafai, Interior Offensive Lineman from Minnesota

More beef for the trenches

It’s been clear since the portal opened that it is a new day in Berkeley, California, and the hits just keep on coming. On the same day that promising Oregon wideout Cooper Perry committed to the Golden Bears, Lupoi and Co. also add a imposing 6’6” 340 pound lineman. Tafai, who originally played for Washington before transferring to Minnesota, has played both sides of the trenches, but he appears to be coming to Berkeley as another big blocker to protect JKS, joining a fleet of big fellas who joined the Bears in the portal.

Transfer Portal@TransferPortal

BREAKING: Minnesota transfer IOL Kahlee Tafai has signed with Cal, @PeteNakos reports🐻 on3.com/transfer-porta…

8:55 PM · Jan 14, 2026 · 46.1K Views

---

13 Replies · 57 Reposts · 448 Likes

Tafai was a sought after recruit coming out of high school, ranked the 52nd best player in California by Rivals, and the 64th offensive tackle in the nation. The Los Angeles native is redshirt sophomore, with two remaining years of eligibility. He played limited snaps for the Gophers last year but remains an intriguing prospect and an excellent depth piece as minimum. As you can see from the clip below, effort will never be an issue.

Returning Bears

• Tight end Mason Mini

• Wide receiver Mark Hamper

• Offensive tackle Frederick Williams III

• Center Bastian Swinney

• Defensive lineman Derek Wilkins

• Edge Jayden Wayne

• Defensive lineman Nate Burrell

• Defensive back Isaiah Crosby

• Defensive back Cam Sidney

• Kicker Chase Meyer (withdrew from portal)

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 tackle 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)

• Kicker Towns McGough (via Auburn)

Cal transfer portal departures

• Linebacker Cade Uluave (BYU)

• Linebacker Luke Ferrelli (Clemson)

• Linebacker Harrison Taggart

• Linebacker Eze Osondu

• Linebacker Buom Jock

• Linebacker Curlee Thomas (North Texas)

• Defensive lineman TJ Bush (Minnesota)

• Defensive lineman Ike Okafor

• Edge Ryan McCulloch (UCLA)

• Running back Brandon High (UTSA)

• Offensive lineman Lajuan Owens

• Offensive lineman Nick Morrow (Kansas)

• Offensive lineman Leon Bell

• Offensive lineman Braden Miller (Duke)

• Offensive lineman Daveion Harley

• Offensive lineman Jordan Spasojevic-Moko

• Tight end Landon Morris (Wake Forest)

• Quarterback Devin Brown

• Quarterback EJ Caminong

• Quarterback Belay Brummel

• Defensive back Kaden Cook

• Wide receiver Dazmin James

• Wide receiver Jaiven Plummer

• Kicker Abram Murray

• Punter Michael Kern

• Longsnapper Rino Monteforte (Kansas)