I did think about Nohl, but I'm judging based on the reputation/quality of the player *at the time of commitment*. Nohl was a solid player - 2nd team MWC - but he took a major developmental/production step forward while at Cal. I'm confident that Strong was much highly sought at in the portal than Nohl was.
Okay fair point. 247 Ranking have Strong as 4 stars - 18th ranked WR. We def had more than a few four stars come our way in the portal over the years. Let's hope he turns out to be the best!
Keep an eye out for WR Brian Rowe, Jr. Had an official on Jan 3 and was offered. 4-star, just played his first season at South Carolina. Very athletic. On3 has him 100% to Cal, FWIW.
Got our first Oregon transfer! Kingston Lopa, sophomore safety. Product of Sacramento, CA. May be related to Puka Lopa since they went to same high school, but can't find anything yet.
I was gonna comment before this piece of wonderful news broke out. But I am not too concerned about the churn on the defensive side - after all we hired a defensive head coach. Regardless of whether he would bring players from Oregon, I expect us to be in reasonable shape on defense (at least personnel wise before next season). The question has always been on offense. We need a significant upgrade on the offense talent to have a remote chance to realize our dreams. This is a step in the right direction.
Agree. I think we're being quite strategic with pursuing and addressing key needs. No indication that Tosh's Oregon responsibilities are causing any sort of problem.
Still a lot of unknowns, but can't complain about what I'm seeing at this point.
I think we’re going to come out of the portal competition in good shape and are also bringing in some really good high school talent as well. It’s not rocket surgery to know what Cal needs to build an offense around JKS and Tosh is executing on that need in as superlative à fashion as he can — while continuing to coach Oregon to a potential national championship. We are at the dawn of a new era in Cal football. It won’t necessarily happen immediately but we are definitely on the way.
We are definitely going to come out of the portal in a better shape than when it started. Our talent is so bad that it will easily and definitely be better with Tosh's recruiting.
Even Uluave can be replaced. However losing Uluave just hurts from PR standpoint just like losing Ott last year.
Who are you thinking might be an addition to replace Uluave (and the other LB's in portal)? Seems like many of the best are going off the board fast. Guess I'm not as confident we'll get the number of quality additions as you are. Though I'm hopeful.
Being from New York, I bet Ike Hilliard had some extra gravitas. Ian, or more likely his family, probably remember Ike playing well for the Giants with Amani Toomer.
When I first saw Hilliard hired, I basically thought he was Toomer since I remembered there was a good Giants receiver of that era who went to De La Salle (Tosh's high school). Presumably there's a relationship there that helped connect Tosh to Hilliard
I think there's an argument that this is the single best transfer pickup for Cal football in the portal era.
I think JKS pickup is better!
This is technically correct, I bow to your exactitude
It's easy to forget that he's a transfer.
How quickly we forget. If he becomes a first team All American, we can compare his stats to Nohl Williams. But it is a good one nevertheless...
I did think about Nohl, but I'm judging based on the reputation/quality of the player *at the time of commitment*. Nohl was a solid player - 2nd team MWC - but he took a major developmental/production step forward while at Cal. I'm confident that Strong was much highly sought at in the portal than Nohl was.
Okay fair point. 247 Ranking have Strong as 4 stars - 18th ranked WR. We def had more than a few four stars come our way in the portal over the years. Let's hope he turns out to be the best!
I think you may need to adjust your rankings already :) 247 ranks Hendricks higher than Strong, just by a bit....
Cam Coleman, you're up next. Give me all the receivers.
The Internet would break
Internet couldn't contain the full power of the mighty Calgorithm?
Seriously break.
Big last 24 hours: Burrell, Arop, Williams, and now Strong. This is fun. Who's next?
Keep an eye out for WR Brian Rowe, Jr. Had an official on Jan 3 and was offered. 4-star, just played his first season at South Carolina. Very athletic. On3 has him 100% to Cal, FWIW.
Did Burrell stay with Cal?
Yes
Got our first Oregon transfer! Kingston Lopa, sophomore safety. Product of Sacramento, CA. May be related to Puka Lopa since they went to same high school, but can't find anything yet.
https://www.on3.com/rivals/kingston-lopa-153247/
F***king Tosh! Snatching safety recruits from Grant HS. Just had to say it but I’ll shut up now.
The pipeline still exists! Totally forgot Shaq was at Grant. Lmao
Also Syd'quan, Worrel Williams, Villami Moala
A quick search and their parents names are different so probably unrelated
OLB/S hybrid in Lanning/Tosh's system. Tweet by Biggins:
https://x.com/GregBiggins2/status/2008422758859026527
Also hopefully we'll get word re: another WR commit soon - Rowe or Hendricks?
Why not both? Anything's possible!
I was gonna comment before this piece of wonderful news broke out. But I am not too concerned about the churn on the defensive side - after all we hired a defensive head coach. Regardless of whether he would bring players from Oregon, I expect us to be in reasonable shape on defense (at least personnel wise before next season). The question has always been on offense. We need a significant upgrade on the offense talent to have a remote chance to realize our dreams. This is a step in the right direction.
Agree. I think we're being quite strategic with pursuing and addressing key needs. No indication that Tosh's Oregon responsibilities are causing any sort of problem.
Still a lot of unknowns, but can't complain about what I'm seeing at this point.
It looks like Hawaii and San Jose State WRs have signed elsewhere. This is a great pickup
LSU gave Jackson Harris a bag.
Isaiah Crosby is also coming back
Strong pickup
I think we’re going to come out of the portal competition in good shape and are also bringing in some really good high school talent as well. It’s not rocket surgery to know what Cal needs to build an offense around JKS and Tosh is executing on that need in as superlative à fashion as he can — while continuing to coach Oregon to a potential national championship. We are at the dawn of a new era in Cal football. It won’t necessarily happen immediately but we are definitely on the way.
We are definitely going to come out of the portal in a better shape than when it started. Our talent is so bad that it will easily and definitely be better with Tosh's recruiting.
Even Uluave can be replaced. However losing Uluave just hurts from PR standpoint just like losing Ott last year.
Who are you thinking might be an addition to replace Uluave (and the other LB's in portal)? Seems like many of the best are going off the board fast. Guess I'm not as confident we'll get the number of quality additions as you are. Though I'm hopeful.
Is Cade officially gone or just in the portal?
Cade officially entered the portal. Not gone yet
Right. Let’s let Tosh cook, hopefully Cade gets a bag to stay home.
Well said. Uluave was not a big impact player last season. Cal great for sure -- but he can be replaced.
The man's surname is not a lie! Can't wait to see what numbers he and JKS can put up!
I just saw that Oregon RB Jayden Limar entered the portal. Val offered him out of HS. Hopefully, Tosh is talking with him.
Being from New York, I bet Ike Hilliard had some extra gravitas. Ian, or more likely his family, probably remember Ike playing well for the Giants with Amani Toomer.
When I first saw Hilliard hired, I basically thought he was Toomer since I remembered there was a good Giants receiver of that era who went to De La Salle (Tosh's high school). Presumably there's a relationship there that helped connect Tosh to Hilliard
Cal finally has a certified dawg at WR. Here’s to hoping for Keenan Allen 2.0.