Cal Linebacker Cade Uluave in Portal, Luke Ferrelli to Clemson, TJ Bush Jr. to Minnesota
The California Golden Bears are going to have battles ahead to rework the linebacking room.
Some updates with some of Cal’s top transfer portal entries. Cal linebacker Cade Uluave has officially filed his papers, with a do-not-contact sign.
While there is still hope Uluave can return as mentioned in Pete Thamel’s initial report — Louisville running back Isaac Brown entered the portal with a do-not-contact and then eventually returned to the Cardinals — entering the portal officially does make the battle that much harder. The good news with a do-not-contact sign is the list is probably pretty short in terms of schools that Uluave is considering, so Cal can hone in on the competition and hopefully make a good offer.
Luke Ferrelli has made a decision that will bring him back to Berkeley — in a road uniform. Ferrelli visited and nearly instantly decided that Clemson was where he wants to be.
This is no doubt one of the toughest blows so far in this transfer portal cycle, as Ferrelli was slated to be a potential starter next season given his production and ability. But Cal can’t win every battle, and the potential changes in defensive scheme might not have quite fit what Ferrelli was looking for.
TJ Bush is the latest transfer to find a home in Minnesota. Bush’s havoc ability will be missed as he accounted for 16 big plays in sacks and tackles for loss. Cal is going to have to look hard for edge pressure and depth here to account for Bush’s departure, as the market for edge rushers is as robust as it’s ever been.
Ferrelli and Bush join Ryan McCulloch as the three Cal transfers that have found new homes.
Here’s an updated look at Cal portal news, incoming and outgoing.
Returning Bears
Cal transfer portal arrivals
Running back Adam Mohammed (via Washington)
Wide receiver Ian Strong (via Rutgers)
Tight end Dorian Thomas (via New Mexico)
Offensive tackle Jacob Arop (via South Dakota)
Edge Solomon Williams (via Texas A&M)
Safety Kingston Lopa (via Oregon)
Current transfers
Linebackers: Cade Uluave, Harrison Taggart (Clemson), Luke Ferrelli, Eze Osondu, Curlee Thomas, Buom Jock
Edges: TJ Bush (Minnesota), Ryan McCulloch (UCLA)
Defensive lineman: Nate Burrell, Ike Okafor
Defensive back: Cam Sidney, Kaden Cook
Running backs: Kendrick Raphael, Brandon High
Offensive linemen: Lajuan Owens, Jordan Spasojevic-Moko, Nick Morrow, Leon Bell, Braden Miller, Daveion Harley
Tight end: Landon Morris, Jacob Houseworth
Kicker: Abram Murray
Punter: Michael Kern
Quarterback: Devin Brown, EJ Caminong, Belay Brummel
Wide receiver: Dazmin James
Suggestion for Tosh. Hire a linebackers coach.
The portal gives, the portal takes. All hail the mighty portal!
Losing both Cade and Ferrelli is a huge bummer, hopefully we find suitable replacements.
We never got much in the way of pressure on any opposing QB, so I am hard pressed to cry any tears over Bush.
Oh well, next Bear up!