The newest Cal transfer portal confirmed visits focus on the defensive line
The California Golden Bears will need some defensive talent.
Cal logged its biggest transfer of the season in Elite 11 quarterback Jaron Kaewe Sagapolutele, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t more holes to fill. Some new transfer portal updates for the California Golden Bears (Here’s the past update).
Washington defensive end Jayden Wayne committed this week, along with Charlotte offensive lineman Jordan Moko. Here are other visits on tap.
Virginia defensive end Ben Smiley is planning a trip to Cal, along with Iowa State and UConn. He played in 40 games with 12 starts in the last six seasons. Smiley grabbed 50 total tackles, 19 solos, 6.5 TFLs, and 3.5 sacks. In 2023, he logged 15 tackles, 3.5 TFLs, and two sacks, all of which were career-highs.
Texas State defensive line Tavian Coleman is planning to visit Purdue, Cal and Colorado. In the last two years, Coleman logged 52 tackles, tackles for loss, six sacks, forced two fumbles and two kick blocks. Coleman began his college career at Trinity Valley Community College (2020-21) before spending one year at Utah State (2022) and two at Texas State (2023-24).
Arkansas wide receiver Dazmin James is an up-and-coming star on the portal after his postseason output, and will visit Purdue, Oklahoma State, Utah, Mississippi State, finishing up with Cal. James had a great bowl performance with three catches, 137 yards and a touchdown against Texas Tech.
San Mateo JUCO tight end Simon Mapa received a Cal offer. Mapa was an All Bay-6 Conference TE, a member of the 2024 California Juco State Champs and has a 3.47 Overall GPA. Here’s his Hudl highlights.
Washington State defensive back Kapena Gushiken received a Cal offer. He visited Ole Miss this weekend and was also offered by Minnesota. Gushiken finished 2024 with 52 total tackles, two interceptions and a fumble recovery. In 2023, he logged 36 total tackles and a pick-six.
I graduated from Cal in the winter quarter of '79, but did not use up all my eligibility. Should I schedule a visit too? I get it that this is what Cal has to do to compete in the Portal-verse (folks on WFC call it leaning in), but the operation of the Portal is just crazy. Crazy bad. NCAA needs an overhaul, bigly!
Ben Smiley has played 6 seasons of CFB and still has eligibility.