Cal Football Gets Third RB Transfer Commit: Ashten Emory from UTEP
The California Golden Bears now have rebuilt their running back room for the second year in a row.
For the second time in nine months, the California Golden Bears had to restock their running back room.
This switch seems to be going a lot more successfully. Cal identified and closed on three of their new running back targets in just over 24 hours.
Ashten Emory from UTEP took his trip to Berkeley earlier today, and made a firm commitment to the Bears. It was the second commitment today, with Carter Vargas (UC Davis transfer) also choosing to stay close to home at Cal. It was the third RB commitment in a two-day period, with Adam Mohammed (Washington transfer) choosing the new regime of Cal head coach Tosh Lupoi and the tutelage of running backs coach Keith Bonapaha.
Emory had 119 carries for 569 yards, a 4.8 yards per rush cadence, with four scores, leading UTEP in rush as part of their three-headed RB cohort. He also caught 16 passes for 103 yards and two touchdowns. At 5-11 and 210 pounds, Emory earned All-Freshmen Conference USA distinction for his production on a UTEP team that struggled to run the football. He even had to play with a broken hand in a cast for part of the season.
In two days, Cal now has a brand new running back room. Despite the losses of Kendrick Raphael and Brandon High, the Bears have now grabbed three running backs who combined for:
292 carries for 1537 yards and 14 touchdowns
43 catches for 418 yards and 2 TDs
In the first week of the transfer portal, Cal has added a lot of talent in that backfield to take the load off of Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele. Our next major targets on offense will likely be focused on the offensive line to give these new running backs room to succeed.
Welcome to Cal Ashten!
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)
Running back Carter Vargas (via UC Davis)
Running back Ashten Emory (via UTEP)
Offensive lineman Mykeal Rabess (via Florida International)
Taking a step back, while the day to day tick tock has been a blast to watch (I've even gone back on X...gulp), what has me even more excited is the big picture being drawn. We are ranked about #10 in the 24/7 portal rankings ( it changes hourly), and number 1 in the ACC. These ranking are not the result of high volume, but rather, the high quality of the players. To do this while our head coach is also in the natty race is astounding. Lots more to come no doubt, but so far my wildest expectations have been exceeded. Go Bears Forever baby!
Portal is running out of 4 star linemen. Hurryyyy