Cal lands North Texas transfer quarterback Chandler Rogers

The California Golden Bears now have two capable signal-callers to battle for the starting spot in 2024, as Rogers will compete with Fernando Mendoza.

Via Chandler Rogers Twitter

Cal needed new blood in the transfer portal at quarterback after the departures of Ben Finley and Sam Jackson V, and they found a very experienced replacement.

Chandler Rogers, one of the major targets of the 2023 portal cycle, is coming to Cal. Rogers has one year of eligibility remaining.

In 2023 in North Texas, Rogers put up a 3382 yard, 29 touchdown performance, completing 62% of his passes (262 completions on 421 attempts). Rogers played a few snaps against Cal in the season opener but was backing up Stone Earle to start the season. Rogers finished in the top 10 nationally in passing touchdowns and the top 20 in passing yards; his passer rating of 150 placed him 34th in the nation.

In his two previous seasons, Rogers played at Louisiana Monroe, putting up passer ratings of 137 (1311 passing yards, 7.3 ypa, 9 TD, 3 INT) and 141 (216-320, 67%, 2403 passing yards, 7.5 YPA, 15 TD, 7 INT). Rogers was sought out as a top transfer quarterback target last season, but eventually chose North Texas, and Cal went with Jackson as their top QB addition.

Here’s some highlights of the closing minutes against Memphis, where Rogers nearly engineered a comeback win.

More from Rogers on his decision via On3:

“Cal has a really great team coming back. I have a great relationship with the current coaches there and they plan for me to succeed. They have a great tradition of players that have come through. If you look at their facilities they want for nothing which is huge. They are going to the ACC which is a great conference to play in, being able to play p5 will allow me to showcase myself as one of the best QBs in the nation. Then you talk about the location of Berkeley , it’s right next to San Francisco and Oakland. There are truly a lot of things to do out there.”

Cal also has offered Rogers’s top target at North Texas, Ja’Mori Maclin (57 catches, 1,004 yards, 11 touchdowns) Maclin has over a dozen Power 5 offers since entering the portal.

Cal should have now two steady options at quarterback going into ACC play. Fernando Mendoza will have eight starts under his belt with this squad, and has proven to be capable enough against stiff competition, winning his last three games.

Although he will have some work to do to catch up to the rising Mendoza, Rogers has three years of G5 experience. These are two great options to choose from. Hopefully it leads to a great spring battle where both push each other to get better.

Welcome to Cal Chandler!