Cal Football Transfer: AJ Tuitele, Linebacker From USC

The California Golden Bears have almost completely fulfilled all their needs in the transfer portal.

The California Golden Bears have been busy this long holiday weekend as the transfer portal winds down, and it culminated with a major coup from Southern California. Linebacker AJ Tuitele transferred from USC to Cal, and will bid for immediate playing time in the Cal linebacking corps.

Originally hailing from North Las Vegas, Tuitele was a productive high school player in 2024. He recorded 167 tackles, including 37 for loss (with 4 sacks) in his senior campaign before joining the Trojans. Tuitele did not play much with USC this year, so he retains all four years of eligibility. On the leaner side at 6-2, 215 pounds, there should be some positional flexibility that Tosh Lupoi and Michael Hutchings can figure out where to best utilize him.

@atuitele_07

Aj Tuitele on Instagram: "🐻

#ag2g #gobears🐻"

With Kamar Mothudi and Tristan Jernigan also inbound, along with a host of edges who can play at OLB, Cal should have plenty of linebacking talent competing for starting spots with Aaron Hampton and a host of the young Cal talent.

Cal transfer portal arrivals

• Quarterback Jackson Brousseau (via Colorado State)

• Running back Adam Mohammed (via Washington)

• Running back Carter Vargas (via UC Davis)

• Running back Ashten Emory (via UTEP)

• Wide receiver Ian Strong (via Rutgers)

• Wide receiver Chase Hendricks (via Ohio)

• Wide receiver Cooper Perry (via Oregon)

• Tight end Dorian Thomas (via New Mexico)

• Offensive lineman Jimothy Lewis (via Mississippi State)

• Offensive lineman Mykeal Rabess (via Florida International)

• Offensive lineman Kahli Tafai (via Minnesota)

• Offensive lineman Ashton Rivera (via Kent State)

• Offensive lineman Jacob Arop (via South Dakota)

• Defensive lineman Jericho Johnson (via Oregon)

• Defensive lineman Justin Beadles (via Louisville)

• Defensive lineman Ashun Shepphard (via Mississippi State)

• Edge Solomon Williams (via Texas A&M)

• Edge Emmanuel Okoye (via Tennessee)

• Edge Joshua Pierce (via North Texas)

• Linebacker Kamar Mothudi (via Oregon)

• Linebacker AJ Tuitele (via USC)

• Linebacker Tristan Jernigan (via Texas A&M)

• Cornerback Ricky Fletcher (via Ole Miss)

• Cornerback Daniel Harris (via Georgia)

• Safety Kingston Lopa (via Oregon)

• Safety Michael Hurst Jr. (via Northern Arizona)

• Punter Angus Davies (via Tulsa)

• Kicker Towns McGough (via Auburn)

Confirmed returning Bears

• Quarterback EJ Caminong (withdrew from portal)

• Tight end Mason Mini

• Wide receiver Mark Hamper

• Offensive tackle Frederick Williams III

• Center Bastian Swinney

• Defensive lineman Derek Wilkins

• Defensive lineman Nate Burrell (withdrew from portal)

• Edge Jayden Wayne

• Defensive back Isaiah Crosby

• Defensive back Cam Sidney

• Kicker Chase Meyer (withdrew from portal)

Cal transfer portal departures

• Linebacker Cade Uluave (BYU)

• Linebacker Luke Ferrelli (Clemson)

• Linebacker Harrison Taggart

• Linebacker Eze Osondu

• Linebacker Buom Jock (Wake Forest)

• Linebacker Curlee Thomas (North Texas)

• Defensive lineman TJ Bush (Minnesota)

• Defensive lineman Ike Okafor

• Edge Ryan McCulloch (UCLA)

• Running back Brandon High (UTSA)

• Offensive lineman Lajuan Owens

• Offensive lineman Nick Morrow (Kansas)

• Offensive lineman Leon Bell

• Offensive lineman Braden Miller (Duke)

• Offensive lineman Daveion Harley

• Offensive lineman Jordan Spasojevic-Moko

• Tight end Landon Morris (Wake Forest)

• Quarterback Devin Brown (Weber State)

• Quarterback Belay Brummel

• Defensive back Kaden Cook

• Wide receiver Dazmin James

• Wide receiver Jaiven Plummer

• Kicker Abram Murray

• Punter Michael Kern

• Longsnapper Rino Monteforte (Kansas)

• Wide receiver Jayden Dixon-Veal

• Tight end Ben Marshall