Cal Football Transfer Portal Visitors This Week Include Local QB, Talented Running Backs
Cal will potentially need to rebuild their running back room.
With both Kendrick Raphael and Brandon High looking at all their options in the transfer portal, the California Golden Bears will potentially need to restock their running back room for the second year in a row. It’ll be a paramount task for running backs coach Keith Bhonapha to replenish this room.
Washington transfer Adam Mohammed made his commitment to Cal this weekend after his visit, giving Tosh Lupoi a potential starter at running back.
Some more running backs are also taking trips. Here’s a look:
Ashten Emory - Running back - UTEP
Emory played most of 2025 with a cast on his arm, and still earned All-Freshman honors and led UTEP in rushing. This would be an excellent 1-2 punch with Mohammed in terms of proven production at the FBS level. Emory is on his official visit in Berkeley right now.
Carter Vargas - Running back - UC Davis
Vargas caught the eye of several major programs when he put up 445 yards on 67 carries for 5 touchdowns for UC Davis this year before injuries sidelined him for the final month and a half. Vargas visited LSU this past weekend, and reportedly was at Cal earlier this week, and he will spend time with Oregon, LSU and Michigan State as well. It’ll be another huge portal battle, but maybe Vargas can be sold on a program that runs closer to home? Cal has had success with many of its recent FCS pickups.
Tristan Ti’a - Quarterback - Oregon State
With Devin Brown and EJ Caminong exploring their options, Cal is in need of a second quarterback in their depth chart, and what better prospect than a local one. Ti’a played at Amador Valley in Pleasanton, where he was a four-star prospect coming out of high school and was the crown jewel of last year’s class. Ti’a completed 37 for 53 passes for 385 yards and 3 TDs in his three games he played at Oregon State, starting against Washington State (240 yards, 1 TD, 28-41). Ti’a will be heading to Auburn afterward, so it might again be a question of whether locality vs. national exposure is what Ti’a is looking for.
Mykeal Rabess - Offensive lineman - FIU
Let’s not forget the linemen! Rabess appears to be a top target from the offensive line perspective. Rabess had a good reputation for his pass protection, which the Bears will need loads of for the coming season. Cal already landed offensive tackle Jacob Arop, and overhauling the line is now priority #1.
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)
Returning Bears
Confirmed Cal transfer portal visitors
Crazy the schools Carter Vargas is also being offered by. I watched quite a few Davis games this last year (Go Ags) and was impressed, but didn't think he would garner offers from the likes of Oregon or LSU.
That being said, need more OL
Barksdale is off the board; he's joining Chesney at UCLA
Plenty of DBs still in the portal, so ideally we'll land at least 2 CBs and a S