Cal Offensive Linemen Sioape Vatikani Announces Return

The Bears have several decent experienced linemen returning.

Credit: Cal Football

Offensive guard Sioape Vatikani confirmed his return to Berkeley in a post earlier this week. The California Golden Bears get experience upfront. Vatikani started 9 of Cal’s 13 games last season at right guard, and also saw backup snaps against Stanford.

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Vatikani should join Bastian Swinney, Frederick Williams and Tyson Ruffins upfront as returning starting contributors for next season. The four Golden Bear linemen should bring 2300+ snaps of experience along with them, which should give Famika Anae some leeway. Cal should have a transfer portal class that also brings Jimothy Lewis (via Mississippi State), Mykeal Rabess (via Florida International), Kahli Tafai (via Minnesota), Ashton Rivera (via Kent State), Jacob Arop coming from the portal.

Along with these returning Bears, Cal is welcoming an offensive line recruiting class that includes Daniel McMorris, Esaiah Wong, Kamo’i Huihui-White, Elisha Faamatuainu and Roger Vanderhoef. Also keep an eye out on the true/redshirt freshmen and sophomores, like Michael Kliesiewicz, Ben Howard, Justin Hasenhuetl, and Aiden Newbill.

Cal transfer portal arrivals

• Quarterback Jackson Brousseau (via Colorado State)

• Running backs Adam Mohammed (via Washington), Carter Vargas (via UC Davis), Ashten Emory (via UTEP)

• Wide receivers Ian Strong (via Rutgers), Chase Hendricks (via Ohio), Cooper Perry (via Oregon)

• Tight end Dorian Thomas (via New Mexico)

• Offensive linemen Jimothy Lewis (via Mississippi State), Mykeal Rabess (via Florida International), Kahli Tafai (via Minnesota), Ashton Rivera (via Kent State), Jacob Arop (via South Dakota)

• Defensive linemen Jericho Johnson (via Oregon), Justin Beadles (via Louisville), Ashun Shepphard (via Mississippi State), Jayden Williams (via North Texas)

• Edges Solomon Williams (via Texas A&M), Emmanuel Okoye (via Tennessee), Joshua Pierce (via North Texas)

• Linebackers Tristan Jernigan (via Texas A&M), Kamar Mothudi (via Oregon), AJ Tuitele (via USC)

• Cornerbacks Ricky Fletcher (via Ole Miss), Daniel Harris (via Georgia)

• Safeties Kingston Lopa (via Oregon), Michael Hurst Jr. (via Northern Arizona)

• Punter Angus Davies (via Tulsa), Kicker Towns McGough (via Auburn)

Announced returning Bears

• Quarterback EJ Caminong (withdrew from portal)

• Tight end Mason Mini

• Wide receiver Mark Hamper

• Offensive linemen Frederick Williams III, Bastian Swinney, Sioape Vatikani

• Defensive linemen Derek Wilkins, Nate Burrell (withdrew from portal)

• Edge Jayden Wayne

• Defensive backs Isaiah Crosby, Cam Sidney

• Kicker Chase Meyer (withdrew from portal)

Cal transfer portal departures

• Linebackers Cade Uluave (BYU), Luke Ferrelli (Clemson), Harrison Taggart (Utah State), Eze Osondu (UTSA), Buom Jock (Wake Forest), Curlee Thomas (North Texas)

• Defensive linemen TJ Bush (Minnesota), Ike Okafor (Washington State)

• Edge Ryan McCulloch (UCLA)

• Running back Brandon High (UTSA)

• Offensive linemen Lajuan Owens (Central Arkansas), Nick Morrow (Kansas), Leon Bell (Colorado), Braden Miller (Duke), Daveion Harley (Florida International), Jordan Spasojevic-Moko, Syris Corley

• Tight end Landon Morris (Wake Forest), Ben Marshall (Austin Peay)

• Quarterbacks Devin Brown (Weber State), Belay Brummel

• Defensive back Kaden Cook (Jacksonville State)

• Wide receivers Dazmin James (Appalachian State), Jaiven Plummer (Georgia Tech), Jayden Dixon-Veal

• Kicker Abram Murray, Punter Michael Kern

• Longsnapper Rino Monteforte (Kansas)