Cal Football Transfer: Marquis Groves-Killebrew, Defensive Back From Arizona

The California Golden Bears need defensive back depth and they landed a nice talent from the Copper State.

Tosh Lupoi and the California Golden Bears continue their defensive-themed recruiting of the portal this week by nabbing a cornerback in Marquis Groves-Killebrew.

Marquis Groves-Killebrew@qfromtheville

🐻🐻🐻🐻 #GoBears

7:46 PM · Jan 13, 2026 · 329 Views

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Slotted as a cornerback for most of his time in college, the 6-0, 179 pound prospect originally signed with Texas A&M as a high school All-American. He then transferred to Louisville for a year before ending up in Arizona in 2024. Groves-Killebrew appeared in 10 games that season, making 26 tackles, breaking up four passes, and logging a sack. In 2025, he appeared in seven games and made seven tackles as a reserve before being sidelined with an injury.

Cal is losing their starting corners in Hezekiah Masses and Brent Austin, and Ja’ir Smith is potentially waiting on the JUCO extra year waiver decision, so Groves-Killebrew is likely the first of several cornerback commits to restock Cal’s Takers profile as he will contend with Jae’on Young and Khamani Hudson to start next season. But expect more cornerback transfer news in the near future.

Here’s an updated look at Cal portal movement.

Returning Bears

• Tight end Mason Mini

• Wide receiver Mark Hamper

• Offensive tackle Frederick Williams III

• Center Bastian Swinney

• Defensive lineman Derek Wilkins

• Edge Jayden Wayne

• Defensive lineman Nate Burrell

• Defensive back Isaiah Crosby

• Defensive back Cam Sidney

• Kicker Chase Meyer (withdrew from portal)

Cal transfer portal arrivals

• 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)

• Tight end Dorian Thomas (via New Mexico)

• Offensive lineman Jimothy Lewis (via Mississippi State)

• Offensive lineman Mykeal Rabess (via Florida International)

• Offensive tackle Jacob Arop (via South Dakota)

• Defensive lineman Justin Beadles (via Louisville)

• Defensive lineman Ashun Shepphard (via Mississippi State)

• Edge Solomon Williams (via Texas A&M)

• Linebacker Tristan Jernigan (via Texas A&M)

• Safety Kingston Lopa (via Oregon)

• Safety Michael Hurst Jr. (via Northern Arizona)

• Kicker Towns McGough (via Auburn)

Cal transfer portal departures

• Linebacker Cade Uluave (BYU)

• Linebacker Luke Ferrelli (Clemson)

• Linebacker Harrison Taggart

• Linebacker Eze Osondu

• Linebacker Buom Jock

• 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

• Quarterback EJ Caminong

• 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)