TJ would be too bad to lose, but just in the limited search I’ve done of the players so far declared for the transfer portal (very few) there are already a couple of “edge rushers” who are rated 93-95. TJ would have been an 88-89 and unproven at P4 level. Have no idea if these 92+ edge guys can satisfy Cal’s academic standards but just sayin there are already some studs out there to recruit.
so excited. I keep checking to see if there are rumors of CAL wooing or signing transfers... knowing full well the period hasn't even started yet... can't wait.
I feel like, if Cal is truly all-in on football, then the linemen that will need to be persuaded ($$$) to come to Cal will have to arrive fully formed. Making a sizable offer to a current or transfer player who comes with the bio "If he can put it together athletically..." will not get us to the promised land.
It seems the NCAA cap of $20.5 is already being broken. With some schools targeting spends on football alone up to $30 million according to this piece from the NYTimes. Cal certainly cannot compete at that $$$ for the top players. Let's see how it goes . We need help on OL, but OL linemen get big money just like in the NFL.....https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6914668/2025/12/27/college-nil-revenue-sharing-house-settlement-coaches/
Financially Cal can compete at that level. They have the donor capability - but to do so would push the envelope and go beyond the parameters of the House Settlement. Other less scrupulous schools will absolutely do this ~ Cal will not
If you read the article, we are not just talking about less scrupulous schools. It has always been the case that a few bad seeds just break the rules. But there appear to be many grey areas that allow schools to spend significantly higher than the $20 million and stay within the NCAA guidelines (although perhaps not the spirit of the law). Penn State is one of the schools mentioned planning to spend up to $30 million on players and another $17 million on coaches. Cal with a reduced ACC payout, not much TV revenue and lots of empty seats, cannot compete financially at that level, unless some big donors really step up. Just now we remain stuck in the the middle of the pack, with many other schools. I am hopeful that our new coaching team can improve our recruiting powers, but much of this now is handled by agents and they paid more if their clients get paid more. Just like in professional sports, which is what college FB/BB are today. Portal opens next week, we will see soon enough.
Don’t really need to read the article - it’s behind a paywall regardless. None of this is really news tho, don. Revenue was always part of the equation beyond the $20M, an advantage for the blue bloods, and it’s why these changes were needed. IIRC when it initially was announced this was never really going to truly level the playing field.
Cal needed to upgrade on both the offensive and defensive lines.
This is a good start.
TJ would be too bad to lose, but just in the limited search I’ve done of the players so far declared for the transfer portal (very few) there are already a couple of “edge rushers” who are rated 93-95. TJ would have been an 88-89 and unproven at P4 level. Have no idea if these 92+ edge guys can satisfy Cal’s academic standards but just sayin there are already some studs out there to recruit.
Btw, just looked on line at TJ’s transfer portal rating…..it’s 82
so excited. I keep checking to see if there are rumors of CAL wooing or signing transfers... knowing full well the period hasn't even started yet... can't wait.
Yes, focus on the lines!! Next would be D. After this sure handed, fast target for JKS.
I feel like, if Cal is truly all-in on football, then the linemen that will need to be persuaded ($$$) to come to Cal will have to arrive fully formed. Making a sizable offer to a current or transfer player who comes with the bio "If he can put it together athletically..." will not get us to the promised land.
Looks like Luke Ferrelli is hitting the portal to chase that bag.
https://x.com/PeteThamel/status/2006542410038591512
We (Cal) should make him a good offer to stay. Good ILB's are the heart of the run defense. He's only a frosh so he'll only get better.
TJ is a loss but everyone else that's went into the portal so far doesn't matter much if at all
It matters a big time. It frees up roster spots for better players.
It seems the NCAA cap of $20.5 is already being broken. With some schools targeting spends on football alone up to $30 million according to this piece from the NYTimes. Cal certainly cannot compete at that $$$ for the top players. Let's see how it goes . We need help on OL, but OL linemen get big money just like in the NFL.....https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6914668/2025/12/27/college-nil-revenue-sharing-house-settlement-coaches/
Financially Cal can compete at that level. They have the donor capability - but to do so would push the envelope and go beyond the parameters of the House Settlement. Other less scrupulous schools will absolutely do this ~ Cal will not
If you read the article, we are not just talking about less scrupulous schools. It has always been the case that a few bad seeds just break the rules. But there appear to be many grey areas that allow schools to spend significantly higher than the $20 million and stay within the NCAA guidelines (although perhaps not the spirit of the law). Penn State is one of the schools mentioned planning to spend up to $30 million on players and another $17 million on coaches. Cal with a reduced ACC payout, not much TV revenue and lots of empty seats, cannot compete financially at that level, unless some big donors really step up. Just now we remain stuck in the the middle of the pack, with many other schools. I am hopeful that our new coaching team can improve our recruiting powers, but much of this now is handled by agents and they paid more if their clients get paid more. Just like in professional sports, which is what college FB/BB are today. Portal opens next week, we will see soon enough.
Don’t really need to read the article - it’s behind a paywall regardless. None of this is really news tho, don. Revenue was always part of the equation beyond the $20M, an advantage for the blue bloods, and it’s why these changes were needed. IIRC when it initially was announced this was never really going to truly level the playing field.
We have advantage of size and elite academics, which translates into a massive donor base. The donors need to be incentivized to invest, that’s all.
Cal can easily financially compete at that level but won’t for reasons Jimmy articulates below