College Football Recruiting: Kicker Gabe Siemieniec reportedly enters transfer portal as a grad-transfer

California might be losing a kicker.

Redshirt-senior Gabe Siemieniec has reportedly entered the transfer portal according to Rivals.

Siemieniec contributed prominently to the 2017 and 2019 seasons as a redshirt freshman and junior, being our kicker for kickoffs. In 21 games, he kicked off 87 times, averaging 63.2 yards per kickoff with 45 touchbacks.

His listed major is in legal studies, so he presumably will be earning his degree in that field soon. Entering the transfer portal is not a commitment to transfer and some players use it to test the waters and evaluate other options.

If he does leave, then that would put California in untested waters for our kickers. With Greg Thomas finishing his eligibility last year, Siemieniec was our most-experienced kicker. The other two kickers on our Spring roster are Dario Longhetto and Nick Lopez. Longhetto punted thrice for the Golden Bears last year, but came in for two onside kick attempts in 2018; Lopez redshirted last year.

Earlier this month, TE Collin Moore reportedly entered the transfer portal as a grad transfer as well.

We wish Gabe the best of luck in deciding what’s best for his future and—if this is it for him in Berkeley—we thank him for his time with and contributions to the program.