Cal Football Transfer Recap: Who’s Coming In and Who’s Leaving

Cal adds transfer quarterbacks Jaron Keawe Sagapolutele, Devin Brown. QB Fernando Mendoza is the most significant Cal departure
Mikey Matthews commits to UCLA
Mikey Matthews commits to UCLA / Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

This is a good time to recap which Cal football players have entered the transfer portal so far, and which players are transferring to Cal.

The winter window for football players to enter the transfer portal ends today (Saturday, December 28). Players cannot enter the transfer portal after Saturday until the transfer window opens again in April, although it’s possible that a player could have entered the transfer portal before December 28 and his transfer notice has not become public yet.

The one exception is for players whose head coach has left their program. Those players can enter the transfer portal within 30 days of the coach’s departure.

Players who are already in the transfer portal can visit prospective colleges and commit to another program at any time.

Cal transfer Mikey Matthews announced last week that he has committed to UCLA, and freshman Josiah Martin announced this week that he has committed to Oklahoma.

Cal is still looking to bring in at least one quarterback transfer, and with Jason Keawe Sagapolutele reportedly set to transfer from Oregon, Cal may have another chance to land the highly touted Hawaiian quarterback.

but here’s a rundown of Cal’s transfer moves in and out so far:

Cal players who entered the transfer portal, their class in 2024, and where they’re headed

Quarterback Fernando Mendoza, third-year sophomore. New School: Indiana

Outside linebacker David Reese: New School: Syracuse

Wide receiver Nyziah Hunter, redshirt freshman. New School: Nebraska.

Wide receiver Mikey Matthews, sophomore. New School: UCLA

Quarterback Chandler Rogers, senior. New School: Undecided

Safety Brooklyn Cheek, freshman. New School: Wyoming

Tight end J.T. Byrne, redshirt junior. New School: Georgia Tech

Wide receiver Josiah Martin, freshman. New School: Oklahoma

Offensive lineman Matthew Wykoff, redshirt junior. New School: Houston

Long-snapper David Bird, sophomore. New School: Alabama

Defensive back Matthew Littlejohn. New School: Cal (reportedly withdrew from the transfer portal)

Punter Bobby Engstler, freshman. New School: Arkansas State

Tight end/linebacker Nate Rutchena, redshirt junior. New School: UC Davis

Kicker Derek Morris, freshman. New School: Massachusetts

Transfers from other colleges who have committed to Cal, their class in 2024, and their previous college.

Quarterback Jaron Keuwe Sagapolutele, incoming freshman. Previous college: Oregon (enrolled at Oregon in December 2024, then entered transfer portal)

Quarterback Devin Brown, junior. Previous college: Ohio State.

Wide receiver/punt returner Jacob De Jesus, senior. Previous college: UNLV (De Jesus gets an extra year of eligibility because he played for a junior college for two seasons)

Wide receiver Dazmin James, redshirt freshman. Previous college: Arkansas

Safety Dru Polidore Jr., junior. Previous college: Montana State

Offensive lineman Leon Bell, junior. Previous college: Mississippi State

Offensive lineman Lamar Robinson, junior. Previous college: Georgia State

Offensive lineman Lajuan Owens, redshirt freshman. Previous college: New Mexico

Offensive lineman Tyson Ruffins, redshirt freshman. Previous college: Nevada

Defensive back Tristan Dunn, sophomore. Previous college: Washington

Cornerback Hezekiah Masses, junior. Previous college: Florida International

Cornerback Jaden Mickey, junior (but he redshirted the 2024 season). Previous college: Notre Dame

Defensive lineman Tyson Ford (played in two college games, both in 2023). Previous college: Notre Dame

Linebacker Buom Jock, sophomore. Previous college: Colorado State

Kicker Kyle Cunanan, sophomore. Previous college: Charlotte

Tight end Mason Mini, freshman. Previous college: Idaho

Punter Brook Honore, sophomore. Previous college: Arkansas State

Offensive lineman Jordan Spasojevic-Moko, redshirt junior. Previous college: Charlotte

Outside linebacker Jayden Wayne, sophomore. Previous college: Washington

Long-snapper Caleb Johnston. Previous college: Washington

Cal also added junior college transfer Odera Okaka, an edge from College of San Mateo, on signing day.

Cal received a commitment from College of San Mateo quarterback Dominic Ingrassia, College of San Mateo outside linebacker John Gayer, and College of San Mateo tight end Simon Mapa.

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Jake Curtis
JAKE CURTIS

Jake Curtis worked in the San Francisco Chronicle sports department for 27 years, covering virtually every sport, including numerous Final Fours, several college football national championship games, an NBA Finals, world championship boxing matches and a World Cup. He was a Cal beat writer for many of those years, and won awards for his feature stories.