Cal Signing Day: Bears Go Strong into Texas, Focusing on Linemen and DBs
Cal’s early 2024 football signing class was heavy on Texas prospects and focused on offensive and defensive linemen and defensive backs.
There were two signing-day surprises among the Bears' 22 signees:
Ja’ir Smith, who played this season at College of San Mateo, flipped from TCU at the last minute. And offensive lineman Syris Corley of Taylor, Texas, was a late commitment to the Bears after also considering offers from Boston College and Purdue.
The Bears continue to mine talent out of Texas, landing nine high school prospects along with transfer quarterback Chandler Rogers, who played this past season at North Texas.
“We’ve actually had a lot of success with Texas players joining our program,” Cal coach Justin Wilcox said. “Texas does a great job of developing their high school players. They invest in high school football down there. It’s been good for us.”
Cal signed five defensive backs, including Smith and fellow JC transfer Isaiah Crosby, a safety, and cornerback Marcus Harris, who comes from FCS-level Idaho.
The Bears also brought in five defensive linemen, three of them ends, two interior linemen. And they inked four offensive linemen, including Corley and FCS All-American Rush Reimer of Montana State.
Besides Rogers, Cal signed Seattle high school quarterback EJ Caminong. Wilcox said he expects the Bears to add one more QB before fall camp.
Rogers will be onboard for spring ball, where he will duel returning starter Fernando Mendoza, who generally played quite well in his redshirt freshman season but was turnover-prone late in the year.
“There’s always going to be competition. We brings guys in here for that reason. We’re trying to bring as many talented guys onto the roster and let the competition sort things out,” Wilcox said. “There’s going to be a pecking order to start with and then the competition will play itself out.”
The early signing period continues through Friday for high school prospects, although transfers, including junior college players, can sign through Jan. 15. The regular signing period runs from Feb. 7 through April 1.
BRETT JOHNSON UPDATE: Wilcox said defensive lineman Brett Johnson, who played all 12 regular-season games after missing two full seasons with hip and knee injuries, was unable to play in the Independence Bowl due to an injury. His status going forward is uncertain.
"We’ll see where that goes,” Wilcox said. “We’re talking with Brett daily. He’s got some things he’s working through. When it’s time to make an announcement, we’ll make an announcement. But nothing right now.”
Johnson, a fifth-year player, has another season of eligibility left and could transfer or enter the NFL draft.
WALK-ONS TO BE REWARDED: Wilcox all but said wide receiver Trond Grizzell and tight end Jack Endries — both walk-ons — will be get scholarships after breakout seasons.
“We want to reward the guys who have put the time in and earned the right to be on scholarship,” he said. “There will be some changes there and those two guys will be at the forefront of that. They’ve earned it and really proud of them. We’re going to continue to do that. We take the walk-on program very, very seriously.”
Grizzell had 39 catches for 593 yards and five touchdowns this season and Endries caught 35 passes for 408 yards and two scores.
CAL’S 2024 EARLY SIGNING CLASS
— DAYTON “DAYDAY” AUPUI (Saf 6-2, 160) Oxnard, CA: Listed by recruiting sites as an “athlete,” but will play safety for Cal. Needs to fill out, Wilcox said. Compiled 215 career tackles with 11 interceptions, three of which he returned for touchdowns. Playmaker forced seven fumbles and recovered five. Three-star prospect also was a sprinter on the track team. Will be a mid-year enrollee and play in spring practice.
— TEDDYE BUCHANAN (ILB 6-3, 237) UC Davis: Grad transfer earned second-team All-Big Sky honors this season. Buchanan had 71 tackles this fall.
— EJ CAMINONG (QB 6-2, 205) Seattle, WA: “We’ve recruited him a long time,” Wilcox said. “Obviously, that position there’s a lot of development and the transition to college . . . you never know exactly how that’s going to go with each individual. But he’s got the physical traits and we’re looking forward to getting him here.”
— BJ CANADY (DE 6-5, 235) Topeka, KS: Expected on campus mid-year and will participate in spring ball. “Kind of reminds us a little bit, body-type-wise of Xavier (Carlton). Will be on campus for spring football.
— BROOKLYN CHEEK (DB 6-2, 180): Modesto, CA: Played on three Central Catholic High teams that won league championships, contributing career totals of 152 tackles, two tackles for loss, nine interceptions, 23 pass breakups and one fumble recovery. His eventual position in the secondary with the Bears is still to be determined, Wilcox said.
— SYRIS CORLEY (OL 6-4 290) Taylor, TX: Three-star prospect was a signing-day commitment after also considering Purdue, Boston College and Texas San Antonio.
— ISAIAH CROSBY (Saf 5-10, 175) Athens, TX: As a sophomore this fall at Trinity Valley CC, had 41 tackles and five interceptions. “Really, really fast,” Wilcox said. Rated as high as the No. 3 JC safety in the recruiting class by On3 Consensus and 247Sports. Will enroll next month and be on campus for spring football.
— LUKE FERRELLI (OLB 6-3, 220) Carlsbad, CA: After flipping from Stanford earlier this month, Ferrelli intends to enroll early and be available for spring practice. Also played tight end in high school but projects as an outside linebacker for the Golden Bears. Playing for teams that were 31-4 over three seasons, had career totals of 132 tackles, 27.0 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks, one forced fumble, two fumbles recovered including one that he returned 57 yards for a touchdown as a junior, and 18 quarterback hurries. Will graduate mid-year, enroll at Cal in January and be on campus for spring ball.
— MARCUS HARRIS (CB 5-11, 185) University of Idaho: Portland native was a first-team All-Big Sky honoree. He had three interceptions this season giving him six over three seasons with the Vandals. His 2023 stats also included 51 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss and 10 pass breakups. Spent the 2019 and ’20 seasons at Oregon State. Will be on campus for spring football.
— CAMDEN JONES (TE 6-6 228) Pasadena, CA: Cal’s first commitment in this class, Jones is rated as a four-star prospect by 247Sports. Caught eight TDs this season. “He chose the school for the right reasons. Big, athletic guy,” Wilcox said. “He’s going to fit in, now we’ve got to help him develop. He’s every bit of 6-foot-6 and probably 240 pounds and he’s athletic. Really excited about Camden.”
— LEGEND JOURNEY (DT 6-2, 250) Arlington, TX: Had 21 tackles for loss including eight sacks as a senior. Consensus three-star prospect with a five-star name.
— AIDAN KEANAAINA (DT 6-3, 315) Notre Dame: Comes to Berkeley from South Bend as a graduate transfer. He missed much of the past two seasons after suffering a torn Achilles March of 2022 but was a four-star recruit out of Denver. “He’s real big, a smart guy,” Wilcox said. Expected to enroll in January and be available for spring practice.
— TYLER KNAPE (OL 6-4, 275): Austin TX: One of three Texas high school O-linemen to sign with the Bears, will arrive mid-year and be available for spring ball. Wilcox noted he currently is working through an injury. Played for powerhouse Westlake High School that compiled a record of 44-2 during his three varsity seasons and won the Texas state Division 2 title in 2021.
— JOSIAH MARTIN (WR 6-0, 170) Denton, TX: “He’s really quick shifty guy.” Martin grew up in Seattle-Tacoma area and knew Caminong when both were younger. “So there’s a connection there,” Wilcox said. “Adds an element of speed an quickness in that slot position.” Productive player who totaled 121 receptions, 1,806 receiving yards and 18 touchdowns in two seasons for teams with a combined record of 21-5.
— AIDAN NEWBILL (OL 6-8, 280) Austin TX: Flipped from Northwestern a week ago. Will be one of Cal’s tallest football players ever. “He’s a massive guy . . . humongous,” Wilcox said. “A real mature guy.”
— MICHAEL ANTHONY OKWURA (DE 6-3, 250) Houston TX: In two varsity seasons had 79 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks. Consensus three-star recruit.
— EZE OSONDU (DE 6-3, 215) Trophy Club, TX: As a senior this fall totaled 61 tackles, 13.0 tackles for loss and 4.0 sacks for a team that was 13-1. Had 12 career sacks. Will enroll mid-year and be available for spring ball.
— RUSH REIMER (OL, 6-5, 300) Montana State: Reimer was a first-team All-Big Sky selection and a second-team FCS All-America pick. Played both guard and tackle at Montana State.
— CHANDLER ROGERS (QB, 6-2, 200) North Texas: Graduate transfer was rated the nation’s fifth-best quarterback in the transfer portal by College Football Network after completing 62 percent of his passes for 3,382 yds, with 29 touchdowns and just 5 interceptions for a 149.71 passer rating. Cal recruited him a year ago after two seasons at Louisiana Monroe. “He’s been a very productive player in college,” said Wilcox, alluding to Rogers’ 3,704 passing yards and 24 TDs at Louisiana Monroe. Began his career at Southern Miss, then played one season at Blinn JC in Texas. Has one season to play at Cal.
— TREVOR ROGERS (WR 6-3, 200) Lafayette, CA: Played for 3AA state champion Acalanes High School, and had 74 receptions for 1,231 yards and 16 touchdowns this fall. Career numbers: 155 receptions for 2,803 receiving yards with 36 TDs. “Trevor’s a really productive guy,” Wilcox said. “He’s got really good size and obviously comes from a really good program. We know him well and we’re excited about him. He’s a talented kid and we’re happy to keep a local guy home.” Brother played for Cal
— JA’IR SMITH (DB 6-1, 185) San Mateo, CA: Originally from Charlotte, NC, played at College of San Mateo and flipped to Cal from TCU on Wednesday. Had three interceptions this fall for an 11-2 team that reached the state championship game. Could play nickel or cornerback. Will be on campus mid-year.
— JAMAAL WILEY (RB 6-1, 220) Stafford, TX: During his three-year varsity career totaled 3,334 yards on 600 carries with 41 touchdowns. “A big running back, good football player,” Wilcox said. “Can carry the load.”
Cover photo of quarterback Chandler Rogers by Danny Wild, USA Today
Follow Jeff Faraudo of Cal Sports Report on Twitter: @jefffaraudo
