Cal Football: That Didn't Take Long - Bears Land Safety Patrick McMorris From the Portal

On the first day the transfer portal re-opened, Cal scored an accomplished veteran.

The NCAA football transfer portal was barely open for business Saturday when San Diego State safety Patrick McMorris turned it into a revolving door, dashing in and then out within a span of hours on his way to Cal.

As reported Saturday, the two-time All-Mountain West Conference standout and 2022 MWC co-Defensive Player of the Year has committed to Cal, adding depth and talent to an already solid secondary.

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McMorris, the younger brother of former Cal fullback and current Bears’ defensive graduate assistant Malik McMorris, won’t be the last newcomer coach Justin Wilcox welcomes out of the portal this spring.

Wilcox talked after the team’s spring game Saturday about how the Bears anticipate securing as many as eight new players through the portal, which is open for athletes to enter through April 30. There is no deadline for players to decide on their new school.

Cal offensive coordinator Jake Spavital, in the video at the top of this story, suggests the Bears could look somewhat different by the start of fall camp in early August.

The secondary got a key new face with the arrival of McMorris. He has played 42 college football games and last season totaled 61 tackles, five pass breakups and one interception.

As a junior in 2021, McMorris blossomed, leading the Aztecs with 90 tackles, nine pass breakups and four interceptions. He was a first-team all-conference selection each season.

The 6-foot, 210-pounder gives the coaching staff one more option in the defensive backfield. Cal starters at safety, as noted in their first spring depth chart released Saturday, are senior Craig Woodson and junior Miles Williams. McMorris is certain to push for a significant role.

Patrick McMorris / Photo courtesy of San Diego State Athletics

Prior to last season he was named to the watch lists for the Chuck Bednarik Award and the Bronko Nagurski Trophy.

As a senior at Santa Ana High School, McMorris led the team to a 10-3 record and league championship, contributing pretty much everywhere on the field. He rushed for 1,801 yards and 23 touchdowns, caught 17 passes for 375 yards and two more TDs, had 99 tackles and two interceptions on defense and returned eight punts for 187 yards, according to his San Diego State bio.

Cover photo of former San Diego State safety Patrick McMorris (33) by Kirby Lee, USA Today

Follow Jeff Faraudo of Cal Sports Report on Twitter: @jefffaraudo