Report: Cal QB Sam Jackson V Enters Transfer Portal
Sam Jackson V, who began the 2023 season as Cal's starting quarterback, has entered the transfer portal, according to On3 and Rivals.
Ben Finley, who along with Jackson were the backups behind redshirt freshman Fernando Mendoza over the second half of the season, also entered the transfer portal two weeks ago. That would leave the Bears without a backup quarterback on scholarship in the Independence Bowl. However, Justin Wilcox has said that some Cal players in the portal may stay with Cal for the bowl game. It suggests that Jackson or Finley will stay with the team through the bowl game and be Mendoza's backup.
One high school quarterback, EJ Caminong, has committed to Cal for 2024, and he apparently remains committed to Cal despite the departure of Cal offensive coordinator Jake Spavital to Baylor. Cal may be looking for another quarterback from the transfer portal.
Jackson transferred to Cal from TCU this past offseason, and he won a three-player competition to become the Bears' starting quarterback in the 2023 opener against North Texas.
Cal won that game 58-21 and Jackson threw a first-quarter touchdown pass in that contest, but he was injured in the first half, and Ben Finley played the rest of the game.
Finley started the second game, a 14-10 loss to Auburn, although Jackson replaced Finley during that game and was more productive than Finley had been even though Jackson threw two interceptions against Auburn.
Jackson started the third game against Idaho and the fifth game against Arizona State. Cal was 3-0 in the games Jackson started, but in the sixth game, against Oregon State, Mendoza got his first start, and Mendoza has remained the Bears' starting quarterback ever since.
Jackson was not available for the last several games of the season because of an undisclosed injury.
Jackson played in five games, including two in which he replaced starter Ben Finley, and completed 52.6%of his passes for 556 yards, five touchdowns and two interceptions. He also ran the ball 26 times (including sacks) for 59 net yards.
He had a passer rating of 113.61 for the season. Mendoza has a passer rating of 134.02 entering Saturday's Independence Bowl against Texas Tech.
Jackson is expected to have three years of eligibility remaining.
Cover photo of San Jackson V by Robert Edwards, USA TODAY Sports
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