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Cal Football Recruiting

Isibor Down to Cal and Auburn, Almost Ready For Decision

May 12, 2022
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6-3/260 UCLA portal transfer OLB Odua Isibor was one of four portal transfer prospects on campus last weekend on official visits to Cal. Two -former ASU offensive guard Spencer Lovell and Montana State offensive tackle TJ Session are already committed and signed with Cal. Will the former Bruin be next?

As a redshirt junior playing as an undersized DT, Isibor totaled 14 tackles with 4.5 tackles for loss and 2 sacks on the season. As a redshirt frosh in 2018, isibor was a part-time starter at outside linebacker and a move to Cal would see him return to Cal at his more natural position to help boost Cal’s pressure potential on the edge in ‘22.

Isibor’s visit to Cal made a strong impression on him as he’s going down to the wire choosing between Cal and Auburn.

“It was really cool at Cal,” said Isibor. “I liked it. We toured the facilities, did a photo shoot, watched film, things like that. The players and coaches were cool. I really like the culture there. I thought they were very authentic and meant everything they said. They seemed like really good people.”

After spending time at DT in the last two seasons, Isibor plans to make a move to his more natural position at his next destination.

“I’d be playing outside linebacker at Cal,” said Isibor. “I think that's where my body type is more geared to. My pass rush and my experience are probably my two biggest strengths.”

If Isabor makes the move to Cal, he’d do so already holding an undergrad and master's degree and would enroll in one of Cal’s certificate programs.

“I already have my undergrad degree and am just wrapping up my master’s in Transformative Coaching and Leadership,” noted Isibor.

Besides Cal, Isibor made the trip down to Alabama and also enjoyed official visit to Auburn.

“That was cool, too,” said Isibor. “I like the culture there, as well. They’re nice people. Very family-oriented. It was nice. The campus, it’s still Auburn, Alabama so it’s obviously not the same as Cal would be but it was nice. It was homey.”

As for what will be driving his decision, he noted:

“I would say a good portion of it would be how successful I would be at football at my next school,” said Isibor. “Definitely life after football and what a new program could provide for me, where I could take advantage of their resources. Both programs do that very well, which makes the decision harder.”

With regard to playing time opportunity, Isibor talked about the situations he’d be walking into with both programs.

“I know for a fact that they have two guys at Auburn returning who started last year who are pretty good,” said Isibor. “They also moved a few guys, including a tight there. I think I could come in and make an impact immediately. And then at Cal, I think they only have one or two experienced guys on the outside.”

With slots dwindling and time a big factor at both Cal and Auburn, Isibor is looking to make a decision on a short timeline.

“Hopefully soon,” said Isibor. “When I know, I’d like to decide then and there.”

Stay tuned for the latest on Isibor’s decision in the coming days.

More stories:

Bears Make Another Big OL Portal Addition in Lovell

Bears Make a Key Addition With Portal Transfer OT TJ Session

Discussion from...

Isibor Down to Cal and Auburn, Almost Ready For Decision

13,331 Views | 38 Replies | Last: 2 yr ago by MoragaBear
GivemTheAxe
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Cal_79 said:

gardenstatebear said:

calumnus said:

gardenstatebear said:

MoragaBear said:

gardenstatebear said:

He's going to switch from defensive tackle to outside linebacker? That strikes me as quite a transformation for anyone, let alone someone old enough to be a senior. UCLA must have really misjudged this young man if he is now thought to be a potential linebacker.
From the story:

As a redshirt junior playing as an undersized DT, Isibor totaled 14 tackles with 4.5 tackles for loss and 2 sacks on the season. As a redshirt frosh in 2018, isibor was a part-time starter at outside linebacker and a move to Cal would see him return to Cal at his more natural position to help boost Cal's pressure potential on the edge in '22.
confirms my point. He was an outside linebacker as a redshirt frosh, and was a DT as redshirt junior. The assumption must be that UCLA made a mistake in switching him and that he can change back now. I hope that works out, but it still strikes me as quite a change.


The area I am most confident in our coaching staff, including our head coach, is coaching linebackers.
Fine. Let's hope we're right in our evaluation and that UCLA was wrong.

What's not to like about a player that's athletic enough to play OLB and robust enough to play DT?

Amen to this.
He is good enough to play either position.
He played at OLB as a RS Frosh. To me that means he has some quickness or speed.
He played at DT. To me that means he is strong.
I believe he gives us depth at either position
With the excellent Defensive coaching staff, I trust them to develop his skills primarily at OLB where I think he will shine based upon all that has been said.

Great addition to the Defense. Quality Depth is what is needed later in the season as injuries and physical exhaustion take their toll on the players.
dimitrig
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Looks like a fine player.

What will he be studying here?



MoragaBear
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Staff
dimitrig said:


Looks like a fine player.

What will he be studying here?
He's going to be choosing between one of the certification programs. He already has his Master's.
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