Thank you for the great summation of the new guys. I am looking forward to being at the first home game vs Auburn in September under the lights.
Photo by Twitter / Marquis Montgomery
Cal Football
The 2023 Summer Football Newcomers
A total of fifteen newcomers will matriculate to Cal this month (meaning they were NOT here this Spring) and will be additions to the roster that exited the spring as arguably the deepest and most talented in the Justin Wilcox era. These fifteen are a combination of high school and JC recruits alongside a few late transfer portal additions. Let’s look at each of them and their potential to impact the 2023 team.
Position: Safety
Height/Weight: 6’, 210
Class: RS Senior
Last School: San Diego State
Ranking: 4 Stars 247 Transfer Ranking (90)
Recruitment Heat: N/A
Scouting Report/Film: Patrick McMorris
Potential Impact: Very High (Likely Starter)
The two-time All-MWC safety is an immediate impact player. It would be a huge surprise if he doesn’t start vs. North Texas in September. His instincts, physicality, and athleticism will enable him to provide a seamless replacement for NFL draftee, Daniel Scott
Position: WR
Height/Weight: 6’4, 215
Class: Junior
Last School: Snow Community College
Ranking: 3 Stars 247 Composite (87), #3 JC WR by 247, and #10 JC WR by ESPN
Recruitment Heat: Very High (LSU, Texas A&M, Oregon, Penn State, Oklahoma)
Scouting Report/Film: TBD
Potential Impact: High
Montgomery was among the most highly pursued recruits in the Bears 2023 class and as a wide receiver, will enter a room that is likely to see as many as eight players in the rotation. Further, his ability to win in the red zone is something the Cal coaches covet. Despite his entering as a Junior, Montgomery enters Berkeley as more of an athlete than a polished player. How quickly he acclimates to the mental and physical aspects of playing in the Pac-12 remains to be seen.
Isaiah Ifanse
Position: Running Back
Height/Weight: 5’10, 205
Class: Senior
Last School: Montana State
Ranking: 3 Stars, (88), 247 Sports
Recruitment Heat: N/A
Scouting Report/Film: Isaiah Ifanse
Potential Impact: High
Ifanse gained nearly four thousand yards in his FCS career and will bring his rumbling, bowling ball style to the Bears backfield. He’ll compete for carries with Cardwell and Williams-Thomas as the backup to Jaydn Ott.
Position: WR
Height/Weight: 6’2, 195
Class: Freshman
Last School: Salinas High School
Ranking: 4 Stars 247 Sports (90); #39 Wide Receiver Nationally
Recruitment Heat: Medium (Washington, Oregon State, BYU)
Scouting Report/Film: Nyziah Hunter
Potential Impact: Medium/High
When you have Nyziah Hunter’s size, strength, and speed, you have an opportunity to be an immediate impact player. That’s especially true in Jake Spavital’s offense, which has a simpler playbook and a need for a deep WR room. Hunter did not run much of a route tree in high school and will need to show he’s got the maturity and focused mindset needed to be an impact freshman.
Position: Offensive Tackle
Height/Weight: 6’7, 335lbs
Class: Junior
Last School: East Los Angeles College
Ranking: 3 Stars, (84) 247 Sports, #6 Juco IOL by 247
Recruitment Heat: Low (Fresno State, Hawaii, Akron)
Scouting Report/Film: TBD
Potential Impact: Medium/High
On one hand, there’s no position on the field for the Bears with more of an opportunity for a newcomer to make the two deeps than offensive tackle. On the other, Tine has only played on the offensive line for two years. That said, Tine was a 1st team JC All-Conference performer in 2022 and 2nd team in 2021 as a freshman and has impressive measurables and athleticism. The ceiling is very high here though and the learning curve is likely to be steep.
Position: Running Back
Height/Weight: 5’10, 205
Class: Senior
Last School: Purdue
Ranking: (HIGH SCHOOL) 3 Stars, (87), 247 Sports, #42 Running Back
Recruitment Heat: N/A
Scouting Report/Film:
Potential Impact: Medium
Dorue was a highly productive receiver coming out of the backfield and a serviceable running back in Purdue’s spread offense. He’s a bit of a tweener in that he’s not a speed merchant nor a power back. Will provide some help on third down and be a reliable, experienced backup as a runner.
Position: Tight End
Height/Weight: 6’5, 220
Class: Freshman
Last School: Blackman High, Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Ranking: 3 Stars, (86) 247 Composite, #47 Tight End Nationally
Recruitment Heat: Medium/High (Washington, Pitt, Ole Miss, West Virginia)
Scouting Report/Film: Ben Marshall
Potential Impact: Medium
A dynamic athlete who can catch the ball and really run, Marshall fits an immediate need of adding a down-the-field receiving threat at tight end. He’s skinny and the current state of his blocking prowess may hold him back initially.
Position: Defensive Lineman
Height/Weight: 6’6, 270
Class: Junior
Last School: Independence CC, Kansas
Ranking: 3 Stars, (85), 247 Sports, #9 JC Defensive Lineman
Recruitment Heat: Low /Medium (Kansas State, Iowa State)
Scouting Report/Film: TBD
Potential Impact: Low/Medium
A super raw athlete with ideal size for a QB-sacking defensive lineman, normally you’d say Jalloh would be a surefire redshirt. However, he’s a JC transfer and a potential pass-rush threat, thus he’s someone that Cal will give every chance to prove he can contribute in the near term.
Position: Tailback
Height/Weight: 5’10, 175lbs
Class: Freshman
Last School: McClymonds
Ranking: 3 Stars, (87) 247 Sports, #55 Running Back nationally
Recruitment Heat: Low (Army, Rice, San Jose State)
Scouting Report/Film: Jaivan Thomas
Potential Impact: Low
Thomas likely will need a year in Cal’s strength and conditioning program to add some needed weight and muscle to his frame. He also enters a crowded and experienced RB room. Becoming a more refined pass catcher and pass protector will also be on his list of immediate challenges, likely as a part of the Bears’ scout team. His best opportunity might be on special teams, as a returner and gunner.
Position: Defensive Lineman
Height/Weight: 6’3, 265lbs
Class: Freshman
Last School: Bishop Amat, La Puente
Ranking: 3 Stars, (87) 247 Sports, #93 Defensive Lineman nationally
Recruitment Heat: Very High (Georgia, Florida State, Michigan, Miami, Ole Miss)
Scouting Report/Film: TBD
Potential Impact: Low
The bull-strong Afalava’s recruiting rankings belied his star-studded offer list. He’s tremendously strong and active and normally, might have a chance to follow Nate Burrell as an impact freshman. This year's DL room is likely too deep for Tiumalu to make that happen though the medium-term projection is very promising.
Position: Inside Linebacker
Height/Weight: 6’1, 225lbs
Class: Freshman
Last School: Mountain Ridge High, Utah
Ranking: 3 Stars, (86) 247 Sports, #74 Linebacker nationally
Recruitment Heat: Low/Medium (UCLA, Washington State, Duke, San Diego State)
Scouting Report/Film: Cade Uluave
Potential Impact: Low
Uluave is a prototypical ILB and brings a nice blend of quickness and physicality to the position. It’s a deep and experienced room in 2023, leaving Cade with a likely redshirt year where he can take the time to learn Peter Sirmon’s system and acclimate himself to life in Berkeley.
Position: Offensive Lineman
Height/Weight: 6’5, 260lbs
Class: Freshman
Last School: Serra, Gardena, CA
Ranking: 3 Stars, (86) 247 Sports
Recruitment Heat: Medium (Washington, Boston College, Colorado)
Scouting Report/Film: Frederick Williams
Potential Impact: Low
One of the true under-the-radar gems in the Bears’ 2023 class, the converted OL was playing WR for his HS team just two short seasons ago. He’s got a great wingspan and the frame to easily play at 300 lbs+. He’ll need time to fill out and perhaps even more cycles to master playing on the offensive line.
Position: Defensive Back
Height/Weight: 6’, 175
Class: Freshman
Last School: Rancho Cotate High, Rohnert Park, CA
Ranking: 3 Stars, (87) 247 Sports, #72 Cornerback Nationally
Recruitment Heat: Low/Medium (Washington, UNLV, Army, Air Force)
Scouting Report/Film: Sailasa Vadrawale
Potential Impact: Low
The North Bay product excelled on both sides of the ball at WR as well as DB and wreaked havoc on special teams with several blocks and touchdown returns. With the Bears’ exceptional defensive backfield depth this season, Vadrawale will likely take a reshirt year to transition unless he’s a regular on special teams.
Position: Defensive Line
Height/Weight: 6’2, 270
Class: Freshman
Last School: Arbor View High School, Las Vegas NV
Ranking: 3 Stars, (84), 247 Sports, #57 Defensive Lineman
Recruitment Heat: Low/Medium (Oregon State, Colorado, Washington State)
Scouting Report/Film: Zurich Ashford
Potential Impact: Low
Ashford is a very good athlete, albeit with an undersized body for an ideal pass rusher. He enters a crowded Defensive Line room and will almost certainly redshirt while he works on gaining size and strength.
Position: Outside Linebacker
Height/Weight: 6’3, 235
Class: Freshman
Last School: Rio Honda Prep, Arcadia, CA
Ranking: 3 Stars, (86), 247 Sports, #100 Athlete nationally
Recruitment Heat: Low (Army, Rice, San Jose State)
Scouting Report/Film: TBD
Potential Impact: Low
McCulloch was ultra-productive as a two-way player in HS and has the build and athleticism to play at a much higher level than his recruitment and rankings would imply. That said, unless he really wows in fall camp, it’s likely he will be sitting and learning in 2023.
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