New Bears on the Block: Cal Grad Transfer RB Isaiah Ifanse

One of the later additions to the Bears’ 2023 portal class was Montana State running back Isaiah Ifanse‍. The 5-9/205 RB signed from Seattle area power program Bellevue after earning the prestigious Gatorade Washington Player of the Year award, rushing for 2,944 yards and 49 touchdowns in his last two seasons.

"It was just fun," Ifanse said of his prep experience. "I remember every game just going out, having fun with the guys and even outside of football, we just hung out so much. So it made the experience even that much better."

At Montana State, Ifanse had 3,742 rushing yards and scored 25 touchdowns on the ground29 career receptions for 255 yards two more touchdowns through the air, averaging 5.9 yards per carry. He missed the entire regular season as a 2022 senior but returned for three FCS playoff games and added 281 yards rushing on 28 carries (10 ypc) for his 12-2 squad. Ifanse earned All-American status as a junior in 2021 when he established a single-season school record with 1,623 yards rushing and 10 touchdowns on the ground for his 12-3 squad.

"I'd say it was pretty positive," Ifanse said of his experience at Montana State. "I have a lot of respect for Montana. Coming out from high school, I knew nothing about Montana. I was a city kid. So it was definitely like a switch-up. It was different than what I was used to but I enjoyed every minute of it."

Montana State of late has become a preferred destination for many bay area students looking for an active lifestyle outside of campus and in recent years, Ifanse branched out to more fully experience the abundance of nearby outdoor activities available close to Bozeman.

"The last two summers I was there, I learned how to fly fish, learned how to snowmobile, ski, snowboard, all the outdoor activities you could think of, I was doing,” Ifanse noted.

The former Washington prep’s experience on his official visit sold him on the culture and environment in the program.

"When I first came here for my visit in the spring, the coaching staff and all the players I met and whatnot, it just felt like home and it was like such a family environment and that's what I really liked," Ifanse said.

Ifanse’s comfort level with Cal running backs coach Aristotle Thompson also played a role in his decision to transfer to Cal.

"It's really, really good," Ifanse said of his relationship with his new position coach. "I like coach AT. My old coach from Montana State, Coach Beal is really close with Coach AT so I kind of heard what he was saying about him and all the positives I heard about him were true. He's awesome."

So far, the sixth-year senior is fitting in well and enjoying his first month on campus.

"Yeah, I'd say it's pretty comfortable," Ifanse said of his adjustment to Cal. “It helps that I knew TJ Session beforehand, so he's been helping me and introducing me to different spots in Berkeley, and where the guys kind of hang out."

On the academic side, Ifanse obtained an undergraduate degree in Business Management From Montana State and is currently enrolled in Cal’s Global Business Admin certification program.

Ifanse, who describes his running style as North-South, one cut, has a simple goal for this season: “Win as many games as possible.”

Music to Cal fans’ ears.

Related:

Ifanse Brings Depth to RB Room as Grad Transfer to Cal

New Bears on the Block: Cal RS Frosh Portal Transfer RB Justin Williams-Thomas