Bears Get Deeper on D With Commitment from EKU Portal OLB/Edge Cheik Fall

The Bears got deeper in their pass rush game today with the commitment of 6-6/255 Eastern Kentucky OLB/edge player Cheik Fall after his official visit this week. The fourth-year player totaled 23 tackles, 3 ½ tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 1 forced fumble and one fumble recovered in 10 games in 2023 before going into the portal.

“I loved everything from the environment to the culture,” Fall said after his commitment. “I felt the coaching tactics at Cal will help elevate my game on and off the field and that is exactly what I was looking for.

"Campus was beautiful, the stadium was beautiful. I enjoyed the atmosphere, the coaches and everyone I met was welcoming. Just really enjoyed seeing their point of view on what it takes to win that championship and what it takes to have a good team and it just stuck with me and I think it matches what I was looking for in the portal."

The newest Bear felt a strong connection with OLB coach Vic So’oto and how he sees him fitting in with the Cal defense.

“He was real straightforward,” Fall said of So’oto. “I felt like he’s going to help me take the next step in progressing as a player on and off the field and just becoming the best player I can be, just setting strong edges, being strong, fast and aggressive and just being a strong force on the defense.”

As a prep for Middletown High School in Brooklyn, NY, Fall was selected first-team all-conference his senior season after recording 61 tackles and 4.5 sacks in 2019 before signing with EKU. He graduated this spring with a degree in Business and will be enrolling in Cal’s credential program this fall.

“I've heard so many great things about the university,” Fall said. “The connections and all the possibilities you can have by attending Cal, it just really struck me and I know it can affect my future and life after football.”

Fall becomes the 40^th commitment of Cal’s 2024 recruiting class. He currently has one season of eligibility, though a second season would be highly likely if he pursued it.

Related:

Bears Add Experienced Depth to QB Room in Ohio Portal Transfer CJ Harris

Bears Get Deeper on D With Commitment from Missouri Portal Edge Serigne Tounkara