Elite Junior Day Visitors High on Cal Program

The Bears hosted a group of 13 players for their Elite Junior Day during last Saturday’s final spring practice before departing for spring break.

Here’s a sampling of the feedback the recruits Bear Insider was able to connect with following Elite Junior Day - the second junior day of the spring after hosting an initial event in February.

Josiah Anyansi - 3 star Murrieta Valley edge with offers from Utah, Arizona, Minnesota, Kansas, BC and more

“I liked the junior day,” Anyansi said. “It showed me what they were about. I like the physical aspect that they had at practice and their brotherhood. I’m looking for a program with a brotherhood. I saw a lot of talent on the field. Everyone out there looked like they were competing for a spot. The atmosphere was nice and the coaches were coaching.”

Vlad Dyakonov‍ - 4 star Folsom OT with offers from Auburn, Ole Miss, USC, UCLA,

“The visit was great and I’ll try to be back for a spring practice at Cal,” Dyakonov said. “Me and coach Anae have a very good relationship and I love the way he coaches. I watched film with him and he understands the players, which makes him such a good coach and I believe that he is somebody I could definitely learn from in the future. Coach Anae wants me and a few guys from the 2026 class to build a legacy at Cal, which is really cool.

“The main thing I am looking for in a program is where am I going to play early because I want to go to the NFL and that’s what I’m looking for in a program - what’s best going to get me to that destination.”

Dominic Harris‍  - 3 star Las Vegas OT with offers from Auburn, UCLA, Utah, UW, Arkansas and more

“I’m looking for a program for a team that’s develops players and has a great coaching staff and a coaching staff that has been where. I want to go,” Harris noted after the visit.

EJ Morgan - 3 star Fresno WR with offers from ASU, Boise State, Fresno State, SDSU and more

“My junior day experience was amazing,” Morgan said. “It really was an eye opener to what a top tier school like Cal can offer me and many other athletes. One thing that stood out to me the most was how welcoming the football all staff was. All of the offensive coaches I met with seemed real genuine and like they really cared for their athletes. I personally think Cal has a lot a potential and can really do some damage in the ACC this upcoming season. They really have a good up and coming quarterback who I think is going to be really good during the season. I really loved the atmosphere of their practice because they love to compete and that is something I also enjoy doing.”

Devin Olmande‍ - 3 star Newbury Park WR with offers from Arizona, ASU, Kansas, Minnesota and more

“My visit was great,” Olmonde said. “I loved it again (also visited Cal before). A couple things that stood out to me are the goals of the coaching staff and team and how they do things up there. They work hard and are looking to win a national championship this year which is exactly what I am looking for in a program.”

Dre Pollard - 3 star Las Vegas WR with offers from Auburn, ASU, BYU, Minnesota and more

“My junior day visit was great,” Pollard said. “The high academic aspect is what stood out most to me because academics are extremely important to me. The talent on the field is another thing that stood out. Everyone is extremely talented. Also the way the practice was ran stood out. It was quick, efficient, and had an extremely competitive atmosphere.”

Camm Purnell - 3 star Lincoln/SD CB with offers from Utah, UW, WSU, OSU and more

“The visit was great, from practice to the tour it all was amazing,” Purnell said. “One thing that stood out to me was the practice environment, everyone on the staff was involved and had lots of energy making the practice fun and productive. Another thing that stood out to me was the hospitality. My family and I were treated amazing. It felt like i’ve been there multiple times before and definitely felt like somewhere I can call home.

“Something I look forward to in a program is a place where I will be developed not only as a football player but also as a person, I can tell the Cal staff believes in that and will want me to succeed outside of football. Coach Terrance Brown and Coach Allen Brown treated me as one of their own and I was very impressed! The talent on the field was very high and very competitive and all the guys were flying full speed and competing game-like. The atmosphere was top notch. I was definitely interested and felt like I was able to watch the practice all day.”

Tommy Tofi‍ - 4 star Riordan OT with offers from Ohio State, Tennessee, Oregon, UCLA and more

“My visit was great,” Tofi, the younger brother of Cal signee John Tofi, Jr said. “I got to spend more time hanging out with all the coaches and staff, which is always a great time. Some things that stood out the most to me was Coach Anae’s style of coaching. He’s very disciplined and has high expectations of the line and them executing their job.

“What I’m looking for in a program is a coach that can develop me and prepare me for the next level. I saw a lot of talent on Saturday but Jaron really stood out to me. The oline looked a lot better too. I saw a lot more action with the new coaches, a new culture and identity within the team. It’s a big difference from this team compared to the team from last year offensively.”

Wesley Winn‍ - Riordan WR with offers from Georgia, LSU, Miami, Michigan and more. BC commit

“It was a great day,” Winn said. “The Cal campus and facilities are first rate. I like that the football and academic facilities are on the same campus. I’ve been to Cal games over the years and my first thought was the scrimmage offense looked more uptempo and they spread the ball across various playmakers. As a WR, I really like what they are doing. The QBs were all impressive with their reads. That says something about Coach Harsin’s and Coach Cefalo’s offense scheme.

“I got to spend time with Coach Cefalo and I learned a lot of what it takes to be a top rate WR (slot or outside) at any level. He has a proven track record of developing WRs from college to the NFL.

“My dad played college football on the east coast. However, he is a Haas MBA alum, 2003. Cal has a perfect blend of leadership in academics and athletics. GM Ron Rivera is a great new addition. Only 5 losses by 17 points, to nationally ranked teams. The football program is rising.”

Related:

https://bearinsider.com/s/4430/bears-make-big-impression-on-junior-day-visitors