Cal Football: Post Transfer Portal Additions and Departures (WR and TE)

Post Transfer Portal Additions and Departures

WIDE RECEIVERS:

X Wide Receiver:

Additions:

Ian Strong‍: 6’3, 220 Senior (Rutgers); 4 Star (92) rated Transfer; 3 Star (86) HS rating

Strong is as his name denotes, a big, powerful outside WR who is a beast on contested catches and can use his body to create space to make big plays down the field. He was productive at Rutgers, tallying 48 catches for 900 yards to go with 5 TDs in ten games. His length and long stride make him a threat on deep balls despite not having elite speed. He likely becomes JKS’ favorite target for back shoulder throws, comebacks and crossers. He’s a plus blocker as well. Among the most highly sought after WRs in the portal.

Departures:

Jaiven Plummer: (Georgia Tech)

Dazmin James: (Appalchian State)

Projected Depth Chart:

Ian Strong, Senior

Jordan King, RS Senior

Cole Boscia, RS Senior

Trevor Rogers, RS Sophomore

Meyer Swinney, RS Freshman

Y Wide Receiver:

Additions:

Cooper Perry‍: 6’1, 194, Sophomore; 3 Star (87) rated Transfer; 4 Star (93) rated HS recruit

Perry played sparingly as a true Freshman in 2025, seeing time in six games, tallying 10 catches for 25 yards on almost all screen and swing passes. Perry’s a bigger slot who can also slide out and play the Z. A big time HS recruit, Cooper has very good initial burst to go with plus lateral agility. He’s not a blazer but can stretch the field with his speed and brings plus size to the position.

Departures:

None

Projected Depth Chart:

Jacob DeJesus, RS Senior*

Cooper Perry, Sophomore

Quaron Adams, RS Senior

Tyree Sams‍, Freshman; 3 Star (87) HS recruit

EJ Morgan‍, Freshman; 3 Star (88) HS recruit

*Awaiting eligbility appeal

Z Wide Receiver:

Additions:

Chase Hendricks‍: 6’, 205; RS Junior; 4 star (93) rated Transfer; 3 Star (86) rated HS recruit

Hendricks, along with Strong, were among the top 5 WRs in the portal. Highly productive at Ohio with 111 receptions for 1500 yards and 8 TDs across the past two seasons. He’s not super explosive, rather he simply wins. Great hands, almost no drops, he knows how to run routes, and use his strength and body to create separation. He’s used to be the go to guy and making plays on 3^rd down and the red zone.

Departures:

Jayden Dixon-Veal: (N/A)

Projected Depth Chart:

Chase Hendricks, Senior

Mark Hamper, Junior

Kyion Grayes, RS Junior

Kai Meza‍, Freshman; 3 Star (87) HS recruit

Notes:

This is a WR room that is coming off a rough year outside of the heroics of Jacob DeJesus. Too many drops, and not nearly enough separation or explosive plays. Six new players join the roster, led by three high profile transfers. Strong and Hendricks are straight ballers. Ian should be the big play WR on the outside and in the red zone that Cal has craved while Hendricks becomes Mr. Reliable. Perry’s got a ton of upside and versatility with the big question being the potential return of DeJesus. There’s improved depth with the lighting fast Adams and the strong and reliable Boscia and King. Expect Hamper to have a bounce back year.

Concerns:

If DeJesus isn’t given another year, the room takes a meaningful step back. The health of Strong and Hendricks is paramount. The youth in the room outside of Perry feels a year away from making a big contribution.

Ceiling: Nationally Elite

Floor: Upper Third of ACC

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Tight End:

Additions:

Dorian Thomas‍: 6’4, 240 RS Sophomore; 4 Star (90) rated Transfer; 3 Star (88) HS recruit

Thomas was among the top TEs in the portal based on a highly productive 2025 season at New Mexico with 56 catches and 4 TDs. He’s a plus athlete who is quicker than fast with a big catch radius and good body control. To this point in his career, he’s more of a receiver than blocker.

Rico Walker‍: 6’3, 250 RS Junior; 3 Star (86) rated Transfer; 4 Star (92) HS recruit

Walker has been a vagabond as Cal will be his fourth school in four years. He’s a big time athlete that excelled in BB and FB in HS and was projected as a potential edge rusher in college. He’s blesed with a big wingspan and can really move. Has the size and leverage to be a plus blocker. More potential than production to this point.

Departures:

Landon Morris: (Wake Forest)

Ben Marshall: (Austin Peay)

Jacob Houseworth: (UC Davis)

Projected Depth Chart:

Mason Mini, Junior

Dorian Thomas, RS Sophomore

Rico Walker, RS Junior

Taimane Purcell‍, Freshman

John Tofi Jr, RS Freshman

Notes:

Mini was a revelation when healthy in 2025. He’s a dynamic receiving threat and an emerging blocker. Thomas adds another weapon in the passing game with Walker providing a blocking presence and an upside athlete. Purcell’s the most talented TE recruit in Berkeley in over a decade and could play early.

Concerns:

There’s not a proven blocker in the room and that will be an area of development this Spring. Tofi’s transition to TE is important as he flashed as a blocker late last season. A good walk on blocking TE would be a nice addition.

Ceiling: Nationally Elite

Floor: Middle of the ACC