Cal football shifts focus to high‑school recruiting, de‑emphasizes transfers

Coach Tosh Lupoi said the University of California football program will build its future by recruiting high‑school athletes rather than relying on the transfer portal. The strategy aims to develop players over several years and create a cohesive team culture, similar to the NFL draft model.

The 2027 recruiting class ranked 19th on 247Sports and 21st on Rivals, a marked improvement from previous years when Cal was outside the top‑50. Notable signings include junior‑college standout Alius Mayo, who chose Cal over offers from Alabama and LSU, and quarterback Jaron‑Keawe Sagapolutele, who elected to stay for a second season despite transfer interest. While the program used the transfer portal in 2026 to address immediate needs, Lupoi stressed that such moves will not be a regular practice.

The shift is intended to provide a stable talent pipeline and strengthen the program’s long‑term competitiveness.