Cal’s early-signing class is loaded with prospects from Texas, but one of the Bears’ biggest gets might prove to be a player they managed to keep from moving relocating to the Lone Star state.
Ja’ir Smith, rated as one of the top junior college safeties in the class, flipped from a commitment to TCU to play for the Bears. Smith, moved up the prospect ratings boards at the College of San Mateo but is originally from North Carolina.
Coach Justin Wilcox and his staff signed 22 recruits in all, with nine coming from Texas.
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“Texas does a great job of developing their high school players,” Wilcox said. “They invest in high school football down there. It’s been good for us.”
Among the group of Texans is senior quarterback Chandler Rogers, who passed for 3,382 yards and 29 touchdowns (with just five interceptions) at North Texas after transferring from the University of Louisiana-Monroe, and highly-regarded prep offensive lineman Syris Corley.
Smith was among five defensive backs to sign with the Bears, including two other transfers: former University of Idaho cornerback Marcus Harris and safety Isaiah Crosby from Trinity Valley Community College.
Among the prep signees is wide receiver Trevor Rogers, who caught 74 passes for 1,231 yards and 16 touchdowns at Acalanes High this fall. Joining the quarterback mix behind Fernando Mendoza, who broke out as a freshman this fall, is EJ Caminong from Seattle’s Garfield High.
Here is the Bears’ full list:
Dayday Aupiu, DB, 6-3/170, Oxnard (Pacifica)
Teddye Buchanan, ILB, 6-2/237, San Francisco (St. Ignatius/UC Davis)
EJ Caminong, QB, 6-2/205, Seattle (Garfield)
BJ Canady, DL, 6-5/240, Topeka, KS (Topeka)
Brooklyn Cheek, DB, 6-2/180, Oakdale (Central Catholic)
Syris Corley, OL, 6-4/290, Taylor, TX (Taylor)
Isaiah Crosby, DB, 5-10/180, Manor (Trinity Valley CC)
Luke Ferrelli, LB, 6-3/215, Carlsbad (Carlsbad)
Marcus Harris, DB, 5-11/185, Portland, OR (University of Idaho)
Camden Jones, TE, 6-6/230, Pasadena (Maranatha)
Legend Journey, DL, 6-2/250, Arlington, TX (Summitt)
Aidan Keanaaina, DL, 6-3/309, Brighton, CO (University of Notre Dame)
Tyler Knape, OL, 6-4/270, Austin, TX (Westlake)
Josiah Martin, WR, 5-11/170, Corinth, TX (John H. Guyer)
Aiden Newbill, OL, 6-8/280, Austin, TX (Connally)
Michael-Anthony Okwura, DL, 6-2/260, Katy, TX (Saint Thomas)
Eze Osondu, LB, 6-1/210, Trophy Club, TX (Byron Nelson)
Rush Reimer, OL, 6-5/300, Camas, WA (Montana State University)
Chandler Rogers, QB, 6-0/195, Mansfield, TX (University of North Texas)
Trevor Rogers, WR, 6-2/190, Lafayette (Acalanes)
Ja’ir Smith, DB, 6-1/185, Charlotte, NC (College of San Mateo)
Jamaal Wiley, RB, 6-0/215, Stafford, TX (Stafford)
