Cal Football Loses Five Running Backs to Transfer Portal

The California Golden Bears football team is facing a major roster crisis after all five of its top running backs from last season, including leading rusher Jaivian Thomas and former all-Pac-12 standout Jaydn Ott, entered the transfer portal within a 48-hour span. The departures leave Cal with only incoming freshman Anthony League, a promising recruit out of Long Beach, as the sole scholarship running back currently available. Tight end Jack Endries, who had a productive season, is also transferring and reportedly considering Texas. The sudden exodus follows a difficult 6-7 season and comes despite the recent hiring of a new running backs coach. This sweeping loss of talent underscores the volatility brought on by the NCAA transfer portal and presents significant challenges for coach Justin Wilcox as he rebuilds the team's depth chart.