California transfer portal tracker: All players who have entered the transfer portal after the 2024 regular season

As the Cal Golden Bears prepare for the LA Bowl and a battle with UNLV, they have suffered a bit already from the transfer portal. The inevitable yearly cycle continues and even with the bowl pending, several Bears have entered the portal and are moving on. Here's a rundown of the Cal players who have entered the portal.

California transfer portal trackers: players who have entered the portal

Cal WR Nyziah Hunter has entered the transfer portal after an impressive freshman campaign. (Photo Credit: IMAGN)

J.T. Byrne, TE

Byrne spent two seasons at Oregon State and two at Cal and has announced he's headed to Georgia Tech for 2025. He had two tackles of special teams but hasn't caught any passes. He's got a single season of eligibility for the Yellowjackets.

Josiah Martin, WR

A freshman receiver, Martin did see some playing time even as a true freshman in 2024. The 5-foot-11 athlete caught 12 passes for 112 yards. He also rushed five times for 44 yards and a touchdown. Martin will have three remaining seasons of eligibility at his next school.

Fernando Mendoza, QB

Cal's starting QB, Mendoza's entry to the transfer portal was surprising. In 2024, Mendoza threw for 3,004 yards and 16 touchdowns against six interceptions. The sophomore has been very dependable and effective with the Bears. But he's sitting out the bowl game and headed into the portal. Mendoza will have two seasons of eligibility remaining.

Mendoza immediately moves toward the top of several of the portal rankings, as he's likely to star from day one at his next portal stop. There are flashier QBs in the portal than Mendoza, but few who are as ready for more snaps.

Nyziah Hunter, WR

A 6-foot-2 receiver, Hunter was a four-star in-state recruit. He redshirted in 2023, but in his freshman season of 2024, Hunter ended up catching 40 passes for 578 yards and five touchdowns. Hunter will likely draw significant interest across the power conferences, and he'll have three full seasons of remaining eligibility.

Bobby Engstler, P

A significant star in the kicking and punting areas, Engstler didn't see any on-field action with the Bears in 2024. Accordingly, he'll still have four full seasons of remaining eligibility. Engstler, who hails from Florida, shouldn't have much trouble finding a new college home.

Brooklyn Cheek, S

A talented in-state defensive back, Cheek didn't see any playing time in 2024 as a true freshman. Accordingly, his decision to transfer will give him four years of college football eligibility moving forward. Cheek is 6-foot-1 and has solid size and speed.

Nate Rutchena, TE

Rutchena has been at California for four seasons. He played three years as a linebacker and shifted to tight end in 2024. Rutchena didn't see any passes. Back in 2021, as a freshman, he had 35 tackles, three tackles for loss and three interceptions. Rutchena's productivity had declined from there. He played in only two games in 2024 and so will be able to keep one year of eligibility moving ahead.

Matthew Wykoff, T

Wykoff is working on a third school, as he started at Texas A&M before transferring to Cal. In two seasons at Cal, Wykoff has been a significant player. In 2023, Wykoff started 12 games at left guard. In 2024, he split his time between guard and center and got three starts on the season. Wykoff has now committed to the University of Houston for the remaining season of college eligibility that he has.

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