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5 Running Backs Transferring From Same College Football Team

Originally posted on The Spun | By Andrew Gould | Last updated Apr 16, 2025 5:25 PM ET

California must rebuild its running back room this spring.

Following last Saturday's spring game, the ACC program has watched most of its backfield seek new scenery. Jadyn Ott, Kadarius Calloway, Byron Cardwell Jr., and Justin Williams-Thomas all planned to enter the transfer portal before it officially opened Wednesday.

According to multiple reports, a fifth Cal running back joined them. Jaivian Thomas also entered the transfer portal on Wednesday.

Jamaal Wiley is the only returning running back who touched the ball in 2024. Redshirt freshman Jayden Parker, redshirt sophomore Dean-Taylor Chapman, and 2025 recruit Anthony League make up Cal's ransacked backfield.

Thomas led the Golden Bears with 626 rushing yards and seven touchdowns on just 100 carries last season. He found the end zone in five consecutive ACC games during his sophomore campaign.

Thomas seemed poised to receive an expanded role in 2025, especially with his teammates transferring.

Ott tallied a team-high 116 handoffs but mustered a far less efficient 3.3 yards per carry in 2024. However, he averaged 5.3 yards per run in each of his first two seasons at Cal, amassing 2,719 scrimmage yards and 25 touchdowns.

Shortly after transferring, Ott committed to Oklahoma. Cal lost its dynamic backfield duo and most of its ensuing depth.

BERKELEY, CA - NOVEMBER 13: A general view taken from the hill overlooking the California Memorial Stadium during the Oregon Ducks game against the California Golden Bears at on November 13, 2010 in Berkeley, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

After averaging 7.1 yards per carry at Old Dominion, Calloway registered 60 of last season's 124 yards on one run in a 31-10 victory over San Diego State. He scored his only touchdown for Cal in the same game.

A transfer from Oregon, Caldwell compiled 26 touches in five games with the Golden Bears. Williams-Thomas has missed most of his two years at Cal due to injuries.

The running backs weren't Cal's only offensive players to enter the portal. Starting quarterback Fernando Mendoza transferred to Indiana during the winter. Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele, who signed with Cal after previously flipping his commitment to Oregon, could compete for starting reps as a freshman.

Cal endured its fifth straight losing season when going 6-7 in its ACC initiation. Head coach Justin Wilcox hired former Auburn head coach Bryan Harsin as his offensive coordinator after the team scored 25.1 points per game in 2024.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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