32 Players Ditch College Football Program Overnight—Is This the Biggest Mass Exodus in History?

The NCAA transfer portal has once again made headlines, particularly after the two-week entry window for college football players closed on January 16, 2026. Now that most players have committed to their new teams, analysts are turning their focus to the movements and trends that emerged during this period. One school that is feeling the brunt of the transfer portal's impact is the University of California, Berkeley, home of the Golden Bears.

During this recent transfer window, a staggering 32 players left the Golden Bears program, a significant loss that has raised eyebrows across the college football landscape. The exodus comes in the wake of California's decision to part ways with head coach Justin Wilcox in late November 2025. Wilcox, who had served for nine seasons, ranked as the fifth-longest tenured coach in the program's history. In his place, California appointed Tosh Lupoi, the former defensive coordinator at Oregon, as the new head coach.

The transfer portal has become a common occurrence in college football, particularly following coaching changes. It is widely recognized that when a head coach departs, a mass exodus of players often follows. In California's case, even though the program brought in an array of transfers to offset the departures, only two of the 32 outgoing players were rated as four-star recruits. However, many of the players who left were significant contributors to the team's performance in 2025.

Among the most notable exits is linebacker Luke Ferrelli, who led the Golden Bears with 91 tackles in the previous season. Initially committed to Clemson, Ferrelli's decision to flip to Ole Miss has sparked discussions about potential tampering in the realm of college athletics. Joining him in the transfer portal are leading tackler Cade Uluave (to BYU) and four-star transfer Harrison Taggart (to Utah State), further depleting California's roster.

Additionally, the Golden Bears have lost their leading rusher, Kendrick Raphael, who has decided to transfer to SMU. This move will undoubtedly add an intriguing storyline to the matchup between SMU and California scheduled for late October. Another significant loss is backup quarterback Devin Brown, who transferred to Weber State. Brown had previously joined California from Ohio State but faced limited opportunities with Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele remaining at California as the starter.

Despite these challenges, the Golden Bears are making efforts to rebuild. They currently rank No. 2 in the ACC in terms of incoming transfers, with their 30 new players tied for the most in the conference alongside Louisville. Nationally, California holds the 14th overall position in transfer rankings, according to 247Sports. This shows that while the losses are considerable, the program is working to address its needs and fill gaps in the roster.

The ongoing developments in the NCAA transfer portal reflect broader changes within college athletics, particularly regarding player autonomy and coaching dynamics. As programs navigate these challenges, the impact of transfers on team composition and performance will be a key storyline to track in the upcoming college football season.