2023 Cal Recruiting Database: In-depth position-by-position intel

The 2023 recruiting cycle is officially in the home stretch, just about two months from the early signing period, which starts Dec. 21.

Cal still has some work to do to fill out its incoming class, but bear in mind that might not all happen by the end of December.

Look for the Golden Bears to be aggressive in the transfer portal while also hoping to add some key pieces from the 2023 high school recruiting class to their current group of seven commits.

As for where everything stands for the Bears, we have put in a ton of updates and changes to the 2023 Cal Recruiting Database, as outlined below.

Last updated: Oct. 19

Needs (1): After taking under-the-radar two-star Fernando Mendoza as the only QB in its 2022 signing class (not counting transfer Jack Plummer), the Bears have hit some roadblocks in their 2023 QB pursuit with top target Jaden Rashada falling out of play and committing to Miami, Aiden Chiles committing to Oregon State, Luke Duncan committing to UCLA after a late push from the Bruins and Jaxon Smolik picking Penn State. At this point, it's possible Cal will turn its focus to landing an impact QB from the transfer portal this winter, but it is our understanding the Bears are still evaluating a couple of high school targets. We do not have names yet as nothing is very far along at the moment.

Commits (0):

Top targets:

No clear leads

Also on the radar:

Other offers:

-Four-star Rivals100 QB Jaden Rashada (Pittsburg HS) *Committed to Miami

-Four-star QB Brayden Dorman (Vista Ridge HS/Peyton, Colo.) *Committed to Arizona

-Three-star QB Luke Duncan (Miramonte HS) *Committed to UCLA

-Three-star QB Jaxon Smolik (Dowling HS/West Des Moines, Iowa) *Committed to Penn State

-Three-star QB Chris Parson (Ravenwood HS/Brentwood, Tenn.) *Committed to Mississippi State

-Three-star QB Brennan Storer (Highland Park HS/Dallas, Texas) *Committed to Western Michigan

-Three-star QB CJ Tiller (Racho Cucamonga HS/Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.) *Committed to Boise State

-Three-star dual-threat QB Aidan Chiles (Downey HS/Downey, Calif.) *Committed to Oregon State

Needs (1): The present and future of the Cal backfield is set with Jaydn Ott looking like a recruiting steal for the Bears as a true freshman. That said, they'd like to continue to add to the depth chart with another pickup this year. That could be either a 2023 HS recruit or a transfer target. As of now, there is really one main focus from the high school ranks.

Commits (0):

Top targets:

Three-star RB AJ Newberry (South Grand Prairie HS/Grand Prairie, Texas)

The latest: Newberry has been committed to Colorado since April 11, but with the Buffaloes program in flux following the mid-season firing of coach Karl Dorrell, a few programs have made a late push for the three-star RB from Texas. Newberry recently announced new offers from Tulsa, Vanderbilt and Cal. We've reached out to him to learn more about where things stand and will update as soon as we're able.

Cal visits: None

Bears' chances: Too soon to tell

Coverage:

Hudl highlights:

-Junior season

Other offers:

-Four-star RB Roderick Robinson (Lincoln HS/San Diego) **Committed to Georgia

-Four-star RB Jayden Limar (Lake Stevens HS/Lake Stevens, Wash.) *Committed to Notre Dame

-Four-star APB Parker Jenkins (Klein Forest HS/Houston, Texas) *Committed to Houston

-Four-star APB Cameron Cook (Stony Point HS/Round Rock, Texas) *Committed to TCU

-Three-star APB Marquise Collins (College Station HS/College Station, Texas) *Committed to Duke

-Three-star RB Tybo Rogers (Bakersfield HS) *Committed to Washington

-Three-star APB Seth Davis (Katy HS/Katy, Texas) *Committed to Mississippi State

Needs (2): With plenty of young talent on the depth chart already and impressing, look for the Bears to try to land two wide receivers in this class. They've picked up one commitment so far in the impressive speedster Nyziah Hunter. Get to know him through our video interview below.

Commits (1):

WR Nyziah Hunter (Salinas HS/Salina, Calif.)

Hunter committed to Cal on June 30, picking the Bears over Oregon State and Colorado State after visiting all three in late June. His Cal recruitment came together rather quickly in a matter of a couple months, as the Bears showed late interest in the speedy slot receiver and he reciprocated immediately.

Cal visits: June 16-19 official visit

Coverage:

-(Sept. 28) WR commit Nyziah Hunter remains excited about his Cal future

-(June 30) WR Nyziah Hunter discusses his Cal commitment decision

-(June 20) WR target Nyziah Hunter says Cal is his top option at this point

Hudl highlights:

-Junior season

Golden Bear Report video:

Top targets:

Four-star ATH Mikal Harrison-Pilot (Temple HS/Temple, Texas)

The latest: Cal, Houston, TCU and Texas are still in the mix here. Harrison-Pilot is really Cal's only Class of 2023 WR target at this point and took his official visit to Cal on June 24-26. It was his second trip to Berkeley and it hit the mark for the WR and his family, who would be comfortable sending him that far from home -- if Harrison-Pilot decides he too is comfortable with being so far away. That's the big question still. He's taken in-season trips to Texas and TCU, and it still seems most likely he remains in-state.

Cal visits: April 2, June 24-26 official visit

Bears' chances: Contender

Coverage:

-(June 30) WR Mikal Harrison-Pilot breaks down Cal official visit, where things stand

-(June 3) Commitment predictions for top 10 uncommitted ATHs

-(May 3) Mikal Harrison-Pilot taking his time with recruitment

-(April 29) Where things stand with top uncommitted ATHs in 2023 class

-(April 8) Rivals100 prospect Mikal Harrison-Pilot recaps Cal unofficial visit

Hudl highlights:

-Junior season

Other offers:

-Four-star WR Rico Flores (Folsom HS) *Committed to Notre Dame

-Four-star WR Rashid Williams (Pittsburg HS/Pittsburg, Calif.) **Committed to Washington

-Four-star WR Braylon James (Stony Point HS/Round Rock, Texas) *Committed to Notre Dame

-Four-star WR Jurrion Dickey (Valley Christian HS/San Jose, Calif.) *Committed to Oregon

-Four-star ATH Jeremiah McClure (Mater Dei Catholic HS/Chula Vista, Calif.)

-Three-star WR Tiger Bachmeier (Murrieta Valley HS) *Committed to Stanford

-Three-star WR Kelby Valsin (Bowie HS/Arlington, Texas) *Committed to Texas Tech

-Three-star WR Ismael Cisse (Cherry Creek HS/Englewood, Colo.)

-Three-star WR JoJo Phillips (Sierra Canyon HS/Chatsworth, Calif.) *Committed to BYU