UCLA's Cal transfers prepared for season opener against former team
UCLA’s roster has five Cal transfers, and several of those players are expected to be major contributors to the Bruins this season.
UCLA running back Jaivian Thomas is particularly excited for his team's season opener against Cal. As a senior transfer from the Golden Bears, Thomas looks forward to playing in Berkeley once again. According to Thomas, "It’s a lot of love for the people that I know there at Cal." Five Bruins transferred from Cal this season, the most from any opponent they face this year.
For Thomas, the game holds extra significance, stating "That game’s significant for me, a little bit extra." Three of the five transfers — Thomas, Bhaghani, and linebacker Ryan McCulloch — were on Cal's roster during their last matchup in 2023. While much has changed in college football, this game is still relatively recent for some players.
UCLA head coach Vic So’oto also has ties to Cal, having coached there from 2022 to 2025. Both teams boast first-year head coaches and returning quarterbacks, making for an exciting matchup between former rivals.
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