USA Today hits Stanford’s Andrew Luck and Cal’s Ron Rivera with harsh spring portal verdict
Context:
USA Today's Paul Myerberg has identified Stanford and Cal as significant losers in the recent spring portal, highlighting the substantial talent exodus from both programs. Cal experienced a dramatic loss of 34 players, including significant offensive contributors, despite the efforts of new general manager Ron Rivera to mitigate the impact with incoming transfers. Similarly, Stanford faced 26 departures, including head coach Troy Taylor, under the new leadership of general manager Andrew Luck, which has left the team struggling at the bottom of national rankings. Key losses for Stanford include elite edge rusher David Bailey and important offensive players, further exacerbating their challenges. While Cal and Stanford deal with these setbacks, other teams like Miami are celebrating their gains from the spring transfer period, indicating a shifting landscape in college football power dynamics.
Dive Deeper:
Cal's football team lost an alarming 34 players during the winter and spring transfer windows, significantly affecting their offensive capabilities, despite hiring former NFL head coach Ron Rivera as general manager.
Among the significant losses for Cal was their potent running back, who had accumulated over 2,200 yards in his first two seasons before his performance declined in 2024, and who was one of five running backs to leave the program.
Cal managed to bring in 33 new transfers to try and offset these losses, but the damage to their offensive lineup, particularly in critical positions like running back and tight end, may have already been done.
Stanford's departures included head coach Troy Taylor and a total of 26 players, leaving the team in a precarious position under the new general manager Andrew Luck, who was previously a star quarterback for the program.
Stanford's losses were highlighted by the transfer of senior David Bailey, an elite edge rusher, and other key players who contributed significantly in the previous season, putting the team at a low point in national rankings.
The shift in player dynamics has put Stanford and Cal in difficult positions as newcomers to the ACC, potentially widening the talent gap when they next face each other.
Contrasting the struggles of Cal and Stanford, the University of Miami has been highlighted as a significant winner in the spring portal, ranking second on On3’s list, showcasing the divergent fortunes among college football programs during this period.
The 10-day spring window has officially come and gone — and, as usual, it left behind clear winners and losers. In this case, the focus is on the latter.
USA Today’s Paul Myerberg didn’t mince words in his post-spring portal recap, naming two ACC programs — and bitter rivals — as among the biggest losers: California and Stanford.
The next time these two schools face off, the talent gap may be painfully clear.
Starting with Cal, the Golden Bears lost a staggering 34 players between the winter and spring windows, despite bringing in a general manager in former NFL head coach Ron Rivera.
“No team had as much offensive production hit the portal, especially at running back,” Myerberg wrote. “A potential starter and at minimum a valuable piece of the puzzle for the Sooners, Ott ran for a combined 2,212 yards in his first two years before dipping to 385 yards in 2024. Counting the winter portal, Ott is one of five backs to leave the program; coach Justin Wilcox added three in return, including former North Carolina State backup Kendrick Raphael. Another huge loss this spring was tight end Jack Endries, who transferred to Texas after pulling down a team-high 56 catches last season.”
To their credit, Cal was able to bring in 33 transfers to offset the exodus — though the damage, particularly on offense, may already be done.
Stanford, meanwhile, saw 26 total departures — including head coach Troy Taylor, who was dismissed by newly appointed general manager and former Cardinal quarterback Andrew Luck.
“The combination of the spring window and former coach Troy Taylor’s dismissal has left the cupboard even barer for former Stanford quarterback and new general manager Andrew Luck, leaving the Cardinal in the mix for the bottom spot among Power Four teams in the USA TODAY Sports post-spring 1-136 rankings,” Myerberg wrote. “The biggest departure was senior David Bailey, an elite edge rusher and potential preseason All-America pick who transferred to Texas Tech. Other departures include Maikkula, who should contend for a starting spot on the interior of the Sooners' offensive line, and new Texas receiver Emmett Mosley V, who led all ACC freshmen with 48 catches last year.”
It’s certainly not an ideal start for two of the ACC’s newest members. While Cal and Stanford are licking their wounds, others — like Miami — were celebrating. The Hurricanes ranked No. 2 on On3’s list of spring portal winners.