The Bears enter 2025 with open competition on the edge. Overall, Cal’s edge rushers were serviceable in 2024, contributing to a defense that notched 35 sacks and helped produce an ACC-leading 17 interceptions, Now without David Reese and Xavier Carlton, the Bears will look to maintain pressure on the edge with their 2025 outside linebacker recruiting class.

TJ Bush Jr., junior, Liberty University

Bush Jr. is the most day-one ready player Cal landed in their 2025 edge class. The defensive end enjoyed an excellent two-year career at Liberty where he recorded 16.5 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks for the Flames. His tape is excellent, and so is his size: 6’3” and 260 pounds. A jack-of-all-trades on the line of scrimmage, Bush Jr. can be expected to rush the passer, bat down passes and contain the run game at a high level for the Bears in 2025.

Chris Victor, graduate student, UT Chattanooga

Another day-one contributor, Victor should back up returning edge rusher Ryan McCulloch. A seasoned pass rusher with three years of collegiate experience under his belt, Victor should immediately make a strong contribution to Cal’s defense. Victor is a prototypical edge, with great speed complementing a 6’4”, 240-pound frame. He will use his last year of NCAA eligibility at Cal, and is a dark horse pick for an All-ACC defensive spot.

Odera Okaka, junior, College of San Mateo

Okaka comes to Cal as the No. 1 junior college edge rusher recruit in the nation, according to 247 Sports. Ranked by ESPN as the No. 44 junior college recruit in the nation overall, Okaka will have a strong chance to get real playing time in his first year on campus. Okaka is a straight-line rusher, using his 6’4”, 235-pound frame to get downhill and overpower offensive linemen and tight ends on the edge. He’ll need to add finesse to his game, which currently relies on pure power.

John Tofi Jr., freshman, Archbishop Riordan High School

The lone freshman in Cal’s 2025 edge class, Tofi Jr. is an exceptionally fast and talented athlete. His athletic upside is obvious, showcased both by his film and his track record of multisport success while at Archbishop Riordan. Tofi Jr. will almost certainly need to put on more size if he is to succeed on the edge at the collegiate level. He comes to campus only weighing 210 pounds at 6’4”, while most edge rushers typically weigh in the mid-200s. His athleticism should allow for a position change, but if Tofi Jr. and Cal are set on the freshman playing outside linebacker, redshirt year may be in order.

Jayden Wayne, junior, Washington

Wayne has never recorded a sack at the collegiate level, and has played sparingly in two seasons at Miami and Washington, respectively. With only 19 games played in college, Wayne is a relative unknown. However, he has obvious potential. Owing to his 6’5”, 255-pound frame and impressive burst, Wayne was a coveted recruit out of high school. He should at least be able to fight for snaps in camp, with the possibility for a bigger role if he takes a step forward.

Reese and Carlton were major losses for Cal’s edge rushing unit, but the Bears restocked the room well. Bush Jr. will be an immediate impact player opposite McCulloch in the starting lineup, while Victor is a more than capable deputy on either side. The likes of Okaka, Tofi Jr. and Wayne all offer plus physicality on top of the usual depth. The Bears will need big contributions from this group if they want to make a splash in the ACC next season, though they are only one cog in Cal’s revamped defense.