With the hiring of new Cal head coach Tosh Lupoi last month, the Bears have seen a massive uptick in recruiting activity, from the transfer portal, where they’ve seen great success, to hosting a junior day in the middle of the portal window, to multiple campus visits and lots of new offers extended.
Several of the offers have been to current frosh players, including Victor Valley (Victorville, CA) RB Makai Buchanan.
The 5-11/180 frosh put up solid numbers in his first season of prep football, picking up 698 yards in 95 carries (7.3 ypc) and 8 TDs on the ground and 15 catches for 232 yards (15.5 ypc) and 1 TD through the air.
The Bears weren’t the only program to get in early on the talented frosh, with an additional group of impressive suitors also extending offers, including Georgia, Ohio State, UCLA, Oregon, Oklahoma and more.
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“I believe what helped me get noticed early in the 2029 class is my versatility,” Buchanan said. “I’m a running back, but I can also catch the ball very well and line up in the slot or out wide at wide receiver. I’m not a one-dimensional player, and that ability to contribute in multiple ways is one of the main reasons I feel I’ve been recognized early.
“At Cal, I have been in contact with the running backs coach, Coach Keith Bhonapha, and I’ve built a really strong relationship with the Cal coaching staff. While I haven’t been to the Bay Area or Berkeley yet, I plan on visiting sometime in the spring to see the campus and get a better feel for what Cal is all about.
“I’ve been following Cal’s new coaching staff closely. There have been a lot of new hires across different positions, and from the outside, everything looks like it’s moving in a very positive direction. My thoughts on Coach Lupoi are that he’s a great coach who brings energy, leadership, and a strong family culture, which I believe will have a big impact on the program this upcoming season.
“As a player, my biggest strength is my ability to play multiple positions. Wherever my coach needs me, I’m going to work. I can play running back, line up in the slot, or go out wide against any defender. When the ball is in my hands, I’m different, and I always put the team first.”
As for what he’s looking for at this early stage of his recruitment?
“Looking ahead, my goal is to continue developing my game while also getting bigger, faster, and stronger to prepare for the next level,” Buchanan said.
