'Great Energy': Inside Cal's Revamped Running Back Room

Cal enters the 2026 season sporting a completely new running back room headlined by Oakland-made coach Keith Bhonapha and enticing transfers Adam Mohammed, Carter Vargas and Ashten Emory.

Bear Insider spoke with the quartet after the Blue and Gold wrapped up an energized Day 1 of spring practice on Wednesday afternoon.

“It’s been a great experience,” Vargas, a redshirt sophomore from UC Davis, said. “Everyone in this new offense and new system has (aspects) of their game that stick out, and we all kind of grow from each other and take a piece out of everyone’s game.”

There isn’t a better way to put it.

Bhonapha described his players individually, and it’s clear that each ball-carrier approaches the game differently.

Mohammed, the group’s marquee addition, is known for his power at 6-feet and 220 pounds and was expected by many to start for the Washington Huskies next season. 

Instead, he is shaping up to be Cal’s primary option out of the backfield.

“My expectation is to do whatever I can to help the team win,” Mohammed said. “I came here out of high school on a visit, and I just wanted to come back and be a Golden Bear. I know (in) life outside of football, they’ll take care of me.”

Mohammed, after averaging 4.5 yards over 116 carries last season, said Wednesday’s fast-paced practice was fun and “my type of practice.” 

He added that he enjoys getting to know — and collaborate with — “chill” quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele, and appreciates the attention to detail from both Bhonapha and offensive coordinator Jordan Somerville.

Vargas, meanwhile, appears to be the lightning-in-a-bottle option for the Bears.

He averaged a dominant 6.6 yards per carry through eight games for the Aggies a season ago and has shone thus far at Cal.

“One of the things that we knew about him is that he is electric (and) explosive,” Bhonapha said. “Some of those things showed up during our first nine weeks, when we were doing our OTA-type workouts and things like that. 

“To get him out here on the first day and watch him in individuals, as we get geared up for spring practice, I think it’s going to be an exciting spring watching him.”

Vargas, 5-foot-11 and 205 pounds, was blunt about why he was sold on joining Cal.

“I think the energy here,” the Santa Maria native said. “It’s a different culture here that Tosh was trying to build, and it was contagious in the recruiting process.”

Emory, meanwhile, is what Bhonapha described as a fundamentally sound veteran presence.

The 5-foot-11 UTEP transfer averaged 4.7 yards per carry in 2025 and, based on Wednesday’s interactions, could very well be the position’s vocal leader.

“Being around people who have given me great energy, I love that every day — just being around great people,” Emory said, adding, “It’s been great, having people like Adam, like Carter, two great running backs. You got (Anthony) League. You got (Dean-Taylor Chapman). 

“You got great people in the room. Even Victor, the young freshman. They bring great energy. We all help each other out. If we’re in the wrong, they let us know. They congratulate us. So, it’s been a great feeling just being around a great group.”

Bhonapha joined Emory in acknowledging the development of the group’s younger ball-carriers.

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He said League continues to impress, while Santino, an early-enrollee from Los Angeles, needs to ease into playing at the next level.

“One thing I believe in is self-esteem and confidence, and (Santino has) progressed nicely,” Bhonapha said. “It’s just calming him down, ‘You’ll be fine. You’re going to make a mistake. Life’s biggest illusion is perfection, and you’re not going to be that.’

“I’m excited to see how he develops over the course of this spring.”

Cal has endured plenty of change over the last several months, and the running back room is no exception.

However, if the early glimpse of the position group is any indication of what’s to come for the Bears, then it’s safe to say that Cal’s offense, led by Sagapolutele, will have a nice variety of options in its repertoire.

“It’s been a great experience,” Vargas said. “Walking out the tunnel … it’s a blessing to be here. And I’m just happy to start a new chapter with all the boys.”