Freddie Tagaloa played in the Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl in January 2012. Photo by Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY
Cal Bears offensive lineman Freddie Tagaloa will transfer at Arizona, according to a story first reported by 247Sports.
Tagaloa started the first seven games of this season at left tackle. He announced he would transfer after the Bears finished the season 1-11.
Tagaloa was rated a four-star recruit by Rivals.com after his senior season at Salesian High in Richmond, Calif. Wildcats offensive line coach Jim Michalczik coached at Cal in 2011 when Tagaloa played as a true freshman as a backup at both tackle spots.
He would be the second Cal player to transfer to Arizona in the past few months. Linebacker David Wilkerson arrived in September as a walk-on and will be eligible for the 2014 season.
Tagaloa’s eligibility is murky because he would be a scholarship transfer within the conference. Without a release from Cal, he would have to sit out two seasons. Cal coach Sonny Dykes this week said he would not release quarterback Zach Kline to transfer to Oregon State, meaning Kline would have to go through an appeals process in order to sit out only one season.
This might be a non-issue with Tagaloa. Arizona doesn’t play Cal in 2015 and 2016, when Tagaloa would be eligible to play for the Cats.
If he does have to sit only one season, he could step right in at tackle, where Arizona will have seniors Mickey Baucus and Fabbians Ebbele in 2014.
Rodriguez signed six junior college transfers on Wednesday.