CSM Bulldogs level up; as many as 46 set to transfer
The article below originally appeared in the San Mateo Daily Journal and is being reprinted with permission.
By Terry Bernal
Even the two-time state football champion College of San Mateo Bulldogs have never seen a transfer class like this one.
The 2024 California Community College Athletic Association football champ Bulldogs are set to transfer as many as 46 players on scholarship to four-year programs. There were 26 signed by winter break in December, with nearly as many signing with new schools in the spring. Forty-two players are committed to play at the next level in 2026, with four more set to transfer academically while still deciding whether or not to continue their playing careers.
"It's another tremendous, tremendous class," CSM head coach Tim Tulloch said.
With a new roster of players reporting Monday for summer sessions, CSM had over 100 players on the field. This is the norm for the community college team that has now been declared the de facto national championship team, and has captured two 3C2A titles in the past three seasons.
This year's transfer class has several names from the program's first state championship team in 2022, headlined by tight end Brendan Doyle. As a sophomore at CSM, Doyle had two touchdown catches in the 2022 state title game, a 55-0 win over Riverside, before transferring to University of Memphis. Now, as a graduate student, he will transfer for a fifth year of eligibility to Stanford University.
CSM has had two previous players transfer to Stanford academically — Jerrel Brown (CSM, 2011 and '12) via University of Idaho; and Andrew Ho (CSM 2013 and '14), via University of Hawaii. Doyle is the first in CSM football history to transfer to the Farm as a player.
The 2024 Bulldogs touted a 3.43 team gpa, as highlighted by four players set to transfer to Cal — defensive end John Gayer, quarterback Dominic Ingrassia, tight end Simon Mapa and linebacker Odera Okaka — as well as two transferring to Cal Poly — quarterback Anthony Grigsby and wide receiver Fidel Pitts.
"You don't transfer this many guys without them having great academics," Tulloch said.
The Bulldogs also recently earned some great hardware, this in the wake of their 43-11 win Dec. 14, over Mt. San Antonio in the 2024 3C2A State Football Championship game.
At the CSM Football Award Ceremony, held May 21 at the College of San Mateo Theatre, players were presented with their national championship rings.
"We do it kind of like the ESPYs, show some highlights, give some awards," Tulloch said. "And when you have a season like we had, there's a lot of awards and recognition and thanks to go around."
Tulloch said the best dressed of the bunch was defensive line coach Jason Hardee. Everyone was beaming when bestowed with their diamond-encrusted rings, though.
"Just the excitement when you see their faces," Tulloch said. "Because everyone sees the championship game, and you won this, but in our building we don't talk about winning, we talk about earning. … State championships are earned. … Lots of hours and hours and hours and days and weeks and months. And when it comes to fruition, and you win that title, that ring represents a lot of hard work."
CSM transfers:
Andrew Buck, Chapman University, LB
Jermaine Hargraves, McNeese State, DB
Kalen Woods, Middle Tennesse State, DB
Kimani Stafford, Morgan State, DB
Pita Vi, Sacramento State, DL
Tashi Dorje, San Diego State, P/K
Luke Williams, San Diego State, LS
John Gayer, UC Berkeley/Utah State, DL
Dominic Ingrassia, UC Berkeley, QB
Simon Mapa UC Berkeley/New Mexico, TE
Odera Okaka, UC Berkeley, OLB
KB Boone-Nelson, Western Michigan, WR
Lolo Mataele, Western Michigan, RB
Devon Gordon, Morehead State, DB
Sherrod Smith, Boise State University, DB
Cyrus Durham, Akron University, DE
Brendan Doyle, Stanford University, TE
Demeitrius Freeney, Boise State, CB
Reymello Murphy, UConn, WR
Anthony Grigsby, Cal Poly, QB
Fidel Pitts, Cal Poly, WR
Malik Johnson, Ferris State University, LB
Amari Roberson, Wayne State, DB
Ezra Funa, University of Arizona, DL
Siale Uluave, University of Arizona, OL
Semisi Latu, Portland State, OL/TE
James Minot, Portland State, OL/TE
Malaki Teo, Coastal Carolina, LB
Nehamaiah Musika, Akron University, DL
Dominique Lampkin, University of Texas Permian Basin, DB
Mckyle So'oto, University of Texas Permian Basin, LB
Soa Takeifanga, Purdue University, OL
Jojo Flood, Western Colorado, DB
Nelson Ramirez, University of Alabama-Birmingham, OL/TE
Conner Annicharico, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, QB
Dominic Childress, Adams State, DL
Hassan Mahasin, Georgetown University, WR
Afu Fonua, Missouri Valley College, OL
Maurice Savage, Weber State, WR
Conor Uniacke, Adams State, OL/TE
Nico Caruso, Cal Lutheran Univesity, WR
David Fononga, University of Hawaii, OL
Valentino Foni University of Texas Permian Basin, TE
Evaluating several offers:
Michael Taliauli, DL