Cal Tight End Dorian Thomas Embodies Resilience as Golden Bears Prepare to Face No. 21 Wake Forest

As the University of California football team prepares to face 21st-ranked Wake Forest on Saturday in Atlantic Coast Conference action, 21-year-old tight end Dorian Thomas has emerged as a vital physical and emotional leader at California Memorial Stadium in Berkeley. It has already been an unpredictable season for the Golden Bears: defensive back Kingston Lopa recorded a hat trick of three interceptions in one half against Syracuse, Cal's offensive coordinator was replaced mid-game against UNLV, and a backup quarterback led Cal to victory against Virginia Tech with three key players injured.

Standing 6-foot-4, Thomas arrived in Berkeley this offseason after transferring from the University of New Mexico as the sixth-ranked tight end in the transfer portal. A 2023 graduate of Kentridge High School where he was rated the twelfth-ranked tight end in Washington, Thomas attended the University of Arizona, redshirted his freshman year, and played four games his sophomore year before transferring. During his time at Arizona, Thomas described experiencing depression and mental health struggles while navigating the pressures of collegiate football.

His personal resilience was tested further when his father, Greg, experienced kidney failure and received a life-saving kidney transplant in 2024. Seeking a supportive environment, Thomas transferred to New Mexico for 2025, where head coach Jason Eck made a lasting impression. Thomas recalled that Eck told him on his visit that he did not want him to just be a good football player, but wanted him to be a good man. At New Mexico, Thomas scored on a memorable trick play against Michigan in 2025, with a direct snap to running back DJ McKinney who threw to Thomas for a touchdown.

Athletic department counselors and student-athlete advisory committees in Berkeley and across the East Bay have praised Thomas for speaking candidly about mental health recovery and family perseverance. Coaches noted that his maturity has steadied Cal's offensive unit through coordinator adjustments and injury adversity ahead of Saturday's test against Wake Forest.

Cal football supporters across Berkeley, Walnut Creek, Concord, and Oakland can access Saturday kickoff times, live radio broadcasts, and Memorial Stadium ticket details online at calbears.com. Student-athlete wellness resources and counseling programs remain accessible through UC Berkeley University Health Services on Tang Center Way. Questions regarding football tickets on Piedmont Avenue may be directed to (800) 462-3277.