Cal Football: Ex-JC Standout Luke Bottari Transfers as Walk-On QB From Utah

Cal has added to its depth at quarterback with the news that Luke Bottari, a former standout at College of San Mateo, will transfer to the program as a walk-on after one season at Utah.

Bottari was the Northern California Player of the Year in 2019 for CSM and also was the Bulldogs’ starting quarterback in 2021. He spent last fall at Utah but saw no action and was not listed on the Utes’ depth chart.

He arrives at Cal with two years of eligibility.

Bottari announced his plans on social media:

The 5-foot-10, 205-pounder passed for 4,673 yards and 46 touchdowns in two seasons at CSM, leading the program to a combined record of 22-3 in 2019 and ’21.

He passed for 2,481 yards with 28 TDs and just seven interceptions in 2021, when his favorite target was Mason Starling, who also is now at Cal. Starling caught 13 touchdown passes from Bottari that season.

Bottari earned all-state honors and was named NorCal Player of the Year in 2019.

Cal has three scholarship quarterbacks on its roster, although none of them have ever taken a snap for the Bears. The presumed starter is TCU transfer Sam Jackson V, who won the job during spring ball. Ben Finley, a transfer from North Carolina State, arrived after spring practice ended, and sophomore-to-be Fernando Mendoza fill out the threesome.

Other non-scholarship quarterbacks in the program are Noah Mitcheom and Tyler Jensen.

Bottari prepped at Serra High School in San Mateo, where he set eight passing records at the alma mater of Tom Brady. Bottari was a two-time West Catholic Athletic League Quarterback of the Year and twice earned all-state honors.

Cover photo of Luke Bottari

Follow Jeff Faraudo of Cal Sports Report on Twitter: @jefffaraudo