Weeks after leaving Notre Dame and entering the transfer portal, Tobias Merriweather announced Thursday he’s committed to Cal, bringing the former Union High School receiver back to the west coast.
Merriweather made the announcement on social media, posting a graphic of him wearing a navy blue and gold Golden Bears football uniform with a caption that simply read, “go time.” The 6-foot-4 receiver will have two years of eligibility remaining.
He considered both Washington and Cal, but ultimately chose the latter after a recent visit to the Berkeley, Calif. campus, telling 247Sports conversations with wide receivers coach Burl Toler and director of player personnel Marshall Cherrington were important during the recruiting process. Merriweather was also intrigued by the prospect of playing in an offense led by Mike Bloesch, who was recently promoted to offensive coordinator.
“Coaching definitely played a huge role in recruiting,” Merriweather told 247Sports. “Knowing coach Toler for so long, it was great for me. Our personalities match nicely and he has shown me exactly how he wants to develop me which is extremely important for me, in both my short and long-term goals. That, along with coach (Mike) Bloesch and what he did at North Texas a few years back are both huge reasons I made my decision.”
Merriweather spent two seasons at Notre Dame, finishing the 2023 season with 14 catches for 284 yards and two touchdowns. But after the Fighting Irish fired wide receivers coach Chansi Stuckey in November, a mass exodus of receivers from the program followed.
Along with Merriweather, fellow receivers Chris Tyree, Braylon James, Rico Flores Jr., Kris Mitchell and Beaux Collins all left Notre Dame between late November and December. Merriweather announced his decision to transfer on Nov. 29 before the portal opened Dec. 4.
“I want to thank Coach Freeman and his staff for giving me a chance to fulfill my dreams of playing college football,” Merriweather wrote in a Nov. 29 social media post. “I am grateful for my time at the University of Notre Dame and all it has offered me. I feel blessed to have formed friendships that will last a lifetime.
“After careful consideration, consultation with my family and prayer, I have decided to seek an opportunity that best fits me and I will be entering the transfer portal.”
Merriweather thanked his family for their support as he navigated the college recruiting process for the second time. During his high school career, 247Sports ranked him as the nation’s No. 11 receiver recruit and 79th overall in the 2022 class. He received scholarship offers from every Pac-12 school, plus a number of other high-profile programs. He joins Cal as the university nears its transition to the ACC in 2024.
“From my family I just get a sense of pride from all of them,” Merriweather told 247Sports. “For me to make the decision to enter the portal with so much on the line and make what I and we believe is the right choice, continuing to chase my dreams at another prestigious university, I just think they’re extremely proud of me and excited for the next chapter.”
