#99
Zae Smith
Returning to California for 2026
Zae Smith
Zae Smith arrived at California from Houston Christian. One game to point at: 2 tackles against Virginia Tech — Week 9, 2025.
Low coverage — composed from the verified record.
- portal record
- game log
Career Arc
HS
Recruit
★★★
CFB
College
California
NFL
NFL Draft
—
2025 snapshot
Season context · Team result + system
2025California7-6HC: Justin Wilcox · Pass-leaning
Splits & context
Supporting Cast · Scheme
Staff and system around the player
Head Coach
Tosh Lupoi
Career stats
| Season | Team | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | California | 5 | 2 | 1.0 | 0.0 | -- | -- | -- |
| Career | 5 | 2 | 1.0 | 0.0 | -- | -- | -- |
How he plays
2026 Outlook
California
2026 Depth chart
Projected starter
Defensive line · California
Returning around him
- 1 California player drafted to NFL
- Transfer portal: -4 net (32 in / 36 out)
2026 Award watch
No preseason watch lists yet (most drop June 15 – July 15)
California · Last season: 7-6 · Talent rank #36 · 2026 recruiting class #56
Stats from CFBD · ESPN · fan discourse. Every figure computed from source tables — not invented. Methodology