Aggie quarterback Caden Pinnick announces he has entered the transfer portal

Pinnick had a standout freshman campaign as one of the top quarterbacks in the FCS

Confirming the worst fears of diehard Aggie football fans, standout UC Davis quarterback Caden Pinnick has announced that he is entering the transfer portal.

The revised portal is open this year only from Jan. 2-16 and Pinnick declared with an Instagram post on the first day.

Caden Pinnick

Said Pinnick, “Grateful for the journey so far. After a lot of thought and conversations with my family, I’ve decided to enter the transfer portal. This wasn’t an easy decision and it comes with immense respect and appreciation for the coaches, teammates, staff and the Davis community that welcomed me, supported me and believed in me from day one.

“I’m thankful for every rep, every lesson, every relationship and every moment that’s gotten me to this point. I’ve grown tremendously because of the people around me, and I’ll always carry that with me.

“I’m excited for what’s ahead and ready for the next opportunity to keep developing, competing and chasing my goals.

“Thank you to everyone who’s been part of this chapter. I’m truly grateful.”

He followed that with his signature and included a photo of himself in a full Aggie uniform with his number “12” on his sleeve, rolling out as if to pass, with a football in his hands.

While entering the transfer portal does not definitively exclude Pinnick from playing for the Aggies next season, the wording does make it sound as if he’s moving on.

Some players use the portal to dip their toes in the water and see what offers might come their way, then decide to stay put.

It is widely known that Pinnick is considered a hot commodity on the open market for his rare talent as both a passer and as an escape artist who can turn a sure sack into a long run.

He is also known as a serious student of the game with a strong work ethic and substantial leadership qualities, besides being an excellent student.

The amount of money he can command on the open market is considerably more than UC Davis can offer, though his final decision is likely to rest as much on playing at the FBS level as it is on dollars and cents.

Pinnick had a standout freshman season with the Aggies in 2025, hitting 69.6 percent of his pass attempts for 3,206 yards and 32 touchdowns.

He was also a threat with his legs, rushing for 647 yards - not counting sacks - and three scores.

He finished second in the voting for the Jerry Rice Award that goes to the top freshman in FCS football.

Also in the portal is electric UCD running back Carter Vargas, who rushed for 445 yards, five touchdowns and a 6.6 yard per carry average before sitting out the last few games of the season with a leg injury.