
Carlton Brown (left) of Nevada and Reed Shumpert (right) of Washington State have completed transfer requirements and will play football at Cal Poly next season.
Cal Poly Adds Brown, Shumpert to Growing List of Transfers
1/31/2023 9:27:00 AM | Football
SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. -- First-year Cal Poly head football coach Paul Wulff has announced the addition of two more transfers from four-year universities to the Mustang football roster for the 2023 season.
The pair -- tight end Carlton Brown from Nevada and wide receiver Reed Shumpert from Washington State -- join quarterback Sam Huard (Washington), linebacker Ethan Calvert and offensive lineman Thomas Cole as transfers to Cal Poly announced over the last six weeks. All have signed financial aid agreements and will participate in Spring Camp starting April 4.
Brown (6-6, 227), a 2020 graduate of Mission Prep in San Luis Obispo, played in eight games with one start at Nevada last fall, making four catches for 44 yards. His first collegiate catch was for eight yards against Texas State while his longest reception went for 37 yards versus Boise State.
Brown did not make any appearances in a game during his redshirt season in 2021. He has three seasons of eligibility remaining.
At Mission Prep, Brown caught 43 passes over two seasons (2018 and 2019) for 812 yards and 16 touchdowns. He did not play football as a senior during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Brown was a first-team all-Ocean League selection as a junior in football. He was heavily involved in a number of community service endeavors, including Special Olympics, Black Lives Matter, Jack's Helping Hand and working with migrant families.
We've known of Carlton for quite some time with him being from San Luis Obispo and watching him grow in high school," said Wulff. "After two seasons at the University of Nevada, I believe the time was right for him, and for us to add a veteran tight end. We believe he fits our football team extremely well at this point.
"Carlton only played two years of high school football, so there's still a lot of room for growth," Wulff added, " "but his athleticism and size will benefit the tight end room. We're looking forward to having Carlton join us as soon as possible so he can get adjusted to the team and our offense. We are very fortunate to add Carlton to our team."
Brown also played basketball at Mission Prep and enjoys making music in his free time. His mother, Sheri Brown, played tennis at Cal Poly.
Shumpert (5-11, 170) was a redshirt at Washington State during the 2021 season and did not appear in a game as a redshirt freshman in 2022. The preferred walk-on was named Washington State Scout Team Player of the Week following the Cougars' 34-21 win over Arizona State last fall.
After attending Stadium High School in Tacoma, Wash., as a freshman, earning the team's Freshman of the Year honor, Shumpert transferred to Kennedy Catholic High School in Burien, Wash. He was named Newcomer of the Year as a sophomore, earning All-North Puget Sound League honors at wide receiver after catching 28 passes for 416 yards and six touchdowns in seven games.
Shumpert was a first-team All-NPSL as a junior, playing in 12 games with 38 receptions for 551 yards and 12 touchdowns. He repeated as a first-team All-NPSL honoree during his senior season, which included 27 catches for 541 yards and six touchdowns in six games resulting in a 6-0 mark for the Lancers.
Shumpert finished his high school career with four varsity letters and was a team captain for three years under head coach Sheldon Cross, who was named Cal Poly's offensive coordinator earlier this month. Shumpert caught 93 passes for 1,508 yards and 24 touchdowns in three seasons at Kennedy Catholic.
"Reed was an outstanding high school football player who played for Coach Cross in high school and had an excellent high school career as well," said Wulff. "He ended up attending Washington State for the last two years.
"Reed is quick and fast," Wulff added. "His explosiveness should put pressure on defenses in our passing game. Reed was a teammate with Sam Huard in High School, so naturally there is a comfort level with each other as they make their way to San Luis Obispo."
After entering the Transfer Portal, Shumpert received offers from UTEP, Montana, Stephen F. Austin, Samford, Northern Colorado, Northern Arizona, Southern Utah and Texas Southern before deciding to renew his acquaintance with Cross at Cal Poly.
The pair -- tight end Carlton Brown from Nevada and wide receiver Reed Shumpert from Washington State -- join quarterback Sam Huard (Washington), linebacker Ethan Calvert and offensive lineman Thomas Cole as transfers to Cal Poly announced over the last six weeks. All have signed financial aid agreements and will participate in Spring Camp starting April 4.
Brown (6-6, 227), a 2020 graduate of Mission Prep in San Luis Obispo, played in eight games with one start at Nevada last fall, making four catches for 44 yards. His first collegiate catch was for eight yards against Texas State while his longest reception went for 37 yards versus Boise State.
Brown did not make any appearances in a game during his redshirt season in 2021. He has three seasons of eligibility remaining.
At Mission Prep, Brown caught 43 passes over two seasons (2018 and 2019) for 812 yards and 16 touchdowns. He did not play football as a senior during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Brown was a first-team all-Ocean League selection as a junior in football. He was heavily involved in a number of community service endeavors, including Special Olympics, Black Lives Matter, Jack's Helping Hand and working with migrant families.
We've known of Carlton for quite some time with him being from San Luis Obispo and watching him grow in high school," said Wulff. "After two seasons at the University of Nevada, I believe the time was right for him, and for us to add a veteran tight end. We believe he fits our football team extremely well at this point.
"Carlton only played two years of high school football, so there's still a lot of room for growth," Wulff added, " "but his athleticism and size will benefit the tight end room. We're looking forward to having Carlton join us as soon as possible so he can get adjusted to the team and our offense. We are very fortunate to add Carlton to our team."
Brown also played basketball at Mission Prep and enjoys making music in his free time. His mother, Sheri Brown, played tennis at Cal Poly.
Shumpert (5-11, 170) was a redshirt at Washington State during the 2021 season and did not appear in a game as a redshirt freshman in 2022. The preferred walk-on was named Washington State Scout Team Player of the Week following the Cougars' 34-21 win over Arizona State last fall.
After attending Stadium High School in Tacoma, Wash., as a freshman, earning the team's Freshman of the Year honor, Shumpert transferred to Kennedy Catholic High School in Burien, Wash. He was named Newcomer of the Year as a sophomore, earning All-North Puget Sound League honors at wide receiver after catching 28 passes for 416 yards and six touchdowns in seven games.
Shumpert was a first-team All-NPSL as a junior, playing in 12 games with 38 receptions for 551 yards and 12 touchdowns. He repeated as a first-team All-NPSL honoree during his senior season, which included 27 catches for 541 yards and six touchdowns in six games resulting in a 6-0 mark for the Lancers.
Shumpert finished his high school career with four varsity letters and was a team captain for three years under head coach Sheldon Cross, who was named Cal Poly's offensive coordinator earlier this month. Shumpert caught 93 passes for 1,508 yards and 24 touchdowns in three seasons at Kennedy Catholic.
"Reed was an outstanding high school football player who played for Coach Cross in high school and had an excellent high school career as well," said Wulff. "He ended up attending Washington State for the last two years.
"Reed is quick and fast," Wulff added. "His explosiveness should put pressure on defenses in our passing game. Reed was a teammate with Sam Huard in High School, so naturally there is a comfort level with each other as they make their way to San Luis Obispo."
After entering the Transfer Portal, Shumpert received offers from UTEP, Montana, Stephen F. Austin, Samford, Northern Colorado, Northern Arizona, Southern Utah and Texas Southern before deciding to renew his acquaintance with Cross at Cal Poly.
Players Mentioned
Coach Wulff Postgame Interview - Western Oregon (9-13-25)
Sunday, September 14
Michael Briscoe & Mikey D'Amato Postgame Interview - Western Oregon (9-13-25)
Sunday, September 14
Cal Poly vs. Western Oregon, Football Highlights -- Sep 13th, 2025
Sunday, September 14
Cal Poly football players get a sneak peek at the construction of the John Madden Football Center
Friday, July 11