Thanks for the additional info - it sounded in your original post that he was just holding out for Berkeley - I didn’t mean to be a Debbie downer about future admissions chances, anecdotally we had a friend’s son who deferred and later was rejected for transfer from Davis, but it may have been any number of factors including his CC grades, they just ascribed it to Davis ‘not wanting him after he declined.’ None of us are AO’s and could say what may happen with any certainty.
I’m sorry it’s a tough spot - but agree with @tsbna44 that the degree is what is important for his field, and not as much the where. He’s obviously a strong student - I’m hoping for the best!!