Cal LB Kamar Mothudi on Following Tosh Lupoi, Ramadan, What The Bears Can Become
The Oregon transfer brought playoff experience with him and is already seeing familiar qualities in his new program.
Kamar Mothudi’s path to Cal was straightforward, built on a pre-existing relationship with Tosh Lupoi from Oregon.
“It’s definitely been a transition, but something that’s been exciting. Coach T, that’s my guy. Recruited me, spent my two years with him at Oregon. Love him, and I’m just grateful to be here with him.”
When he entered the portal, the connection made the decision easy.
“There were definitely a few places I was considering, but you can’t beat relationships. I already had rapport with Coach Leo. That was really the main thing.”
Mothudi arrived with firsthand knowledge of what a College Football Playoff program looks like from the inside, and he’s trying to bring those habits with him.
“The biggest thing I’ve learned is honestly the qualities of a playoff team, whether that’s guys getting in extra work or being connected outside of football. Just the things we were doing at Oregon that led to our success, bringing those qualities to Cal.”
He already sees those qualities taking shape.
“100%. I definitely think our pillars, relentless effort, power unit, all those things that Coach Tosh is building the program on, are based off those. So it definitely all goes together.”
The practice environment at Cal felt familiar right away.
“Tough, competitive. Hard nose practices and that’s what we need. It’s good for us.”
First pads day brought a simple verdict.
“It’s fun. Lot of fun. Great to be back hitting people, making plays.”
For Cal fans who haven’t seen him play yet, Mothudi offered a quick scouting report.
“Physical, exciting, strong hands. I love attacking the point of attack, striking players.”
Beyond football, Mothudi was featured in a Cal social media video about Ramadan, and he opened up about navigating fasting during spring ball as a Muslim athlete.
“I’m Muslim. Ramadan, you fast for 30 days from sunrise to sunset. I was raised Muslim, so I’ve been doing it since I was about five. You’re not obligated until you hit puberty, but I think it’s better to start early. Fasting, you can’t eat or drink any water. The main challenge is just getting in fluids and everything beforehand around 5:30 and then making sure I have enough to last through the day and then refueling at night.”
The first padded practice while fasting was a real test.
“First practice, pads, hot. I was just extremely fatigued. Body feels heavy and then there’s no water. So it’s a lot of spraying on the face and back of the neck, just trying to keep myself cool externally because I can’t drink water.”
He’s been doing it long enough to know how to approach it mentally.
“I started off doing half days, just going from sunrise to like maybe 12 or one, and then extending that time as I got older. I think it’s about how you look at it. Some people view it as, oh, I can’t eat, I can’t drink. But you have to remember why you’re doing it. It’s to remember the people who might be less fortunate. So it’s a lot about perspective.”
On whether fasting offers any football benefit, Mothudi was honest.
“Honestly, probably not. It’s definitely hard, I’m losing body weight, I could cramp easier because of the fluids. But I do it because I almost feel like it gives me strength. I look at other athletes, like if Kyrie’s able to fast while dropping 30 in an NBA game, then I can definitely push myself through a football practice.”
And on what this Cal team can become, he kept it simple.
“I think we have something special. I love my team, I love our guys. Just going to keep focusing on what we’ve been focusing on and just keep going.”
THIS is an enlightened program. I admire this young man’s character and can envision no greater place for him than this university.