Cal LB Cade Uluave on his evolution from freshman standout to defensive leader

Cal inside linebacker Cade Uluave practiced a little during spring, but kept it easy due to an early injury.

Cal linebacker Cade Uluave was limited during spring, but his impressive freshman campaign now has him locked in as one of the leaders on a defense in transition.

Uluave had one session with the media during spring practice.

What’s the key to staying engaged?

Definitely been on the mental side of the ball, as our far as our defense goes, defense changes every year. So we're going to have to adjust and adapt.

And for me to be in the film room, getting mental reps, this huge for me because, I'm not able to get on this field yet.So getting those mental reps every play, watching myself will keep me engaged and keep me ready for whenever I step on the field.

On his freshman breakout campaign

Personally, coming in as a freshman I wasn't expecting to play a whole lot to be honest. And so when my time came, I knew how to set things up. And I knew had to be that guy and, run the defense and everything. And so what I did well is I felt like I learned the defense really well, adjusted really well.

I was able to make some plays and what not and just bond with the defense and learn the defense better, which is what's really helped me.

Some things that I can work on is probably being, like I said earlier, being more mental in the game, being able to understand different formations, what the offense is trying to run, different pass concepts and run concepts out of each formation and personnel group.

And so just that and then also being an alpha on the field as a freshman, having a season under my belt, now it's time for me to level up on the field, be more of a leader and be more of a better teammate.

On the game slowing down for him

I think my my first rep against defense against Oregon State, I was in there and I was like, what happened?

And so then the, last few games, I’m reading everything read my keys, everything's going smoothly. And I just felt more confident like a better player. And so the game slowed down.Everything's making sense more.

And so I strive to get better each day and improve myself as a player or a person athlete, whatever it may be.

On confidence going into sophomore year

I think my game will excel and level up, got to keep working, got to stay hungry. Can't be good with where I'm at…satisfied.

Got to keep going. Keep leveling up each day, daily thing.

On working with the running backs last year helped him

I was like, cool, Like this could be cool. I was kind of open to whatever.

I was like, because I had to get on the field. However, I can get on the field and make plays and contribute to a team I was up for. And so going with the running backs was an adjustment, was fun . You got to run the ball, you score touchdowns, whatnot.

But also I am grateful for switching to running back for those few weeks because I was able to understand more of the offense and what the offense is trying to do in the objectives offense are trying to do and then apply it to defense.

I know what the offense is trying to run and it just helps me sense we have to make better plays and stuff.

What do you think of how the defense has come together this year so far?

Defense, it's good. I think it's I think it's solid defense. I think we're going to level up our game and we're going to be a force to be reckoned with. Got some new transfers and everything.

And those guys seem to be learning the system really well.There's ball making plays, having fun, just learning it, being confident and just going out and doing our thing.

On the new inside linebackers

They're doing great. I think they're adapting really well, learning the defense and everything, especially from our new guys, are new freshmen coming in early. You can tell they put in the time in the film room and got extra reps and worked on their technique to, you know, contribute to the team.

On the weight

Probably around the 235 range. You know, maybe I could go down to 230, maybe go to 240 if I'm feeling good. But aanywhere in that range is where I'm comfortable and last year, I was about 220, towards the end of the season, probably 222, 223.

So, you know, I was able to get it up and you got to make sure you can still move it up a little bit more and not lose a step. We're able to track our speed and everything. And so as I was putting on weight, I was able to keep my speed.