45 Comments
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Jimmy Chitwood's avatar

Plenty of respect for Cade. He suited up with a cast for the final month of the year, including in the bowl game when he absolutely did not have to…he also never quit on his team, specifically in a regular season game by pretending to be sick or try and chase off our incoming recruits with nasty phone calls and text messages. ;-)

So long as he doesn’t pull a Jaydn Ott and talk schitt about the Cal program after he leaves, I wish him all the best in Provo.

Justbear's avatar

The second half of his true freshman campaign was just amazing. Interceptions, fumble recoveries, sacks, TD. He showed so much potential. I wish he could have finished the college career at Cal but I wish him the best and hope Tosh can replace him with an even better player.

Jimmy Chitwood's avatar

Remember the huge impact he had in the W over Cam Ward and Wazzu.

Justbear's avatar

I remember the UCLA game well but didn't remember the Wazzu game so I just watched it. https://youtu.be/KzkIR6R9W4A?si=Fl24uhDi04P5SdRF

Uluave is all over the field. Other Cal players whose plays were shown: Mendoza, Ott, Endries.

KetamineCal's avatar

Rumor has it that Cade tried to sign with Michigan but couldn't meet academic requirements. Michigan is really protective of their diplomas so only allow 60 transfer units unless there's a strict 1:1 class match. It's screwed them multiple times trying to transfer upperclassmen. This kind of issue is why players may opt to graduate early.

This is something I would expect of Berkeley so it's hilarious to see it in Michigan of all places. I can only imagine how many forehead veins Harbaugh exploded, especially after he thought he left that stuff behind at Furd.

JoJoSungy's avatar

Feels like yearbook signing. Go off and succeed young man. Thanks for the memories.

KetamineCal's avatar

Yeah, I don't hate him or anything. His coaching staff left so we can only expect so much. BYU is going to have a great defense next year.

I think we can have a solid one too, but we have many more unknowns (including with our coaching staff).

KetamineCal's avatar

On3 has us with a new kicker from Auburn transferring in, though I can't find confirmation so could be an error. His stats are...not great, though he was well-regarded coming out of HS.

Edit: he did come for a visit. So probably true.

KetamineCal's avatar

Rumor mill: So now people are saying that Cade may have some admissions/credits issues with Michigan so EJ Holand flipped his prediction to BYU. Michigan just got BYU LB Max Alford. Never heard of a "trade" between teams before via the portal so some of the speculation of that has to chill.

I'm less convinced that Cade is staying at Cal, but it's all vibes, not data.

Jimmy Chitwood's avatar

This was probably some Michigan spin.

KetamineCal's avatar

That's what I thought but apparently it is a thing that happens there. They really want upper division work to be done at Michigan.

Justbear's avatar

The longer it takes, higher his chances of returning I hope. He has to go take class sometime soon.

KetamineCal's avatar

Kendrick Raphael to SMU. I think we got good new talent in the RB room but I think he was a good RB too.

JoJoSungy's avatar

He is respectfully doing the all coast tour of the ACC

KetamineCal's avatar

How dare he transfer to our *checks notes* rival SMU!

Justbear's avatar

I hope some blue blood school HC bolts for NFL HC vacancy and we get a few more 4* players entering the portal before it closes.

David's avatar

If the HC leaves I believe the players no that team have a new window in which to enter the portal. ??

BerkeleyBear's avatar

I have a contrarian view on Uluave. He was the leader and captain of the defense that finished 13th in the ACC. It's a team game, there are many others that could fill his shoes particularly since Cal will be running a different defense that doesn't feature the LB position as much as Wilcox's defenses did. If they can get him for a reasonable price great, if not put King Salmon or someone else in there and let them become a star.

KetamineCal's avatar

I think we can be decent with or without Cade, though it's hard to argue that we'll be better without him. Players of his caliber leave all the time whether it's due to injury, transfer, graduation, or the NFL. The bigger problem is losing him AND enough other defensive talent without replacing it. Tosh, Hutchings, and Brown weren't born yesterday, so I'm sure they'll have a plan regardless. Ducks fans are convinced Tosh is stealing half their defense, which I would very much enjoy!

Tyler L's avatar

Great point. I don’t think he’s a priority. I appreciate the emphasis on DL and think Tosh wants more size and speed at the position. The opportunity for playing time at LB could entice some real talent from this HS class.

Ryan Foster's avatar

I might be skewed towards Nam and Wetbeef's Mass film breakdowns, but Uluave was really iffy in run defense last year, notable standouts being how out of position he consistently seemed to be against Virginia Tech, a team that was only capable of running the ball.

And like you said, he was the heart and soul of a defense that was incredibly mediocre for most of his tenure. I'm ok with finding a new defensive leader if his asking price is too damn high.

Don't get me wrong, loved Cade and his attitude but I'd rank him well behind Weaver and Buchanan for the Wilcox era

Peetyjay's avatar

And Jordan Kunaszyk before Weaver!

BerkeleyBear's avatar

Amen on Weaver that dude was incredible for Cal. What do you think about King Salmon? I was at the Minnesota game when he started in place of Cade and he all over the field making plays. I would not rule him out as the next standout Cal LB.

Ryan Foster's avatar

Loved Hampton this year, there were times that Cade was out with an injury where it felt like we got better at Run D when he was in. Insanely impressive that both Ferelli and Hampton beat out Taggart for the starting LB spot alongside Cade this year, idk what happened to him at the end of the day because I remember BYU fans being upset he left last offseason.

Also took me a hot second to figure out who you were talking about with "King Salmon", but I absolutely love that nickname for him.

Stanfurdstinks's avatar

I suprised that Taggart did not get as much run. Uluave played well considering he was one handed and the DL was not doing him many favors.

Dominick Damiani's avatar

They must be able to keep Ulave for his entire career at Cal. . He is the most important piece for the CAL Defense. He is a big emotional and physical leader on the team. Please find away in keeping him here ..

Blondiesandtopdog's avatar

But don’t overpay.

Peetyjay's avatar

Utah-theme appropriate, Uluave could model John Stockton and play his entire CFB career for one team!

GoldenHairs's avatar

I mean based on the nick article it's not about the best player you can get it's about the best player for the price. So if Cade is demanding too much money then so be it we settle for the bargain market cade and just build a stronger overall team

justbearly's avatar

More Red Bull for everybody!

Take off that Red Shirt's avatar

Tosh ab to Tedford Dan Lanning. Sweet redemption

JoJoSungy's avatar

Do we haz a LB coach?

KetamineCal's avatar

No news that I've seen unless Tosh is doing it himself like he did at Oregon. Or Hutchings was a LB himself.

Cleancutmedia's avatar

not putting too much stock on that on3 prediction for Uluave yet.

I mean I get it.. they think... oh Cal is insignificant. He is going to go to Texas or Michigan for sure. Oh texas signed someone. Ok let's call it for Michigan.

I put 50\50 at this point. At least at CAL he knows he is the undisputed leader and will get all teh playing time he wants. Plus our team is looking better and better. Only piece I don't know is the situation in Michigan. Will he be competing for the starting spot?

KetamineCal's avatar

People are saying BYU is in the mix also since he's from Utah, but I haven't heard of him taking a visit there. Someone updated his Wikipedia page to say BYU, but he hasn't shared any commitment.

All the info seems to point to him testing the waters with a few high-profile programs. I hope this means that he is open to a counteroffer from us. Agree, feels very 50/50. That he didn't immediately commit to Michigan is a potentially good sign, but I wouldn't read much into that either.

KetamineCal's avatar

I'm sure the Calgorithm is already feeding multiple AI models that he's decided to return to Berkeley. But I award points for the Cougs for making me nostalgic for the 2000s.

Justbear's avatar

Here's the screenshot of it

https://x.com/i/status/2010815787267731665

Bob R must be going crazy over this signing.

Stanfurdstinks's avatar

He just annouced his commitment to UTEP. It's over.

Cici's avatar

I hope we retain him. Would be shocked if he chose Ann Arbor over Berkeley but not shocked if it’s BYU.

Heino's avatar

Please Cade just make the decision so Tosh and Co. can make moves accordingly.

More than intrigued by Perry, read about him earlier and figured he'd be big-boy bound.

And of course Purchase, that would be incredible.

JoJoSungy's avatar

Is there an all-in-one roster update with early signing period AND transfer portal?