One of the greatest recruiting dramas in Cal history, the kind where if it happened in the SEC they'd be telling tales about it decades after the fact.
Maybe poor journalism and likely relies on outdated references, possibly from when he initially committed to Cal. Twitter is a major platform for CFB, neither coach has acknowledged the news; Harsin has. Probably Harsin's #1 job has OC - get him back.
Is there something about athletes with names starting with “Ja…” coming to Cal over the years? How many can you name? I’ll start it with Jaylon Tyson and Jaylen Brown…
Jamaal Wiley, Ja’ir Smith, Jaiven Plummer, Jasiah Wagoner, Jaiden Parker, Jake Arguello, I’m sure there are others I’m missing from this year’s team. It’s about popular baby names these days. Jalen Celestine, Jayda Curry, Jayda Noble, Jaelyn Brown (now in the WNBA with the Dallas Wings) are some others off the top of my head…
Not exactly a fair comparison, but the last time Harsin and Wilcox had a lefty QB who started as a freshman, they went 12-1. There's no world in which I expect that, but having JKS is huge moving forward.
I am elated Cal has landed a touted recruit, that last high value QB recruited from HS was Jared Goff and that ended up working out for Cal and Goff. Let’s be honest, JKS went to Cal for immediate play time and wanted less friction points towards the path of being a starter. Two things can be true, Cal needs a serious injection of talent at the QB position and JKS needs playing time for maximum exposure (leverage). I just hope he sticks around long enough where both parties benefit and maybe he even stays and builds a legacy at Cal. Anyways, welcome to Cal JKS, we are happy to have you, Go Bears Forever!
He came for a “chance” at immediate playing time and less friction for the job. I really don’t think we’re done with QBs in the portal. He was already coming here with Nando pegged for QB1 for presumably the next two years. A clearer path has a lot to do with his decision, but by all accounts he also values the overall vibes here and staff here as much.
Another thing can be true: he’s not good enough in his freshman year to start at a higher level program, but thinks he has a chance at starting at Cal right away, stepping in front of a returning quarterback who has multiple decent starts under his belt (when Harris’s Cal+Ohio games are considered). However the lanky Sagapolutele still needs a lot of work IMHO. Lacks twitch, and is still a bit slow to make reads, which at the P4 level could be a big problem if Cal’s revamped OL does not take a big step forward.
I'm just going to say it, with the portal FBS is officially crazy. From diluted-talent bowl games, to flip-flop-flips by teenagers, to talent following coaching moves, to players maximizing their NFL potential, the completely open portal is really tarnishing the NCAA, its member universities, and their respective fan bases. I only hope the NCAA reviews the portal rules and tightens them up to emphasize athletes as STUDENTS. Otherwise, the end of every season will signal 100% free agency and a naked farm system for the NFL. This is not what college football is supposed to be all about... apologies for the rant - GO BEARS!
Yeah they are no longer students. They are employees with lots of freedom to move. It’s time to privatize these college sports so colleges can go back to their mission of educating and research, together with amateur college student athletes who aren’t paid.
Such an awesome, amusing, and often uncomfortable turn of events. Hope it works out for everyone. He clearly wants a pro career and wants to maximize his time on the field to advance it quickly. Have to be a little nervous he'll be trigger happy to transfer, but if he's got clear motivations then you've got a clear target.
Starting Cal's most highly regarded freshman QB since Zach Kline (let that sober your expectations) is also a great way for Wilcox to keep his job with his signature 5-7 wins.
Zack Kline was supposed to be that guy. Went to Spring game the year Goff early enrolled and got a bunch of player autographs. We sought out Kline above all others, got Goffs as an afterthought. Who knew.
He was a big five star QB recruit from San Ramon who basically got beat out by Goff, never really played for Cal except that weird Oregon game when we were down a million in the rain
One of the greatest recruiting dramas in Cal history, the kind where if it happened in the SEC they'd be telling tales about it decades after the fact.
One might even call it a Saga(polutele).
From ESPN: https://www.espn.com/college-sports/recruiting/football/story/_/id/43297815/qb-recruit-jaron-keawe-sagapolutele-flips-cal-via-portal
Interesting that this article still mentions Bloesch and Gilbert. Are they still at Cal?
Sagapolutele said. "Coach Gilbert is going to develop me and it's a place where I'm going to be able to go in and compete early on."
JKS will come to Cal, find out Bloesch is no longer OC, and Gilbert no longer QB coach, he might enter the transfer portal in April.
So many new staff names came aboard, I fear it may have obscured news of some who left. That’s my windy way of saying “idk”.
🤔
Maybe poor journalism and likely relies on outdated references, possibly from when he initially committed to Cal. Twitter is a major platform for CFB, neither coach has acknowledged the news; Harsin has. Probably Harsin's #1 job has OC - get him back.
Late merry Christmas to all Bears football fans…we now need to get a possible game changing recruit for basketball!!
Eww. You had to mention basketball, and ruin my good thoughts. Oh, Woman's basketball on the other hand is very good.
I have a feeling we’ll still be talking about this as long as we’re alive.
Is there something about athletes with names starting with “Ja…” coming to Cal over the years? How many can you name? I’ll start it with Jaylon Tyson and Jaylen Brown…
Jason Kidd
Jahvid Best
Jared Goff, Jabari Bird, Jamal Sampson, Jamal Boykin
I have to count Jerome Randall for a phonetic fit.
Jackson Sirmon
Jack Endries
Jackson, DeSean
Jackson, Samuel
Jackson, Kameron
Jast coincidence.
Jaydn Ott
Jaivian Thomas
Jamaal Wiley, Ja’ir Smith, Jaiven Plummer, Jasiah Wagoner, Jaiden Parker, Jake Arguello, I’m sure there are others I’m missing from this year’s team. It’s about popular baby names these days. Jalen Celestine, Jayda Curry, Jayda Noble, Jaelyn Brown (now in the WNBA with the Dallas Wings) are some others off the top of my head…
“Jaron was a man who thought he was a Quackman
But he knew it couldn't last
Jojo left his home in Ewa Beach, Hawaii
For some California grass
Get back, get back
Get back to where you once belonged
Get back, get back
Get back to where you once belonged
Get back Jaron
Go home…”
Let’s hope we pass the audition…
Don't count your chickens until....
I’d like to think we need to keep all the positive vibes going!!
Perfect comment.
And it begins!
Welcome Home, Jaron!
ALOHA!
Not exactly a fair comparison, but the last time Harsin and Wilcox had a lefty QB who started as a freshman, they went 12-1. There's no world in which I expect that, but having JKS is huge moving forward.
I am elated Cal has landed a touted recruit, that last high value QB recruited from HS was Jared Goff and that ended up working out for Cal and Goff. Let’s be honest, JKS went to Cal for immediate play time and wanted less friction points towards the path of being a starter. Two things can be true, Cal needs a serious injection of talent at the QB position and JKS needs playing time for maximum exposure (leverage). I just hope he sticks around long enough where both parties benefit and maybe he even stays and builds a legacy at Cal. Anyways, welcome to Cal JKS, we are happy to have you, Go Bears Forever!
He came for a “chance” at immediate playing time and less friction for the job. I really don’t think we’re done with QBs in the portal. He was already coming here with Nando pegged for QB1 for presumably the next two years. A clearer path has a lot to do with his decision, but by all accounts he also values the overall vibes here and staff here as much.
Another thing can be true: he’s not good enough in his freshman year to start at a higher level program, but thinks he has a chance at starting at Cal right away, stepping in front of a returning quarterback who has multiple decent starts under his belt (when Harris’s Cal+Ohio games are considered). However the lanky Sagapolutele still needs a lot of work IMHO. Lacks twitch, and is still a bit slow to make reads, which at the P4 level could be a big problem if Cal’s revamped OL does not take a big step forward.
Great news! Hopefully this springboards us to more recruiting success from the portal. We certainly have a top notch offensive staff...finally.
I'm just going to say it, with the portal FBS is officially crazy. From diluted-talent bowl games, to flip-flop-flips by teenagers, to talent following coaching moves, to players maximizing their NFL potential, the completely open portal is really tarnishing the NCAA, its member universities, and their respective fan bases. I only hope the NCAA reviews the portal rules and tightens them up to emphasize athletes as STUDENTS. Otherwise, the end of every season will signal 100% free agency and a naked farm system for the NFL. This is not what college football is supposed to be all about... apologies for the rant - GO BEARS!
Yeah they are no longer students. They are employees with lots of freedom to move. It’s time to privatize these college sports so colleges can go back to their mission of educating and research, together with amateur college student athletes who aren’t paid.
Except for scholarships to athletes who are academically eligible to enter said university.
How is this all boiling down with graduation rates? Clearly the old metrics are no longer relevant...unless transfer were not counted.
Yeaaaaaah, baby! Fire up the Calgorithm!
Major props to the recruiting staff and the team that brought this home. Can’t wait to watch him play in CMS
Good things happen when you wait. And wait. And wait. lol.
Welcome to Bear Territory, JKS!!!
Boom!
Let's get more OL to protect this guy!
I'm pretty sure all the coaches out recruiting are doing that as a number one priority.
Awesome for the Bears. A great start for the 2025 preseason.
It's been more positive news than bad news lately.
Wilcox is still our HC, but the vibe going into 2025 is a good one for sure. For now at least.
The new OCs seem to have some good vibes.
Lfg - currently on a beach drinking a Mai tai in north shore 🤙
Great news Bears! Welcome Jaron!
Such an awesome, amusing, and often uncomfortable turn of events. Hope it works out for everyone. He clearly wants a pro career and wants to maximize his time on the field to advance it quickly. Have to be a little nervous he'll be trigger happy to transfer, but if he's got clear motivations then you've got a clear target.
Starting Cal's most highly regarded freshman QB since Zach Kline (let that sober your expectations) is also a great way for Wilcox to keep his job with his signature 5-7 wins.
Zack Kline was supposed to be that guy. Went to Spring game the year Goff early enrolled and got a bunch of player autographs. We sought out Kline above all others, got Goffs as an afterthought. Who knew.
Zach Kline…yikes!
Excuse me, but who is Zach Kline? I’m a longtime fan and don’t recall that name.
He was a big five star QB recruit from San Ramon who basically got beat out by Goff, never really played for Cal except that weird Oregon game when we were down a million in the rain
Hopefully not. Great coaches > great QBs.