Yeah, there are good reasons why he would want to come here, but there is also one very big reason why he wouldn't. Yes, I mean Justin. Is there a rule against portal entries talking to other portal entries, because we wouldn't want him to ask other Cal deserters about why they were leaving?
Let's get Marshawn Lynch on this assignment as they met on Gameday. We have an awesome backfield with Ott and Jet. A revamped OL a solid TE. Plus our 2025 schedule is manageable. Typical Bear optimist during our winter hibernation...
There aren't many other options if he wants to start as a freshman in a power conference. It wasn't this coaching staff, but we all remember Goff winning the job at the start. QB job is wide open and it's a blank slate for coaching on offense as well. Even if we bring in (another) transfer QB, I don't think they'll be of the "presumed starter" level.
We've proven our passion as a fanbase and have good WR and RB talent despite the departures. Nando taking hits because of our OL was a major issue and we immediately addressed it. I understand that we're also competitive in NIL as well, though only he would know the details of the offers.
For sure, he should explore his options but we're providing a great opportunity.
Concerned about him wanting to come here? No. I’d be concerned if he didn’t want to. EVERY player is a flight risk nowadays. Nando taught us that. That JKS by all accounts wants to be here despite having none of the same offensive staff that may have helped recruit him and a HC that is fighting for his job next year is actually probably more encouraging as far as his long-term outlook in Bear uni than otherwise. But again, it’s year-to-year with all these guys under the current portal system. More, I don’t think he’s coming here under pretenses that he’ll start next year. I think we are still looking at a more experienced guy or at least one more seasoned on bench to challenge for that QB1 position next year and maybe even longer. But there will be a tract for him that will be clearer than he would have at UO and UGA and less competition in the QB room both immediately and long-term.
I’m more concerned about having a kid come in who commits then transfers within a few weeks cause he didn’t want to compete. If he were to come here, it seems like we’d just be a stepping stone and we’d be in the same situation next season. Maybe I’m wrong though,
Bob, if you would've told me anytime during this season that Ott would return and Nando would leave (next year), I'd have thought you were crazy. Nothing is guaranteed in college football anymore, you just gotta get them here and hope they perform and want to stay.
The tenuous connection between academics and athletics has never been so strained. It's all about getting the payday now and to heck with academia. Nando fleeing Haas and going to that academic shangrila Indiana is a case in point. Sad state of affairs. The illusion of the student athlete has finally been obliterated.
I think in this college football era, one cannot expect any players to stay long term. Our program needs to elevate themselves so players will want to stay and not jump to a *better* place for them…Just my opinion tho…Go Bears! And I hope he lands at Cal!
He's gotta realize that with the coaching changes on offense, a really good new o-line coach who has now brought in a lot of o-line talent (and he's not done), and a great offensive staff, that he will have more opportunity here than anywhere. AND, if he signs here we will land a couple more solid portal o-linemen and WR's. Then we'll need a solid back up QB. I think with a good Spring and Fall camp, he could come out next season and be as successful as Fernando would have been. If the rumors are true about Nando not playing nice with him, then he was viewed as a legit threat. He has the talent, it's all going to come down to the work ethic.
Rumor that Nando somehow contacted him and scared him off with unhinged rants, then, once JKS goes to O, Nando executes his planned, surprise Portal jump. I think the days that Nando lingered in The Portal was cover. I suspect the deal had already been made before he jumped in. I think his parents are likely happy to have both sons at the same school.
If half this sabotage story is true, then Nando is not quite who we thought. I, for one, am hoping it's not true
All these "business decisions" are contrary to what's may be best for the teams, but, hey, I guess that doesn't matter.
And now it's happened!
https://www.on3.com/news/oregon-qb-transfer-jaron-keawe-sagapolutele-commits-to-cal/
I hereby order that, should he turn out amazing, we write a meme anthem for him as well.
As I said elsewhere, I think he comes for the memes….forever!
Yeah, there are good reasons why he would want to come here, but there is also one very big reason why he wouldn't. Yes, I mean Justin. Is there a rule against portal entries talking to other portal entries, because we wouldn't want him to ask other Cal deserters about why they were leaving?
He could also ask the Oregon, Georgia, USC, etc. There are literally thousands in the portal.
There's the Sagapolutele to UGa and then Rashada comes back to the Bay theory (in my head)!
Let's get Marshawn Lynch on this assignment as they met on Gameday. We have an awesome backfield with Ott and Jet. A revamped OL a solid TE. Plus our 2025 schedule is manageable. Typical Bear optimist during our winter hibernation...
Have him watch the tape of GameDay in Berkeley to let him know the potential here of fan support.
There aren't many other options if he wants to start as a freshman in a power conference. It wasn't this coaching staff, but we all remember Goff winning the job at the start. QB job is wide open and it's a blank slate for coaching on offense as well. Even if we bring in (another) transfer QB, I don't think they'll be of the "presumed starter" level.
We've proven our passion as a fanbase and have good WR and RB talent despite the departures. Nando taking hits because of our OL was a major issue and we immediately addressed it. I understand that we're also competitive in NIL as well, though only he would know the details of the offers.
For sure, he should explore his options but we're providing a great opportunity.
Reading the tea leaves it sounds like he might be headed to Berkeley.
Anyone else a little concerned by this? I mean I get the landscape of CFB has changed, but do we think he’d stay long term at Cal if he were to come?
Concerned about him wanting to come here? No. I’d be concerned if he didn’t want to. EVERY player is a flight risk nowadays. Nando taught us that. That JKS by all accounts wants to be here despite having none of the same offensive staff that may have helped recruit him and a HC that is fighting for his job next year is actually probably more encouraging as far as his long-term outlook in Bear uni than otherwise. But again, it’s year-to-year with all these guys under the current portal system. More, I don’t think he’s coming here under pretenses that he’ll start next year. I think we are still looking at a more experienced guy or at least one more seasoned on bench to challenge for that QB1 position next year and maybe even longer. But there will be a tract for him that will be clearer than he would have at UO and UGA and less competition in the QB room both immediately and long-term.
Yes....EVERY player is now a flight risk. Up until the first day of Spring practice or even later.
Well said
I’m more concerned about having a kid come in who commits then transfers within a few weeks cause he didn’t want to compete. If he were to come here, it seems like we’d just be a stepping stone and we’d be in the same situation next season. Maybe I’m wrong though,
Looking for the best opportunities doesn’t mean a player doesn’t want to compete.
I don’t think that’s what’s happening here.
Bob, if you would've told me anytime during this season that Ott would return and Nando would leave (next year), I'd have thought you were crazy. Nothing is guaranteed in college football anymore, you just gotta get them here and hope they perform and want to stay.
The tenuous connection between academics and athletics has never been so strained. It's all about getting the payday now and to heck with academia. Nando fleeing Haas and going to that academic shangrila Indiana is a case in point. Sad state of affairs. The illusion of the student athlete has finally been obliterated.
I think in this college football era, one cannot expect any players to stay long term. Our program needs to elevate themselves so players will want to stay and not jump to a *better* place for them…Just my opinion tho…Go Bears! And I hope he lands at Cal!
I think you nailed it….
He will be our next great QB…..it is written😎
...and so it shall be! :-)
He's gotta realize that with the coaching changes on offense, a really good new o-line coach who has now brought in a lot of o-line talent (and he's not done), and a great offensive staff, that he will have more opportunity here than anywhere. AND, if he signs here we will land a couple more solid portal o-linemen and WR's. Then we'll need a solid back up QB. I think with a good Spring and Fall camp, he could come out next season and be as successful as Fernando would have been. If the rumors are true about Nando not playing nice with him, then he was viewed as a legit threat. He has the talent, it's all going to come down to the work ethic.
Tell me the tea lol what happened with him and the traitor transfer
Rumor that Nando somehow contacted him and scared him off with unhinged rants, then, once JKS goes to O, Nando executes his planned, surprise Portal jump. I think the days that Nando lingered in The Portal was cover. I suspect the deal had already been made before he jumped in. I think his parents are likely happy to have both sons at the same school.
If half this sabotage story is true, then Nando is not quite who we thought. I, for one, am hoping it's not true
All these "business decisions" are contrary to what's may be best for the teams, but, hey, I guess that doesn't matter.
Cal is his only option if he want to start.
Go Bears! We want Jaron!