Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele Announces He Will Stay at Cal
On Day 1 of the job, Tosh Lupoi flew out to Hawaii and secured the return of Cal's elite freshman quarterback.
There will be no transfer portal drama this year. Cal quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele has announced he is returning to Berkeley.
Pete Thamel of ESPN had the first report, but Sagapolutele made it all but official after quote-tweeting Thamel’s report with the firmest of commitments.
Here is a more official statement (via Cal Athletics):
California quarterback and freshman All-American candidate Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele announced Saturday that he will stay at Cal and will be with the Golden Bears moving forward.
“After spending time with my family, a lot of prayer and many discussions, I have come to realize that Cal is the best place for me,” said Sagapolutele.
“I am grateful to be surrounded by so many supportive people who can help me achieve the goals that I have on and off the football field. I am excited to finish this season with a group of guys who have put in so much work and effort and I look forward to the 2026 season.”
“I believe in Cal and what this football program is capable of. I am confident that if you want to change your life, on and off the field you should #ComeToCal.”
Tosh Lupoi flew directly from Berkeley and his opening + press conference to Hawaii, as Sagapolutele was back home to watch his high school team Campbell win its first-ever Open Division state championship.
Lupoi, who spoke heavily about the importance of talent acquisition at his, and attacking his job with the intensity it deserved, was quick to lock in on Target 0 on Day 1 of the job. Sagapolutele had arguably the best freshman campaign in Cal football history, throwing for 3,117 yards, 17 touchdowns, and a 63.6% completion rate. His campaign was highlighted in the final months by upset wins over Louisville (30-47, two touchdowns), and SMU (31-40, four touchdowns), knocking both out of the ACC title/playoff race.
Welcome to a new era of the California Golden Bears.
Fantastic. Now let's build him an offensive line.
I'm impressed so far. This man gave a great opening press conference flying from Oregon to Cal. Then immediately flew to Hawaii to speak w JKS and his family. Not just a zoom or phone call, and I'd guess JKS watched his conference then hours later coach tosh shows up to his house- that is showing up, literally, and making enough impact to seal the deal. He seems like a tireless and persistent worker so far, and seems to truly care about the direction of his alma mater which is a perspective only an alum could hold. Go bears 🐻!