Bear Insider Video: Cal LB Lebron Williams & Safety Aiden Manutai

KAHUKU, HAWAII - It was a homecoming of sorts for two of Cal’s four 2025 Polynesian Bowl participants and we had the chance to catch up with both Kahuku High School linebacker Lebron Williams‍ and safety Aiden Manutai‍ after the second day of practice in preparation for Friday evening’s bowl game.

The 3 star 6-2/250 LB is the only one of the four new Bears on his squad but he’s enjoyed the first couiple days of practice so far.

"We were just fixing up everything from yesterday," Williams noted. "Everything was installed, so some people had some problems, but we were able to clean it up and we had a good practice."

Even though they’re on separate squads and on opposite sides of the ball, Williams hasn’t had the chance to compete against future teammate Jaron Keawe Sagapolutele‍ on the field this week.

"No, we've never scrimmaged against them, yet but hopefully I can make some plays against Jaron,” Williams said.

"I'm just working on being able to play my game. Our coaches are giving us a chance to play ourselves and learn a new system. It's been nice. We'll mix up everything in the next few practices and we'll be ready by Friday.

Manutai has been soaking things in and the fact that he was back home on the North Shore one more time for the practice was clearly special for the 6-0/190 3 star safety.

"I'm just grateful to be back home over here, just practicing on the field one last time," Manutai said after practice. "I'm super grateful to be playing. I have three of my teammates on one team, so that's gonna be fun, just getting a little taste of what it's gonna be like there and see them."

Both Manutai and fellow DB Jae’on Young will be playing in the same backfield at Cal and also had the opportunity to share the field at the same time several times today in practice.

"Yeah, I played corner a little bit and then I was on the  side nickel side while he was in at corner," Manutai said. 

Overall, the experience has been a good one so far

"It's a packed schedule. We're just on a roll everywhere we go, everybody's having a good time and just enjoying it here."