Bear Insider Video: Cal Quarterback Jaron Keawe Sagapolutele

The Bears are bringing a whole knew crop of QBs in to stock the QB room in 2025 after the departure of starter Fernando Mendoza and backups Chandler Rogers and CJ Harris while adding 5 star frosh QB Jaron Keawe Sagapolutele‍, senior Ohio State transfer Devin Brown‍ and soph JC QB Dominic Ingrassia‍ all in the last month to the Bears’ roster.

Sagapolutele was one of the earlier Cal 2025 commits after blowing up at the Elite 11 competition and visiting Cal.

As for what made the program the best fit for him, the new Cal QB noted:

"You know, it was just coach Wilcox and his goals that he has for this team and that I believed I could help him achieve the ACC championship. And just to be a part of this team is just a great blessing. And it was the players as well. They opened me with welcoming arms  when I came back. And it's just a great place." 

After the Bears made a switch at OC and QB coach following the season, there were no replacements in place on signing day and Sagapolutele decided to make the last minute switch to Oregon, where he enrolled and was on the sidelines for the Duck’s Rose Bowl game against Ohio State but after a few weeks in Eugene, the Bears were still on his mind.

"Yeah, for sure," Sagapolutele said. "I believed that Cal was always here and it's just a great fan base. Of course, always love the support from them. And just the fact that I was able to come back here and it was welcoming arms. It was just a great feeling." 

After his short stint at Oregon, Sagapolutele was able to play in the Polynesian Bowl in mid-January and showed well against strong competition. He also got to play with four future teammates in DB Jae’on Young, defensive lineman Lebron Williams‍ and safety Aiden Manutai‍ in the game and establish some early bonds.

"It was fun just getting to know more people and just getting to work with guys that are going to the next level,” the Cal QB said. “It was great to see where I was at. Just so thankful that Jesus blessed us with an injury free game. But although we didn't come out with the outcome we wanted, I had a great fun week and just enjoyed bonding with with the guys around me.

“That was definitely really cool. Jae'on and Aiden were on my team. Lebron was on the other side, but it's just all love."

Because of the Poly Bowl game, the Ewa Beach native was one of the later arrivals to Cal this spring but the transition so far has been smooth.

"It's been a great transition," Sagapolutele said. "It's been definitely easy, especially having a lot of support from the coaches and especially the players. They're great teammates. It's a great environment. And I'll just continue to work every single day in the weight room and on the field, as well."

So far the new QB has enjoyed working with new Cal offensive coordinator Bryan Harsin and offensive assistant Nick Rolovich in his first few weeks in Berkeley.

"I've been talking with them every single day, especially with the film and just getting to know the playbook," the new Cal QB noted. "Just getting to know them is really great. Coach Rollo is a great person. He's been very helpful. Coach Harsin, that playbook - it's extensive and it's just gonna get me ready for that next level so I'm just excited. 

Rolovich has been on Sagapolutele’s radar for a long time as a former star Hawaii QB and head coach before moving on to Washington State.

"Most definitely," Sagapolutele said. "He's a legend in Hawaii. He's one of the greats to ever play at Hawaii and even coach there. And just to be able to be coached by him and just to receive insight from what I need to work on and especially getting help with him from the playbook, especially since I'm new to his pro style offense, he really helped me."

As for his strengths as a player, Sagopolutele noted: "I'd say I'm a guy who's able to push the ball down the field, a guy's able to read the field wherever he's at, and just a guy who's willing to work. Just ready to continue to learn this playbook and just to continue to get stronger, faster, better. There's a lot I need to work on, but I'm just so grateful that I'm here"

With spring ball around the corner, the new Cal QB has a couple goals in mind.

"I'm looking most forward to getting this playbook down for sure and just really showing what I can do to the coaches and to continue to keep proving myself every single day,” Sagapolutele concluded.

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Bear Insider Video: Cal Quarterback Devin Brown