Cal QB Commit Nainoa Lopes Turning Heads

Saint Louis-Honolulu QB Nainoa Lopes‍ was not necessarily on the radar of many Cal fans or recruiting services for that matter before his official visit and commitment to Cal but after some stirling performances on the camp circuit, that’s beginning to change.

The 6-4/190 QB went from a 2 star recruit to a fairly high 3 star this summer, drawing accolades for his leadership skills and performance at several camps this summer, including the Under Armour Next Camp Series where he caught 247 analyst Greg Biggins’ eye.

“The Cal commit was the most aggressive quarterback, in terms of taking shots down the field, and no one threw a prettier ball. It didn't matter if he was throwing with or against the wind — Lopes consistently ripped tight spirals into some tight windows and was extremely accurate,” Biggins noted. “He threw with touch when he needed to and added some heat when he must. Lopes definitely looks primed for a nice bump moving forward.”

“The camps I attended this summer pushed me to be better because of the competition and the talent that surrounded me was some of the best I’ve seen yet,” Lopes said. “That saying, “iron sharpens iron” relates to what kind of an effect the camps had on me. There was some great talent out there.

“I also had time to train with my QB trainer, Coach Galu Tagovailoa at Raising Champions in Alabama this summer and he always pushes me to better.

Beyond Cal being the best of Lopes’ offers, the fit for him was obvious and the staff, program and university more than ticked off his list of priorities for his future program.

“The main thing I look forward to at Cal is being in that kind of football environment,” the future Bear noted. “It’s clear that football there is next level and serious. It’s all business. College football is what I always dreamed of being able to play, and to top it off, the fact that I’m gonna play for such a prestigious school like Cal is just icing on the cake.

“I plan to early enroll so I should be there Spring 2026 once my senior season is done.”

Now that his future at Cal is secured with his commitment, Lopes has turned his full attention back to his Crusaders squad and running back their successful 2024 season.

“Saint Louis football is looking to have a great season,” Lopes noted. “We are defending the Open Division State Title and to do that, we all have to be laser focused. If you know anything about Hawai’i football, you’re gonna have to put in more than 100%. Everyone wants that Koa Trophy. I’m very excited for season and since I came home from my camps and my OV to Cal, I am totally dialed in to my team.”