BERKELEY — Tosh Lupoi and the Bears are proud of the progress they’ve made during spring ball while not losing sight of the long journey ahead.
Cal’s head coach, along with quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele, offensive coordinator Jordan Somerville and defensive coordinator Michael Hutchings, shared their collectively optimistic assessments of the team after the Bears scrimmaged on Saturday morning at Memorial Stadium.
“Just a daily process,” Lupoi said. “We're trying to attack every aspect (and) improve every day. Never pleased, but excited about the way the guys were really attacking with hunger. We’re challenging ‘em a lot — situational ball … implementing our installs and keeping fundamentals and technique at the forefront of our minds.
“So, it’s been impressive to see their hunger and their approach, and we just got to keep climbing here …”
Lupoi said he has to watch the film from Saturday’s scrimmage before making any assessments.
He did, though, shout out a pair of true freshmen in safety Niles Davis and middle linebacker J.D. McKinley as newcomers who have “flashed” throughout the spring, as well as the entire running back room for its solid job “attacking” practices despite the room’s “extreme lack of depth.”
Lupoi also acknowledged his “excellent” coaching staff for how they’ve not only collaborated but gelled as a unit. He said the staff is aligned and connected in its operations, which then is “contagious” to the players.
“It’s an awesome environment if you love ball,” Lupoi said.
Somerville, meanwhile, admired the entire offense’s ability to “digest” information throughout the spring and demonstrate mental and physical effort.
“It's a lot, and it could be taxing,” Somerville said. “It's a mental strain, but these guys have done a great job digesting it and applying it the next day. And just the energy and the effort these guys show day in and day out – a lot is asked of them, and they're stepping up to the challenge right now.”
Somerville, who called plays from the field during Saturday’s scrimmage, appreciates how the offensive line is coming along and how Sagapolutele receives coaching, too.
And Hutchings shared excitement for the mix of youth and experience on the revamped defense and how the coaching staff is maximizing each individual’s talent.
“We got a lot of talented guys,” Hutchings said. “How can we take them to a place that they can't go on their own, as coaches, and kind of reel these guys in and create a team atmosphere and a team climate with the talent?
“In this climate of football, everybody has to be ready and be on stand-by, ready to go in.”
Hutchings also highlighted the diverse personalities and play styles among the linebackers, as well as the internal competition in the secondary.
But Sagapolutele, though? He is not only Cal’s leader but also the team’s hype man; everything and everyone is perfect in his book.
“This spring’s been great,” Sagapolutele said. “We’ve had our challenges, and the defense (has been) really excellent to go against, allowing me to be in a new offense that can level me up in a lot of different ways — especially having great guys around, it’s so fun.
“Our running backs are amazing. O-line has been amazing. Receivers are outstanding still. Just like Coach Tosh said, all the guys that we retained and got from the transfer portal … we just have outstanding talent. I’m really excited for where we’re going right now.”
Sagapolutele added that he’s “progressed a lot” since his freshman season but still has “much to do,” such as continuing to get comfortable in Somerville’s offense, being a leader and building connections with new and pre-existing teammates.
With roughly five months remaining before the home season-opener against UCLA, Cal is figuring out its strengths and weaknesses.
But for now, there is a sense of urgency throughout the program, with top-to-bottom alignment realizing the time is now for the Golden Bears to win — win the moment, the day, games and titles.
In fact, the Bears’ recent recruiting victories are indicative of that very sentiment.
“Well, we’re on fire,” Lupoi said of Cal’s recruiting. “So, we’re going to try to continue that.”
That would be wise.
Nonetheless, the Bears’ spring game is next Saturday and is open to the public, with events starting at 11 a.m. and a “Blue vs. Gold” scrimmage scheduled for 1 p.m.
Then, you — yes, you — can see new-look Cal for yourself; or you can take Sagapolutele’s word for it.
“As you can see, a lot has changed around here,” Sagapolutele said. We have a great culture. Coach Tosh is doing great things here. And as we keep preparing and getting ready for the season, I think we should have a lot to be excited about, for sure.”
