Editor’s Note: Cal inside linebacker portal signee AJ Tuitele kicks off the first in a series of self-written Cal football player stories on why they chose Cal and what makes the program special for them.
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Hello Cal fans! My name is Albert (AJ) Tuitele, and I currently attend Cal Berkeley. I was born and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada, and I am the oldest of five children. Being the oldest has always meant setting an example and creating a path for my younger siblings to follow.
I come from a very athletic family on both sides. My dad played football as a quarterback and baseball as a pitcher. He also played basketball, mostly streetball at the local parks. He attended junior college but never finished his degree. My mom was just as athletic, playing basketball as a point guard, softball in center field and at first base, and volleyball as an outside hitter. She did not continue her education after high school.
Athletics have always been a huge part of our family. All of my siblings play multiple sports, and whenever we compete against each other, things get very intense. There is always plenty of arguing, trash talk, and accusations of cheating. That's just how competitive we are.
Growing up, sports were always going to be part of my life. By the time I was one year old, I had my own batting cage in the house. I was already throwing and catching footballs, and by age three, I knew how to bump and spike a volleyball. My parents waited until my younger brother turned five before signing both of us up for organized sports because they wanted us to grow up playing together, just like my dad and his older brother did.
I played youth football for nearly ten years before high school. During that time, I played quarterback, running back, offensive line, defensive line, and linebacker. My coaches trusted me to play wherever the team needed me. Out of all those positions, linebacker quickly became my favorite. There was something special about chasing down the ball carrier, making big hits, and getting sacks. From that point on, linebacker became my full-time position and remains my position today.
I never really thought much about college until my sophomore year of high school. I watched talented players receive scholarship offers and opportunities for a free education, and I realized that if I wanted to play at the next level, I had to put in the work and become one of those athletes.
My journey wasn't easy. After transferring schools, I faced eligibility issues and had to choose between sitting out my sophomore year or playing junior varsity. I chose to play JV. Then, during my junior year, I was forced to sit out because of false information regarding our address. That could have been the moment I gave up, but my family wouldn't let that happen. Instead, I stayed focused by working out, lifting weights, and running every day.
Finally, during my senior year, my brother and I were cleared to play. It was time to prove ourselves. I finally had the opportunity to showcase my talent and make my family proud. Through every obstacle, I never quit. My family's support, their prayers, and my faith kept me going. We ended up making it to the state championship and bringing the trophy home. Looking back, I am proud that I never allowed setbacks or negativity to discourage me. My family's faith gave me strength when I needed it most.
Throughout high school, I played multiple sports, including football, basketball, and volleyball. Football was always my favorite, but playing different sports taught me a lot about myself as an athlete. Sometimes you don't realize how talented you are until you challenge yourself in different ways and see the results of your hard work.
I miss high school sports, my teammates, and my friends, but I am incredibly grateful for the opportunities athletics have provided. After high school, I earned a full athletic scholarship to the University of Southern California (USC). I loved many things about USC. The program, coaches, and players were all outstanding. However, despite everything the school offered, something felt like it was missing.
College football is an entirely different world. My parents always told me that once you get to college, everyone starts over at the bottom and has to earn their place. I didn't fully understand what they meant until I arrived at USC. The workouts were more demanding, the competition was tougher, and every day required a different level of commitment.
Unfortunately, my journey at USC did not end the way I had hoped. I eventually entered the transfer portal and made the decision to transfer to Cal Berkeley.
I arrived at Cal in January 2026, and honestly, I found my happy place.
Choosing Cal has been one of the best decisions I've ever made. In just a few months, this program has taught me so much. The coaching staff genuinely cares about us as people, not just football players. They check in on us, hold us accountable, and make sure we're doing well on and off the field. If they notice something is wrong, they pull us aside and talk to us. If we make mistakes, they correct us because they care.
This program is built on family. We grow together, bond together, and always have each other's backs. My teammates are my brothers, and my coaches have become father figures away from home. What I was missing before, I found here at Cal. The sense of belonging, support, and family that I was searching for is something I experience every day.
My position coaches have been incredible. Coach Hutchings, Coach Greg, and Coach Sione constantly push me to be my best. Whether it's making sure I'm handling my academics, showing up on time, or improving on the field, they stay on top of me. Growing up, my parents always told me that when coaches stop correcting you, it means they've stopped caring. These coaches care deeply about our success. They see potential in us and challenge us to reach it. I trust them completely and know they want what's best for me.
And then there's Coach Tosh.
Honestly, Coach Tosh played a huge role in my decision to come to Cal. From the moment I met him during my visit, I could tell he was different. His energy, passion, and authenticity stood out immediately. Before I arrived, he had only seen a couple of my videos from USC, but he already saw things in me that reminded me of conversations I had with my dad. He talked about relentless effort, and that mindset means everything to me.
Coach Tosh is down-to-earth, honest, and genuinely cares about his players. He makes me feel comfortable while also pushing me to be better every day. What I appreciate most is that he understands what we're going through because he's been in our shoes before. That connection makes a difference.
I can't wait for the season to begin. I truly believe this team is going to surprise a lot of people. We have the talent, the coaching, and the culture to accomplish something special. Last season, people talked about our offense, but this year I believe they'll be talking about the entire team.
With great leadership, an outstanding coaching staff, and the support of everyone behind the scenes, we're working to bring Cal football back to where it belongs. We need all of our fans—old fans, new fans, students, alumni, and families—to come out and support us this season.
As for me, I can't wait to get on the field alongside my teammates and compete. Every day I carry with me the words my grandparents taught me:
"Muamua le Atua" — Put God first.
Those words remind me that everything I have accomplished is possible because of my faith, my family, and the God we serve.
