The offense quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele. He burst onto the scene as a true freshman and is a future star. He threw for 3,454 yards, adding 18 touchdowns and nine interceptions. Priority number one for new head coach Tosh Lupoi was keeping JKS on campus, and he succeeded.
The running back room will be transfer heavy. The additions of Adam Mohammed (Washington), Ashten Emory (UTEP), and Carter Vargas (UC Davis) are massive. Mohammed had a big game last season against Tosh Lupoi’s defense at Oregon, rushing for 105 yards.
The wide receiver room will also be transfer heavy. The additions of Cooper Perry (Oregon), Ian Strong (Rutgers), and Chase Hendricks (Ohio) are massive. Tight end Mason Mini returns and is joined by transfers Rico Walker (Purdue) and Dorian Thomas (New Mexico). Both Hendricks and Thomas were all conference player’s last season.
The offensive line returns experience in Sioape Vatikani, Tyson Ruffins, Bastian Swinney, Lamar Robinson, and Frederick Williams III. The additions of Kahlee Tafai (Minnesota), Mykeal Rabess (FIU), Jacob Arop (South Dakota), Jimothy Lewis Jr. (Mississippi State), and Ashton Rivera (Kent State) are massive for this unit.
The defensive line room returns experience in Nate Burrell, Derek Wilkins, and Stanley Saole-McKenzie. The additions of Jericho Johnson (Oregon), Emmanuel Okoye (Tennessee), Ashun Shepphard (Mississippi State), Jayden Williams (North Texas), and Solomon Williams (Texas A&M) are massive for this unit.
The linebacker unit is very transfer heavy. The additions of AJ Tuitele (USC), Kamar Mothudi (Oregon), Justin Beadles (Louisville), Joshua Pierce (North Texas), and Tristan Jernigan (Texas A&M) are massive. Aaron Hampton and Jayden Wayne are back and have some experience.
The secondary returns experience in Cam Sidney, Aiden Manutai, Jasiah Wagoner, and Isaiah Crosby. The additions of Rickey Fletcher (Ole Miss), Marquis Groves-Killebrew (Arizona), Kingston Lopa (Oregon), Michael Hurst Jr. (Northern Arizona), and Daniel Harris (Georgia) are absolutely massive.
Kicker Chase Meyer returns after having a very solid season. Tulsa transfer Angus Davies will handle the punting role. Ohio transfer Chase Hendricks could also be a weapon as a punt returner.
The future looks bright for Cal football under Tosh Lupoi and general manager Ron Rivera’s leadership. Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele will have a big year and is a future star. Work must be done in the trenches and there are a lot of new faces, but Cal could be a real surprise in the ACC this season.
