He says his new teammate is the real deal.
The top linebacker in the 2026 transfer portal has faced BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier in player-run practices this summer. While that's far from playing real football games, it is enough for former California Golden Bear Cade Uluave to form an opinion.
Uluave played in 34 games for the Bears over three seasons, 26 of those as a starter. He is fresh off earning All-ACC honors in 2025, a season in which he was known for his skill and acumen spying quarterbacks as a defender, with six sacks and three interceptions.
"I mean, I never played against Bear, obviously last year, but from what I've heard he's a completely different guy, a different player, way more mature, and way more comfortable back there."
Just last year, Uluave faced SMU's Kevin Jennings, Louisville's Miller Moss, Virginia's Chandler Morris, and Duke's $4 million quarterback, Darian Mensah, who is now at Miami.
He knows QBs.
In fact, he likes to make meals out of them. It's his specialty.
"I mean, I never played against Bear, obviously last year, but from what I've heard he's a completely different guy, a different player, way more mature, and way more comfortable back there," said Uluave Thursday after BYU's annual football media day at Timpanogos Golf Club in Provo.
"He just looks like a quarterback that can just sling," said Uluave, who has lined up across from Bachmeier during player-run practices, including seven-on-seven sessions.
"You can see it. You can tell. Like, we'll run some seven-on-seven and whatnot, and you can see Bear back there, like you can, as a linebacker reading his eyes, see him go through his progression. And there are times when he'll look off defenders and zip a ball halfway across the field and you are like, 'Geez,' there's not much you can do about that, you know.
"He's a baller, and he's a great guy. He's getting there and he's legit."
Uluave anxiously awaits the opening of BYU's football camp next week because he believes the Cougars' defense has the chance to make some noise this season. He's settled in after leaving Berkeley. He's bonded with teammates and he's far closer to his family in Herriman.
In the absence of NFL-bound Jack Kelly, Uluave is a key addition to defensive coordinator Kelly Poppinga's designs to put his touch on that side of the ball now that Jay Hill accepted a coordinator's job at Michigan with Kyle Whittingham.
He's extremely quick.
He's smart, and his instincts are honed and proven.
Can he pick up where he left off a year ago as one of the top defenders in the ACC?
"Yeah, I mean, I would hope," he said.
"That's really the goal, and that's what I've kind of committed myself to doing — being the same guy, hopefully even better.
"I'm just super excited for the season. We have a lot of good coaches and players that could help me along the way.
"But as far as my gameplay, I hope to stay the same, you know, improve some things here and there. That's kind of why I came to BYU: to help me improve as a player and as a person. So, thus far, I feel really comfortable and really confident, so just excited to go out on the field on Saturdays and go play."
Uluave expects Poppinga will move him around a lot, drop him in coverage, put him in blitz packages, assign him to spy the quarterback and plug gaps in the run game. He anticipates his pursuit and tackle skills will be utilized.
"I think especially here at BYU and the scheme that we run defensively that the linebackers are super versatile.
"There'll be times where, you know, we'll line a linebacker up on the edge. You know, he'll be behind the ball, obviously, and he'll rush a faster blitz, you know, drop to the flat, drop to deep, like, so they're super versatile, which I love because I feel like being a versatile player just kind of helps you, you know, with everything. And so, like, we'll spy the quarterback, which I love.
"I think I've been kind of naturally gifted at spying the quarterback, and that was kind of toward the end of the year at Cal this past year. ... That was like our bread and butter was just me being able to spy the quarterback and get after him. That's where I feel the most comfortable, and I love it, just being able to get going and just get after the quarterback. I love it."
After a spring and summer with his teammates and coaches, Uluave likes what he sees.
"Man, I think the potential for the defense is huge. Like, I think just the players that we have across the board, we have some super talented players that can play ball, and they're some dudes. You know, everyone's got to be able to play and perform, and me included.
"... We're going to, I hope, get off the field as much as we can, and force turnovers, force punts, and limit touchdowns. We're just super excited."
And that's where Bachmeier and the offense come in for the defense, said the linebacker.
If Bachmeier, LJ Martin and company can keep moving the chains, keep the ball and extend possessions, the defense will get plenty of rest and be ready to do what's needed.
At least that's the plan, according to Uluave.
Sounds sound.
UCLA running back Carson Steele, right, stiff arms California linebacker Cade Uluave during game, Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023, in Pasadena, Calif. | Ryan Sun, Associated Press
