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How Cal football firing its coach could send a top QB into transfer portal
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- How Cal football firing its coach could send a top QB into transfer portal
It's been two decades since California was nationally relevant in college football – yet plenty of eyes this offseason will be on the Golden Bears, as the 2026 season could hinge on what unfolds in Berkeley..
Cal fired coach Justin Wilcox , who in his ninth season, following an embarrassing loss to Stanford in the "Big Game." The finale summarized his tenure - full of potential but never taking that next step thanks to inconsistency in questionable losses.
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It made sense to fire Wilcox, and while it searches for its next coach, Cal has an even bigger task at hand: keeping its talented freshman quarterback.
There were already going to be schools check in on Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele. But by showing Wilcox the door, it's been left wide open for teams to entice the young signal caller to enter the transfer portal, as he could be the key for one lucky suitor to make the College Football Playoff .
Might as well learn how to pronounce his name – Kay-ah-vay San-gah-polo-tell-ay – by the way.
California quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele (3) warms up before the game against the Virginia at California Memorial Stadium.
Cal benefited from one of the biggest recruiting flips before last year's signing day. After committing to the Golden Bears, the four-star quarterback from Ewa Beach, Hawaii, signed with Oregon and follow its long line of Polynesian players. But in January, Sagapolutele entered the transfer portal and flipped back to the Golden Bears.
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Sagapolutele won the starting job at Cal after an offseason competition with Ohio State transfer Devin Brown and instantly showed promise.
In his first career start, he threw for 234 yards and three touchdowns in a defeat of Oregon State. Despite growing pains, he impressed throughout the season, capped off by a career-best 323 passing yards in an upset of Louisville.
Heading into the final week of the regular season, Sagapolutele leads all true freshmen quarterbacks with 2,787 passing yards.
It looked like this was going to be a one-year deal for Sagapolutele and the Golden Bears as he showcased himself to bigger schools. But Sagapolutele earlier this month quieted that speculation by making it apparent he is committed to California for more than just a year.
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"For sure I want to stay here, this is where I want to be at," he told Hawaii News Now . "I just want to stay here at Cal and also get my degree here, because it's probably the most prestigious degree you can get for public schools."
That should've been enough to calm Cal fans and discourage teams from pursuing him. Until Cal got in its own way.
Jaron Keawe-Sagapolutele could be another prized Cal transfer QB
With a fired coach, Sagapolutele potentially has the opportunity to enter the transfer portal earlier than than other in-demand quarterbacks this offseason. A new rule for this academic year means the portal is open from Jan. 2-16. However, a player can enter five days after a new coach at the school is announced. For Cal, it's paramount the Golden Bears get a coach that can convince him to stick around.
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There's some obvious options, like offensive coordinator Bryan Harsin and Oregon defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi, who played for Cal. Outside of that, it's unknown if the Golden Bears can bring in a big enough name or someone incredibly persuasive.
There will be plenty of suitors. Expect Oregon to check in to get Sagapolutele to return if Dante Moore leaves. Tennessee, LSU, Florida State, Miami and others might also enter the mix.
All schools that will be more than able to offer Sagapolutele loads of money. Cal will be forced to find the resources to keep him and convince him the future is brighter in Berkeley than other places.
"Knowing who he is and what he means to us, there's going to be a lot of thought in who's next and what that staff's going to look like as well. Part of it will be about his growth and development as a football player and as a student-athlete," said California general manager Ron Rivera. "This is still very, very important. Making sure he understands that we are looking in his best interest as well − not just the universities or the football programs − but also we've got him in mind."
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It would be déjà vu for Cal fans if Sagapolutele leaves. A beloved quarterback that showed dedication to the school before departing and reaching the next level at their new home.
Sound familiar?
There will undoubtedly be comparisons to Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, who is now one of the favorites for the Heisman Trophy. Like Sagapolutele, Mendoza was a star on a mostly middling Golden Bears team.
Mendoza has flourished in Bloomington. He went from relative unknown to an undeniable star, leading the Hoosiers back to the College Football Playoff. By April, he could be one of the first names called in the 2026 NFL Draft .
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That gives opposing coaches a great selling point for Sagapolutele to follow suit:
A major decision is coming for Sagapolutele, and his choice will have major ramifications for how the offseason and next season unfolds.
Several teams will hope Sagapolutele can be the next former Cal quarterback to lead them to glory. The #Calgorithm will hope he doesn't have to leave to do it.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Cal firing Justin Wilcox may push Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele to transfer portal
