C+
Sophomore QB + portal volume raises the ceiling; Lupoi Y1 + roster churn and a market under lean keep it mid-tier
Atlantic · 2026
California
2025 record 7–6 4–4 conference
Postseason Hawaiʻi Bowl L 31–35 vs Hawaiʻi
Head coach Tosh Lupoi Year 1; Wilcox fired / Rolovich interim 2025
Scheme Up-Tempo Spread / Multiple 2-4-5
A−
Portal #3; high-volume, high-average class with multiple instant starters
B−
Portal class fills the two-deep; cohesion is the risk
Market odds
Yes 0.00%
No 0.00%
Yes 0.00%
No 0.00%
Yes 0.00%
No 0.00%
Recruiting ranks
Overall #8 50 commits · 245.85 pts
Portal #3 32 commits· avg 87.2
Roster notes
Sagapolutele returns; Lupoi Y1 inherits a portal-loaded roster
QB Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele. WRs Ian Strong, Chase Hendricks, Cooper Perry; TE Dorian Thomas; RBs Adam Mohammed / Ashten Emory / Carter Vargas behind a remade OL
2-4-5: Nate Burrell / Jericho Johnson / Derek Wilkins; Jayden Wayne and Solomon Williams outside; Tristan Jernigan / Aaron Hampton inside; transfer secondary (Daniel Harris, Ricky Fletcher, Isaiah Crosby, Aiden Manutai, Jasiah Wagoner)
Key offense
- 01 Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele QB
- 2025 (incl. bowl) true freshman: 316/492, 3,454 yds, 18 TD, 9 INT
- 4 rush TD (ESPN, incl. bowl)
- 02 Ian Strong WR
- Rutgers → Cal
- 2025 (regular season): 52 receptions, 762 yds, 5 TD
- 03 Adam Mohammed RB
- Washington → Cal
- 2025 (incl. bowl): 106 carries, 523 yds, 5 rushing TD, 17 receptions, 138 yds, 420 KR yards (ESPN incl. bowl)
Key defense
- 01 Aiden Manutai SS
- 2025 (incl. bowl) Cal: 44 tackles, 2.0 TFL, 1 INT, 2 PBU, 1 FR (ESPN tackles/INT/FR)
- 02 Jayden Wayne OLB
- 2025 (incl. bowl) Cal: 25 tackles, 3.5 TFL, 2 sacks, 5 QBH (ESPN tackles/sacks)
- 03 Solomon Williams OLB
- Texas A&M → Cal
- 2025 (regular season): 4 tackles in 4 games — listed starter, production still thin
- (Prior 3.0 TFL / 12-game claim not confirmed on ESPN.)