Four-star QB Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele commits to Cal after brief Oregon stint

Four-star quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele returned to Cal on Sunday after a short commitment to Oregon. The standout from James Campbell High School in Ewa Beach, Hawaii, initially flipped his commitment to Dan Lanning's Ducks on National Signing Day, Dec. 4. However, he has since signed with the Golden Bears via the NCAA Transfer Portal.

Coach Lanning had high praise for Sagapolutele after securing his commitment.

"What I did know was where Jaron's heart was this whole time," Lanning told 247Sports. "I think the process started a little bit later here for us, his heart was wanting to be here at Oregon, and I'm really excited about him and what he'll bring to the table for us."

Sagapolutele seemed to be a potential playmaker for Oregon next season. He joined the Ducks for practices ahead of their Rose Bowl appearance on Wednesday and even stood on the sideline during the Ducks’ 41-21 loss to Ohio State.

However, concerns about immediate playing opportunities influenced his decision to transfer.

“I just felt that I wasn’t a main priority (at Oregon),” Sagapolutele told Daily Cal. “Of course there’s going to be competition anywhere I go. But I’m just looking at other QB rooms and the best place for me to go get on the field early.”

Lanning has projected starters for next season, as Dante Moore and Austin Novosad are already in place, and 2025 class quarterback signee Akili Smith Jr. is also waiting in the wings. So, Sagapolutele’s path to significant playing time appeared limited, which triggered him to go back to Justin Wilcox's school.

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Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele opens up about his commitment to Cal

With his second-time commitment, Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele becomes the highest-rated prospect of Cal's 2025 recruiting class, which ranks No. 57 in the nation with 14 committed players, per On3.

The Golden Bears face a critical need at quarterback following the offseason transfer of Fernando Mendoza to Indiana and the graduation of Chandler Rogers. With Sagapolutele’s arrival, Cal looks to revitalize a thin quarterback room that includes CJ Harris and EJ Caminong. Sagapolutele will be eligible to play immediately next fall, and he is set to compete for the starting role as a freshman.

"I'm excited to be a priority over there and to get to work," Sagapolutele said (via ESPN). "I'm ready to see what God has in store for me at Cal."

Sagapolutele threw for 3,404 yards, 46 touchdowns and three interceptions in his senior year at Campbell High. He also raved about Cal quarterbacks coach Sterlin Gilbert, saying:

"Coach Gilbert is going to develop me and it's a place where I'm going to be able to go in and compete early on."

Sagapolutele envisions following in the footsteps of former Cal star Jared Goff, who started as a freshman and later became the No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft.