Cal football is officially in rebuild mode, and honestly, it’s looking more promising than it has in years. After Ron Rivera fired Justin Wilcox in December and brought in Tosh Lupoi to lead the Bears, the program has undergone a complete transformation. We’re talking new coaching staff, a revamped roster, and a genuine sense of momentum around Memorial Stadium.

At the center of all this? A 19-year-old left-handed quarterback named Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele who just led Cal to seven wins as a true freshman and threw 18 touchdowns. Lupoi was so committed to keeping him around that he literally flew to Hawaii after his introductory press conference to convince Sagapolutele to stay. The move worked, the QB committed to return, and Lupoi apparently celebrated by napping on a bench. No pressure, right?

Now, four months later, spring camp is underway, and the real work begins. Cal will run full contact drills, install the majority of its playbook, and test the limits of what this roster can do. The coaching staff is the largest in school history at 26 people, which signals how serious the program is about turning things around. For context, Cal hasn’t had an eight-win regular season since 2009, so this rebuild is necessary.

Lupoi’s vision is clear: blend Cal’s academic prestige with a legitimate NFL pipeline. Former players are visiting campus constantly, not just occasionally, but every single week. The message to recruits and current players is that doors open at Cal, and success is possible. To back this up, the program is backing Sagapolutele financially and culturally. He just launched his “JKS” brand with merchandise at the Cal Student Store, and Rivera is actively exploring NIL packages for the quarterback.

But here’s the thing, Lupoi isn’t trying to make this all about one player. Sagapolutele is the centerpiece, sure, but the infrastructure being built is bigger than him. Offensive coordinator Jordan Somerville, who used to work with Baker Mayfield in Tampa Bay, is installing an offense focused on “ill intent” and explosiveness. Meanwhile, defensive coordinator Michael Hutchings, a De La Salle product who grew up loving Cal football, wants to build a unit that forces turnovers.

The Bears gave up 30-plus points in seven of their final 10 games last season, so defense is absolutely crucial. Adding four more freshmen from Hawaii to the 2026 recruiting class shows Lupoi is thinking long-term. This program needed a complete reset, and it’s finally getting one. The expectations are rising, the culture is shifting, and for the first time in a long time, Cal football feels like it’s headed somewhere. That’s worth paying attention to.