USA TODAY writer views Cal's quarterback as a Heisman dark horse

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Could the UCLA Bruins be facing a Heisman Trophy candidate in Week 1 against the Cal Golden Bears? Even though Cal has never had a Heisman winner, could quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele change that in 2026?

Cal might claim former Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza who won last year’s Heisman, but Sagapolutele has a chance to actually win the award in a Bears’ uniform. Currently, BetMGM has Sagapolutele outside of the Top-10 in Heisman odds but USA TODAY writer Marcus D. Smith sees potential in the lefty signal caller.

“Sagapolutele enters the 2026 season as a sophomore who's already put his name in the record books of California Golden Bears football. He started all 13 games as a true freshman, the first to do so since (Jared) Goff in 2013,” Smith wrote. “Cal brought in weapons to surround him, including New Mexico transfer Dorian Thomas, a tight end, and wide receivers Cooper Perry from Oregon, Adam Mohammed from Washington, Ian Strong from Rutgers and Chase Hendricks from Ohio.”

With the added weaponry, there’s belief in Berkeley that Cal can compete in the ACC. Last year, Sagapolutele and the Golden Bears went 4-4 in the ACC, including ranked wins over Louisville and SMU.

As a freshman, Sagapolutele completed 64.2% of his passes and put up 3,454 passing yards with 22 total touchdowns to nine interceptions. 

Sagapolutele stuck with Cal during the team’s head coaching change, with the team bringing in Tosh Lupoi from Oregon. Along with Lupoi, the Bears hired former Tampa Bay Buccaneers assistant quarterbacks coach Jordan Somerville to be the team’s new offensive coordinator.

This article originally appeared on UCLA Wire: USA TODAY writer views Cal's quarterback as a Heisman dark horse

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