Cal’s Next Great QB? Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele on His Roots & Future

Cal quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele joins the David Glenn Show to discuss his breakout freshman season, why he stayed at Cal through a coaching change and his outlook for 2026 under new head coach Tosh Lupoi.The Honolulu-area native threw for 3,454 yards and 18 touchdowns as a true freshman in 2025. JKS discusses the story behind his full name and nickname, growing up in Hawaii playing multiple sports and how receiving his first college offer helped convince him to focus on football.He also talks about the Elite 11, what drew him to Cal and the transition from Justin Wilcox to Tosh Lupoi. Sagapolutele shares how Lupoi immediately flew to Hawaii after being hired as Cal worked to keep its young quarterback in Berkeley.JKS discusses studying Cal greats Jared Goff and Aaron Rodgers, his mindset for protecting the football, his family’s support and how he views the transfer portal and Cal’s culture in the new era of college football.CHAPTERS00:00 Meet JKS00:29 Name Pronunciation Fun01:45 Hawaii Roots and Sports02:20 Football Heroes and Belief03:21 Elite 11 and Recruiting04:09 Why Cal Felt Like Home04:58 Sponsor Break05:38 Coach Change and Hawaii Visit07:08 Learning from Cal Legends08:11 Protecting the Football09:16 Family Legacy and Scheme10:10 Distance and Game Day Support11:00 Portal Era Team Building11:34 Can Cal Shock the World?12:05 Farewell and NCSN OutroWELCOME TO THE NORTH CAROLINA SPORTS NETWORKNorth Carolina sports. North Carolina stories. The BOLD NORTH STATE.The North Carolina Sports Network (NCSN) is an independent statewide sports media platform covering the people, teams, traditions, and stories that make North Carolina one of America’s great sports states.From the NFL, NBA, NHL, MLS, PGA TOUR, and NASCAR to the ACC, college athletics, and high school sports, NCSN delivers original shows, interviews, podcasts, short-form content, live programming, and on-location experiences.Our mission: Tell the stories of the BOLD NORTH STATE and connect fans, communities and brands through sports.🎥 NCSN ORIGINAL PROGRAMMING🎙️ THE DAVID GLENN SHOWFeaturing two-time North Carolina Sportscaster of the Year David Glenn with decades of experience and unmatched perspective on ACC and college sports.📚 THIS WAS THENTim Peeler and Todd McGee tell the stories behind North Carolina’s proud sporting past.🏈🏀 THE COACHES ROOMA weekly look inside the decisions, challenges, and pressures coaches face on and off the field, with Football, Basketball, and seasonal editions.⭐ BOLD NORTH STATEHost Mike Waddell showcases North Carolina sports, people, places, events, food, culture, and lifestyle.⛳ ROAD TO AUGUSTA with WARD CLAYTONNCSN’s January-April golf series was hosted by Durham native Ward Clayton, former Sports Editor of the Augusta Chronicle and noted Masters author and historian.🏟️ BOLD NORTH STATE TAILGATENorth Carolina’s only traveling sports circus, taking NCSN on the road to major games, rivalries, championships, races, tournaments and festivals.WATCH. LISTEN. FOLLOW.🌐 NCSportsNetwork.com🎧 Spotify, Apple Podcasts & more📲 @TheNCSportsNet on all platforms▶️ Subscribe on YouTube and turn on notifications.🤝 PROUD PARTNERS OF NCSNSTIFEL | THE FOUNDERS GROUPhttps://www.thefoundersgroup-stifel.com/EXCEL MOVING & STORAGEhttps://www.excelms.com/JIMMY’S WRIGHTSVILLE BEACHInstagram: @jimmyswrightsvillebeachJIMMY’S INLANDInstagram: @jimmysyinlandKING NEPTUNEhttps://www.neptuneswb.com/THE ORIGINAL SALTWORKSInstagram: @theoriginalsaltworksAMEDEO’S ITALIAN RESTAURANThttps://amedeosrestaurant.com/SAMMY’S TAP & GRILLhttps://sammystapgrill.com/PEPSIhttps://www.pepsi.com/MUSCLE MILKhttps://www.musclemilk.com/THE NORTH CAROLINA SPORTS NETWORKThe Voice of the BOLD NORTH STATE.#CalFootball #JaronKeaweSagapolutele #JKS #ToshLupoi #ACCFootball #CollegeFootball #DavidGlennShow #BoldNorthState