Sometimes, a freshman shows up on a college football team and changes the entire trajectory of the program.
That's what quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele is doing for the California Golden Bears.
Cal is off to a 3-0 start to the season, and the frosh QB is an immediate star.
Sagapolutele wasn't always destined to play for the Golden Bears. The lefty quarterback from Hawaii was an Oregon commit.
But in January, he flipped to Cal, with the hopes of starting right away.
He's not just starting. He's shining.
"The true freshman from Hawaii was a late riser in the recruiting rankings as a high school senior, and we're quickly learning why he became so coveted," ESPN's Max Olson writes. "Sagapolutele signed with Oregon but flipped back to Cal in early January, believing he'd have a chance to start right away for the Golden Bears. The 6-foot-3, 225-pound lefty has flashed big-time arm talent and exciting potential with 780 passing yards and seven total TDs while leading a 3-0 start. He's becoming must-see TV on a Cal squad that looks poised to exceed expectations."
You might have to stay up late to catch some of Cal's games, but Sagapolutele is worth it.
His size, as Olson mentioned, at 6-3 and 225 as a true freshman is remarkably impressive. He just looks built to make plays out there on the football field.
Add in the always fun lefty QB factor, and it's easy to see why Sagapolutele has so many national analysts bringing Cal up as a fast-rising team.
The Golden Bears play at San Diego State in their final non-conference game before getting into ACC play.
It won't be easy for Cal to do the cross-country travel routine as part of the Atlantic Coast Conference. But they've got a quarterback who is ready to lead them into any stadium, anywhere, and give them a chance to win.
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