BERKELEY — Tiki and Setema Sagapolutele will make the trip from Ewa Beach, Hawaii, to the Bay Area again this week to visit their son at college.
The weekend includes a Saturday night outing at Memorial Stadium where Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele will quarterback the Cal football team against UCLA in the Golden Bears’ season opener.
That’s really just a bonus for mom and dad.
“It’s so amazing. We don’t live there so we don’t get to experience a lot of the things he does, which helps us to just focus on him,” Tiki said in a phone interview. “When we go there, we really don’t know the pressure he’s dealing with. He doesn’t talk about it.
University California Berkeley quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele speaks during a press conference at Memorial Stadium on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026, in Berkeley, Calif. (Aric Crabb/Bay Area News Group)
“So all we do is visit, go and watch the game and spend time with him. When we get together, just us three, we go have lunch somewhere.”
Tiki Sagapolutele and his wife do what they can to keep life as normal possible for their son, but most of their work in that area is already done.
The left-hander from the island of Oahu won the starting job in fall camp as a true freshman last year and passed for at least 200 yards in every game. In all, he passed for 3,454 yards and 18 touchdowns with just nine interceptions. Because he meshes a big arm, accuracy and an ability to throw with anticipation, the 20-year-old is considered a near sure-thing for the 2028 NFL draft.
“I’ve never played with anyone like JKS,” said Bears junior tight end Dorian Thomas, a transfer from New Mexico.
No one on the coaching staff works more closely with Sagapolutele than Nick Rolovich, the Bears’ associate head coach who also leads the quarterback room. He’s impressed by more than Sagapolutele’s physical tools.
California Golden Bears interim head coach Nick Rolovich hugs quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele (3) before the start of their game at Memorial Stadium in Berkeley, Calif., on Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
Asked how JKS keeps his head above the waves of attention coming his way, Rolovich responded, “I kind of felt like he had a lot of attention last year. Is there more this year? Oh, look at the eyebrows up.
“The thing that keeps Jaron in a good place is his faith and his humility. His upbringing in Hawaii really does him well when these things come.”
Sagapolutele says he doesn’t feel any different this season. “I’m the same as always.” He gives credit to his parents for providing him a foundation built on a faith in God that steadies his confidence in big moments.
“It’s definitely helped me in just how well I process things and go through things,” he said. “Just the way my parents raised me, to always be humble, put others before myself, always lend a hand when others are in need.
“Knowing I can do all things through Him just strengthens me. That’s really where I find my confidence.”
Sagapolutele certainly has the confidence of Tosh Lupoi, who made a midnight flight to Hawaii on the day he was introduced as Cal’s new head coach last December to make sure he didn’t lose his quarterback to the lure of the transfer portal.
“Thankful that he’s here. An incredible part of our future,” Lupoi said. “As good a player as he is, from a character standpoint, his commitment . . . he’s a driving force in our culture.”
ESPN sideline reporter Lauren Sisler speaks to California Golden Bears quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele (3) after their game at Memorial Stadium in Berkeley, Calif., on Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025. The California Golden Bears defeated the Southern Methodist Mustangs 38-35. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
Sagapolutele was attending his former high school’s state championship game when he got a call from his father saying Lupoi was on his way.
“I hadn’t met him until that day. That was crazy. I couldn’t believe that he was flying here,” Tiki Sagapolutele said. “It was an awesome experience to meet Tosh and listen to his plans for Jaron. It was amazing. Great guy.
“I think he’s going to propel Cal to be a better team each and every year. Jaron loves him.”
Sagapolutele also embraces life on campus, where fellow students often now recognize him. “I don’t mind at all,” he said.
That’s just who he is, his father says. “He hasn’t changed at all.”
His circumstances certainly have. In the current landscape of NIL payments and revenue sharing, Sagapolutele earns an estimated $3 million, according to multiple media reports. His father said the family has hired a team to help oversee the financial component, but that Jaron also enjoys treating teammates to dinner.
“He’s been really great on his own,” Tiki Sagapolutele said. “I don’t know if I’d be able to handle all that pressure, being 20.”
Sagapolutele seems not to be affected by the expectations. He suggested “the sky’s the limit” for the Cal offense and is excited to get back on the field Saturday night with his teammates in front of what Cal officials are projecting could be a capacity crowd.
New offensive coordinator Jordan Somerville is eager to see how it unfolds.
“The guy is playing fast, he’s playing free, playing with love for his brothers next to him, and his energy’s contagious right now,” Somerville said recently. “We’re in the dog days of training camp and this guy is still bringing a smile on his face, understanding that when you’re the quarterback guys are going to feed off that.
“It’s been super-cool to see him grow, taking on the challenge. That he’s able to lead the charge is really cool to see.”