Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele isn’t just making noise-he’s rewriting the script on what’s possible for a freshman quarterback at the Power 4 level. And after leading Cal to a thrilling 38-35 upset over No.
21 SMU, he’s got the hardware to prove it. For the second time in three weeks, Sagapolutele has been named the Davey O’Brien National Quarterback of the Week, a rare feat that puts him in elite company-and in the record books.
Let’s start with the basics: the freshman lit up SMU’s defense, going 31-of-40 for 330 yards and four touchdowns, all without throwing a single interception. Those 330 yards and four scores?
Both new career highs. But it wasn’t just about the numbers-it was the poise, the decision-making, the command of the offense in a high-pressure game against a ranked opponent.
Cal needed a big-time performance to pull off the upset, and Sagapolutele delivered like a seasoned veteran.
That performance earned him more than just national recognition. On Monday, he was named both the ACC Rookie of the Week and ACC Quarterback of the Week, and also picked up a Manning Award Star of the Week nod. It’s a haul that reflects just how impactful he's been-not just for a freshman, but for any quarterback in the country.
And here’s where things get historic. Sagapolutele is now the first freshman ever to win the Davey O’Brien National Quarterback of the Week honor multiple times.
The only other player to win it twice this season? Georgia’s Gunnar Stockton.
That’s the kind of company Sagapolutele is keeping right now.
But the accolades aren’t just about one big game. This is the culmination of a remarkably consistent start to his college career.
Sagapolutele has thrown for 200 or more yards in each of his first 12 games, making him the only Power 4 quarterback-and just the second FBS player ever-to do that to start a career. The only other player to hit that mark?
Houston’s David Piland, who had a 14-game streak across the 2010 and 2012 seasons.
Through 12 games, Sagapolutele has completed 288 of 453 passes for 3,117 yards and 17 touchdowns. He leads the ACC in completions, ranks fifth nationally in that category, and sits third in the ACC and 15th nationally in passing yards.
And here’s another eye-opener: his 3,117 yards already rank sixth on Cal’s all-time single-season list. As a freshman.
It’s not just that Sagapolutele is putting up numbers-it’s the way he’s doing it. Efficiently.
Confidently. Under pressure.
He’s not just surviving as a true freshman quarterback in a Power 4 conference; he’s thriving. And if this is the baseline, the ceiling is hard to even imagine.
Cal may have pulled off the upset against SMU, but the real story might be unfolding under center. Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele isn’t just a name to watch-he’s a name we’re going to be hearing for a long time.