# Cal football program under Tosh Lupoi

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/cal-football-program-under-tosh-lupoi
> Updated: 2026-08-05T00:48:32.000Z. Sources: 4. Developments: 3.

At ACC Media Day in July, first‑year Cal head coach Tosh Lupoi said the Bears had made progress but were “pleased but absolutely not satisfied,” citing recent transfers and a recruiting class ranked in the nation’s top‑25. He highlighted the team’s hunger, the season‑opening game against UCLA, and the schedule ahead.

By early August, Lupoi announced a strategic shift toward high‑school recruiting and away from relying on the transfer portal. The 2027 class moved into the top‑20 rankings, with signings such as junior‑college standout Alius Mayo and quarterback Jaron‑Keawe Sagapolutele committing to a second season. While transfers were used in 2026 to fill immediate needs, Lupoi said they would no longer be a regular practice, aiming to build a stable, multi‑year talent pipeline.

In early August, the program held its first fall camp for the 2026 season. Lupoi reshaped the staff and added more than 30 players via the transfer portal, while continuing to assemble a high‑school recruiting class for the future. The 12‑game schedule opens at home against UCLA on Sept. 5. Returning sophomore quarterback Jaron‑Keawe Sagapolutele was highlighted as a key leader, with Lupoi praising his character and on‑field growth. The revamped roster also features new transfers at wide receiver, running back and tight end, as the Bears seek to improve on a decade that produced only one winning season.

## Timeline

### 2026-08-05: California Golden Bears launch first fall camp under new coach Tosh Lupoi

Cal football starts its first fall camp under new coach Tosh Lupoi, featuring a transfer‑heavy roster and returning QB Jaron‑Keawe Sagapolutele, ahead of a season‑opening game vs UCLA.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/california-golden-bears-launch-first-fall-camp-under-new-coach-tosh-lupoi

### 2026-08-05: Cal football shifts focus to high‑school recruiting, de‑emphasizes transfers

Cal football coach Tosh Lupoi announces a move toward high‑school recruiting, citing the 2027 class’s top‑20 ranking and signings like Alius Mayo and Jaron‑Keawe Sagapolutele, while limiting future transfer‑pod

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/cal-football-shifts-focus-to-highschool-recruiting-deemphasizes-transfers

### 2026-07-17: Cal football coach Tosh Lupoi outlines progress at ACC Media Day

Cal coach Tosh Lupoi, at ACC Media Day, said he’s “pleased but absolutely not satisfied” with the Bears, citing transfer successes, a top‑25 recruiting class and the upcoming UCLA opener.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/cal-football-coach-tosh-lupoi-outlines-progress-at-acc-media-day

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Cite as: Cal football program under Tosh Lupoi. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/cal-football-program-under-tosh-lupoi