Gil Ladetzky

One of the most underrated teams heading into the 2026 season is Cal 🐻 The Golden Bears have been largely off-the-radar for most of the offseason and are disrespectfully rated 62nd by the ESPN FPI heading into this fall. However, I believe they’ve assembled a very solid roster and may surprise a lot of people. This will be year 1 under new head coach Tosh Lupoi, who left his role as Oregon’s defensive coordinator after three consecutive seasons with a Top 15 defense. Offense: • Return QB Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele (3,454 passing yards last year as a true freshman) • 4-star transfer WR Ian Strong (1,438 yards, 10 TDs in last 2 years for Rutgers) • 4-star transfer WR Chase Hendricks (1,037 yards, 7 TDs last year for Ohio) • 4-star transfer RB Adam Mohammed (661 total yards and 5 TDs last year for Washington, including 123 yards vs. #5 Oregon) • 4-star transfer TE Dorian Thomas (New Mexico) • Return TE Mason Mini who had 445 yards and 5 TDs last year • 4-star transfer WR Cooper Perry (Oregon) • Return several players with starting experience on the offensive line • 4-star OL recruit Daniel McMorris (No. 1 player in the state of Oklahoma) Defense: • Returned 3 talented starting defensive backs Cam Sidney, Aiden Manutai, Isaiah Crosby. • 4-star transfer DB Daniel Harris (started 12 games during his time at Georgia, including the 2024 SEC Championship and 2024 CFP Sugar Bowl) • 4-star transfer DB Kingston Lopa (followed Tosh Lupoi over from Oregon) • 4-star transfer DL Jericho Johnson (followed Tosh Lupoi over from Oregon) • Return DL Nate Burrell who started in 2022, 2023, and 2024 before missing all of last season due to injury. • Return experienced DL Stanley Saole-McKenzie and DL Derek Wilkins. • Return LB Aaron Hampton who played in all 13 games last year. He had 15 tackles vs. #15 UVA. • Added former 4-star recruit and Texas A&M transfer Solomon Williams at LB, who played in 12 games for the Aggies last year. New head coach, Heisman contender at QB, tons of new offensive weapons, 11th-most returning offensive production in the FBS, talented defenders with a defensive-minded HC. A lot of people may find themselves learning about “Bear Territory” this fall. 👀