Tag: signee

Ewa Beach (Hawaii) Campbell quarterback Jaron Keawe Sagapolutele, who signed with the Ducks and enrolled at Oregon in December, is expected to enter the transfer portal, sources told 247Sports. The 6-foot-3, 210-pounder flipped from Cal to Oregon on Signing Day Dec. 4.

He took his talents to the Ducks as the class of 2025’s No. 106 overall prospect, No. 8 quarterback and No. 1 player in Hawaii.

“It’s not very often that you get to this point and you don’t know which way it’s leaning or where it’s at,” Oregon coach Dan Lanning said of Sagapolutele Dec. 4. “What I did know was where Jaron’s heart was this whole time. I think the process started a little bit later here for us, his heart was wanting to be here at Oregon, and I’m really excited about him and what he’ll bring to the table for us.”

When Sagapolutele signed with Oregon, he was a key cog in the Ducks’ elite Big Ten recruiting class. Oregon also signed San Diego Lincoln Top247 quarterback Akili Smith Jr.

It looked like Cal would keep Sagapolutele after fending off a charge from Georgia, where he twice canceled visits, and Oregon. But the Ducks, his childhood favorite, ultimately landed him.

“I thought highly of (Sagapolutele) when I’d watch him when I’d go back home and throw,” said Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel, who is from Mililani (Hawaii) High. “But I think when I saw him at the Elite 11 around the top-level guys, the dude can sling it. He’s got pop behind his arm. Of course, I’m a little biased with him being a lefty. But also, it wouldn’t take anyone to see it. Just go watch this kid throw live. He’s got pop. He can sling it with the best of them.

“More importantly, I know what type of kid he is and being from Hawaii. I’m proud of him. I think there’s maybe a little pipeline starting, hopefully. But, no pressure coach Lanning.”

Since Sagapolutele already enrolled at Oregon in December after signing, Sagapolutele is expected to enter the portal instead of needing to request a release.

Players in bowls after Dec. 28 have five days following their final game to enter the portal, so Sagapolutele has until the weekend, but is expected to be in before.

As one of the 2025 cycle’s top passers, Sagapolutele is likely to have suitors for him once he’s in the portal.

“Sagapolutele has clearly established himself as one of the nation’s top quarterbacks this offseason,” 247Sports national scouting analyst Greg Biggins said in Sagapolutele’s July 7 evaluation. “He has really had a great spring and summer including a recent top-11 finish at the prestigious Elite 11 Finals. You can make an argument he has the strongest arm in the country but doesn’t just throw all fastballs and has really improved in his ability to change speeds and throw with touch.

“His deep-ball accuracy is among the best in the country as well and he can really layer the football into tight windows. His release is smooth and tight and he has improved in his ability to make quick decisions and get the ball out on time. … All the physical tools are there and Keawe Sagapolutele has a very high ceiling and NFL potential if he continues to develop at his current rate.”