No, Cal hasn't had much of a football program in recent memory, but Cade Uluave was no small addition to Kelly Poppinga's defensive side at BYU when he transferred from Berkeley to Provo for his senior season.
Uluave recorded 100 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, and 3 sacks for the Golden Bears in a season that earned him All-ACC honors. A member of the LDS church and the perfect bruising quarterback-bully replacement for the departed Jack Kelly (who was selected by the Giants in the NFL Draft), Uluave's fit at BYU couldn't have been more natural.
After a recent conversation with BYU Sports Nation, it's clear that Cade felt the same way.
"It came down to a lot," Uluave began. "Coming out of the portal, being at Cal, I could have easily stayed and finished my senior year there, but I have a feeling. Had a lot of prayer, a lot of thought, and there was no better opportunity to come back and play for BYU at home for my last year.
"Throughout the whole process, it came down to three things for me. I want to get developed, and I think you see that clearly with the linebackers you have here. Jack Kelly just got drafted. So that's already proven. Another one is I want to have a good experience. And man, we're out here, and this is what it's all about, just giving back to the fans, having fun. And the last thing is, I want to win. And shoot, you look at the past years at BYU, and the brand here is incredible, right?
"This opportunity for me to cmoe back to BYU is just special. I'm super excited."
. @cadeuluave is ready to win🔥 pic.twitter.com/ejprE2Scit
— BYUtv Sports Nation (@BYUSportsNation) May 16, 2026
Uluave will have a tall task ahead of himself. Filling in for Jack Kelly, and slotting alongside veteran Isaiah Glasker, he returns to his home state with the opportunity to play in front of family and loved ones for the first time since suiting up for Mountain Ridge High School.
He was a four-star rated transfer after three years at Cal, and will be a key player in what has developed a reputation as one of the best defensive units in the Big 12.
BYU football is building a team with the sole purpose of usurping Texas Tech's apparent stranglehold on the Big 12 Conference. Complementing the growing talent of Bear Bachmeier and the returning excellence of reigning Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year LJ Martin at tailback, Uluave's arrival sures up a defensive unit with lots to prove in 2026.
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