California QB commit Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele dazzles in season-opening victory

The No. 1 player in Hawaii lived up to his billing on Saturday night, kicking off his senior season with a bang.

Ewa Beach (Hi.) James Campbell High quarterback Jaron Keawe-Sagapolutele witnessed his stock increase this summer thanks to an invitation to compete in the Elite 11 Finals. The left-hander continued his upward trajectory this weekend, leading his team to a 67-35 season-opening win over Damien (Hi.).

Sagapolutele completed 18 of his 22 pass attempts, racking up 387 yards and an eye-popping six touchdowns through the air. The California commit put up the best numbers of any QB in the state during the first weekend of the 2024 season.

2024 #Elite11 QB and Cal commit Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele (@JaronKeawe) completed 18-of-22 passes for 387 yards and 6️⃣ TDs Saturday in @SaberFootballHI’s season-opening 67-35 win over Damien. pic.twitter.com/Tmm9gHLIbg

— Brian Stumpf (@Stumpf_Brian) August 11, 2024

Sagapolutele is the No. 443 overall prospect and No. 31 QB in the 2025 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. The top-ranked player in the Aloha State pledged to the Golden Bears on July 8.

Sagapolutele continues to raise his stock

He threw for over 3,700 yards and 37 touchdowns as a junior, leading Campbell to a nine-win season. Aspirations are higher this fall, as the Sabers were the preseason No. 4 team in the state of Hawaii, according to the On3 Massey Ratings, a model that combines statistics and ratings such as offensive and defensive power, as well home field advantage and strength of schedule.

Campbell is scheduled to play each of the three in-state schools ranked above it in the On3 Massey Ratings, beginning with a massive contest in two weeks at Punahou. Road trips to Mililani and top-25 national program Kahuku are on the docket in October.

Sagapolutele proved this weekend that he’s poised for a big season and will look to continue to soar up the rankings as a senior. He was named a top performer following day one of the Elite 11 Finals by On3’s Charles Power.

“The Hawaii native flashed one of the stronger arms on hand, easily generating velocity on downfield and far hash throws. Sagapolutele was one of the co-winners of the Rail Shot challenge at the end of the workout along with Husan Longstreet, showing the ability to repeatedly drive the ball into a small windows downfield,” Power wrote.

“It meant the world,” Sagapolutele said of the invite to the event. “Being able to have a chance to compete at such a high level is such a great opportunity! But just any chance to put myself and my families name on the map is a great opportunity!”