BYU Football Lands No. 1 LB Transfer Cade Uluave
Jan 12, 2026, 11:22 PM | Updated: Jan 13, 2026, 10:45 am
PROVO, Utah – BYU football has signed California transfer linebacker Cade Uluave.
Uluave, a former Mountain Ridge High standout in the class of 2023, is going to conclude his collegiate career at BYU.
Welcome to the Family, @cadeuluave 🤙 pic.twitter.com/EmhwhDMTYa
— BYU FOOTBALL (@BYUfootball) January 13, 2026
Uluave is ranked by 247Sports as the No. 1 linebacker in the transfer portal for the 2026 cycle. He’s the 60th overall-ranked prospect in the portal.
The 6-foot-1, 235-pound linebacker received interest from Michigan, Texas, among others, while in the Transfer Portal.
During his three seasons in Berkeley, Uluave totaled 235 tackles, nine pass deflections, six sacks, three interceptions, and two forced fumbles.
Uluave has one year of eligibility remaining in his collegiate career.
Cade Uluave was a First Team All-ACC linebacker and captain last season at Cal
In 2025, Uluave earned First Team All-ACC honors for his play with the Golden Bears. Uluave recorded 97 total tackles and three sacks last season.
Along with his stats on the field, Uluave held the designation as Cal’s team captain in 2025.
“Cade is everything you’re looking for in a captain,” former California head coach Justin Wilcox said in a written statement last August when Uluave was announced as captain. “He’s a tireless worker and a competitor to the bone. Cade shows great leadership qualities and is a tremendous example for other guys on the team.”
Coming out of Mountain Ridge High School, he was only a three-star prospect after suffering an injury during his senior year. However, when he reached the college ranks, he took off as a blue-chip talent.
During his true freshman season, he earned Pac-12 Freshman Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2023.
The signing of Uluave gives BYU another standout linebacker to join Isaiah Glasker and Siale Esera. BYU also returns EDGE rusher/SAM LB Nusi Taumoepeau, who was a highly productive player as a true freshman.
Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for sports.ksl.com and hosts the Cougar Tracks Podcast daily on KSL Sports YouTube and KSL NewsRadio (SUBSCRIBE). Harper also co-hosts Cougar Sports Saturday (12–3 p.m.) on KSL NewsRadio.
Follow Mitch’s coverage of BYU athletics in the Big 12 Conference on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram: @Mitch_Harper.
