Ramadan Plays Important Role for Cal Linebacker Kamar Mothudi

The first day of spring football practice can be a challenge for new Cal players, but it was particularly challenging for inside linebacker Kamar Mothudi, a transfer from Oregon, because he had not eaten anything for several hours before practice and could not drink any water during practice.

“Our first practice, pads, hot, I was just extremely fatigued. Just a lot of fatigue,” he said of the March 18 Cal practice to open spring football. “Body fluids, no water. So it’s a lot of spraying in the face, the back of the neck, just trying to keep myself cool externally.”

Mothudi (pronounced moe-TOO-dee) was observing Ramadan, a Muslim holiday that went from February 17 through March 19 this year, when Muslims do not eat or drink water between sunrise and sundown as a reminder of their faith.

That makes it difficult for someone participating in a college football practice.

“It’s definitely hard playing football,” he said “I’m losing body weight, cramp easier because of the fluids, You’re not necessarily obligated if it’s hard. If you have a strenuous activity, you don’t have to fast.

“But I almost feel like it gives me strength. I look at other athletes. Like if Kyrie [Irving] is able to fast while dropping 30 in an NBA game, then I can definitely push myself to get through a football practice.”

(Irving scored 34 points with 12 assists in a game during Ramadan in 2022.)

Mothudi says the sacrifice is what makes the fasting significant.

“Depends on how you look at it,” Mothudi said. “Some people look at it, ‘Oh, I can’t eat, or I can’t drink,’ but you have to remember why we’re doing it. There’s a lot of blessing and you’re supposed to think about the other people who are less fortunate. Just remember why you’re doing it, so it’s a lot about perspective.”

Mothudi began observing Ramadan with fasting when he was about 5 years old, and now knows he must load up on fluids around 5:30 a.m. to take him through the day, which may include a full football practice.

The major sacrifice he makes during spring football makes it more significant.

“A hundred percent,” he said. “Just remembering my why and keep going.”

Mothudi was a four-star recruit who had offers from Texas and Michigan, among others, coming out of high school before opting to go to Oregon. But he played sparingly in his two seasons with the Ducks, and followed Tosh Lupoi to Cal when Lupoi left as Oregon’s defensive coordinator to become Cal’s head coach.

“I already had rapport with coach Lupoi, so that was really the main thing,” Mothudi said of his decision to come to Cal.

Now Mothudi is one of seven inside linebackers vying for playing time at the Bears’ critical inside linebacker position.

With first-team All-ACC linebacker Cade Uluave having transferred to BYU and ACC defensive freshman of the year Luke Ferrelli now at Mississippi, the position is wide open.

Aaron Hampton is the only returning Cal inside linebacker who received significant play time in 2025, and he started just one game when Uluave was hurt.

Mothudi has a chance to step into the rotation for 2026.

Cal football players Kamar Mothudi and Serigne Tounkara and director of football nutrition Kendall Pozulp discuss competing while fasting in the video below:

This Ramadan, we recognize @kamar_mothudi & @SerigneT97 who continuously compete at the highest level while fasting, fully supported with the nutrition they need to perform.#GoBears pic.twitter.com/pT1jD2yOMG
— Cal Football (@CalFootball) March 18, 2026