Offensive lineman Poutasi Poutasi realized a lifelong dream by signing with California on Wednesday morning but faced a family tragedy immediately thereafter.
Poutasi announced on Twitter that Vaelua Poutasi, his mother, died in the afternoon after a fight with diabetes.
Earlier in the day, Poutasi tweeted a photo visiting his mother in a hospital room, where he reportedly went immediately after signing and faxing his National Letter of Intent to the Golden Bears.
Poutasi is a 6-foot-4, 305-pounder from Las Vegas Desert Pines. Cal coach Justin Wilcox glowed about his road-grading, early-impact potential at a National Signing Day press conference Wednesday before addressing news of Poutasi's mother.