Golden Nuggets: 2010's Top Defensive Recruits Ready to Battle During Spring

With the beginning of spring practices on Tuesday, several positions on defense will be wide open.  Some of the top talents from last year's recruiting class hope to climb the depth chart over the next month.

The linebackers have a wealth of young talent in Forbes, Whiteside, and Wilkerson.

The outside spots will be interesting to watch this spring. If Kendricks is on the weak side, can the Bears find a rush linebacker in the mold of Zack Follett this spring? Defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast likely will take a look at several candidates. Whiteside is an intriguing case. He was highly recruited out of Newport Beach but grayshirted last season to become academically eligible. Now ready to go, his biggest obstacle may just be his unfamiliarity with the program and schemes. There are a lot of players around him who have been in the program for awhile. He will have some catching up to do.

Who else will play in the middle? Forbes certainly is a consideration. Considered  a top-10 prospect nationally at his position coming out of high school, Forbes redshirted last season but is ready to go this spring. And how about local product Dave Wilkerson, another top-10 recruit who may have been in the rotation last season but an early concussion led to him redshirting as well. Wilkerson is believed to be more suited for inside linebacker although he was taking reps at OLB early last year. That was more out of necessity as the Bears were suffering from a lack of depth there.

Several players will compete for defensive line spots this spring, but they will have tremendous competition when Brennan Scarlett, Todd Barr, and Tiny Moala arrive on campus this fall.

Trevor Guyton came on near the end of last year and should enter the spring as a leading candidate for a starting role. And Deandre Coleman flashed his immense potential at times and Cal should be looking for him to make a big jump this year. Redshirt freshman Gabe King has the combination of size and athleticism comparable to Jordan and could make a push as well.

After the jump rugby wins another world cup, baseball posts consecutive shutouts against the Cougs, and men's swimming brings home a national championship!

Swimming and Diving

• The top-ranked Bears brought home their third national championship and first since 1980.  Coach David Durden, Nathan Adrian, and others react to the win.
• Natalie Coughlin and others talk about the women's team bringing home the national championship.

Football

• JO takes a look at the position battles at O-line this spring.
• Poor field conditions at Witter are forcing the Bears to practice at Clark Kerr and at Laney College in Oakland.