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Golden Recruiting Wire: Roll On You Bears

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Verbal commits are marked w/ (Cal)

No more Friday Night Lights since most recruits have finished their season.

December 15, 2010 | 8 | 1

 

Tedford & Company

  • Brendon Bigelow, RB (Cal) Central East (Fresno, CA) verbally committed to Cal [1].
  • Matt Williams, OT (Cal) North Dakota State College of Science (Wahpeton, ND) verbally committed to Cal [2].
  • Todd Barr, DT (Cal) Lakewood (Lakewood, CA) verbally committed to Cal [3]. Barr was named CIF Southern Section Moore League's co-MVP [4].
  • Jason Gibson, OLB (Cal) Serra (Gardena, CA) verbally committed to Cal [5].

    "I liked Oregon a lot too, that was a cool visit but Cal was just the best fit for me. I like the academics, I like the defense and I think the 3-4 scheme fits me really well. Some schools liked me as a defensive end because I can rush the passer but size wise, I think linebacker is the best position for me and at Cal, I'll get the best of both worlds. I'll be able to play linebacker and still rush the passer [$6]."

  • Avery Walls, S (Cal) Eagles Landing Christian Academy (McDonough, GA) verbally committed to Cal [7].
  • Maurice Harris, WR (Cal) and his Northern Guilford Nighthawks (Greensboro, NC) claimed their State Championship by defeating Shelby 21-20 [8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15]. Harris had 3 catches for 61 yds and 2 TDs. He was named MVP of the Game [16][17].

    When it comes to what Northern players call "Mossing" a defender, no one does it better than Harris.

    "When (Scarfone, Nighthawks' QB) throws the ball in the air, I like to get it at the highest point and take it off their heads. That's what I do best," Harris said. "It gets the team pumped up, and when we get on a roll, that's when we play our best."

    "Mossing" refers to the NFL's Randy Moss, who has made a number of spectacular catches over defenders during his career [18].

  • Brennan Scarlett, DE/TE Central Catholic (Portland, OR) nominated for the US Army All-American Bowl's Glenn Davis Award [19]. The Glenn Davis Award is given to the best player who epitomizes US Army's high standards in community service, education, and athletics.

    Allan Bridgford of Cal was the Glenn Davis Award recipient in 2009.
  • Colt Lyerla, ATH Hillsboro (Hillsboro, OR) has top 3 of Oregon, USC, Cal in that order [20]. Dirk Knudsen of Rivals reported Lyerla's top 3 are in no particular order.

    Lyerla has a habit of making the improbable seem routine. He plays running back, wide receiver and linebacker. He runs a 4.55 40 and bench presses 320 pounds. He powered the Spartans (6-5 in 2008) to a 13-1 record and a state championship in 2009, earning Oregon 5A Offensive Player of the Year honors. His potential -- on both sides of the football -- is unmistakable.

    It's also complicated the recruiting process. Though he's received more than 30 different offers (Oregon, USC, Cal, Oklahoma, Miami and UCLA are his top six) he hasn't specified which position he wants to play next year. Most analysts peg him as a linebacker because of his 6-foot-5, 225-pound frame.

    "I have to see how I'll fit in their system," he says. "It's just gonna depend on how far back I'd be on the depth chart [21]."

    Lyerla was named SI Player of the Week on 12/7 [22]

  • Kameron Jackson, CB Poly (Long Beach, CA) selected as CIF Southern Section Moore League's Defensive Player of the Year [23].
  • Mustafa Jalil, DT (Cal) and his Cathedral Catholic Dons (San Diego, CA) won its fourth consecutive CIF San Diego Section Division III Championship over Lincoln 24-7 [24][25].
  • Frank Clark, ATH Glenville (Akron, OH) offered by Michigan [26].
  • Daniel Lasco, RB (Cal) The Woodlands (The Woodlands, TX) named Texas All-District 14-5A Offensive MVP [27].
  • Devon Blackmon, ATH and his Summit Skyhawks (Fontana, CA) lost to Elsinore and finished 2nd in the CIF Eastern Division [28][29][30][31].

    Blackmon put recruiting on hold for the championship game prep. Florida, Alabama, Oregon, USC, UCLA and Cal are presumably still Blackmon's top 6 [32].
  • Brandon Wright, RB/DB Palo Verdes (Las Vegas, NV) visited SDSU [33].
  • Lavonte Barnett, DE and his Paraclete Spirits (Lancaster, CA) did not get selected to CIF Division II Bowl even though they finished as Southern Section East Valley Champions [34].
  • Marqise Lee, ATH, Serra (Gardena, CA) has top 5 of Cal, USC, Oregon, Miami, Florida [35].
  • Cyrus Hobbi, OG Saguaro (Scottsdale, AZ) visited Arizona State [36]. Hobbi has visited Oregon State and Nebraska and plans to go to USC and UCLA.
  • Jalen Jefferson, ATH (Cal) St Bonaventure (Ventura, CA) named Linebacker of the Year in the CIF Southern Section Marmonte League [37]. Jefferson was also selected to All-Ventura County First-Team [38].
  • Stefan McClure, CB Vista (Vista, CA) selected to All-CIF San Diego Section First Team Defense [39]. McClure was also named Defensive Player of the Year in the CIF San Diego Section [40].

    McClure, a premier college recruit, was among Vista's top offensive threats as a wide receiver (58 catches for 1,317 yards and 11 touchdowns), but was perhaps better on defense, so much so that teams routinely adjusted their game plans to avoid his side of the field.

    A 5-foot-11, 178-pound senior, McClure played cornerback and safety, but no matter where he was on the field, his sheer presence made the Panthers' defense better. McClure's individual numbers -- 32 tackles, 12 assists, four interceptions (one for a touchdown), nine pass breakups and one forced fumble -- pale somewhat in comparison to those that really mattered. Vista allowed an average of just 14.3 points per game and gave up more than 21 just twice.

    The Vista Panthers also captured CIF San Diego Section Division I Championship over Mira Mesa 33-21 [41].
  • Viliami Moala, DT Grant Union (Sacramento, CA) could be a Cal-USC battle? [42].
  • Jason Gibson, OLB (Cal), Marqise Lee, ATH and their Serra Cavaliers defeated Arroyo Grande 35-10 for the CIF Western Division Championship [43][44]. Serra will meet Folsom in the CIF Division III State Bowl [45].
  • Byron Marshall, RB Valley Christian (San Jose, CA) {2012} profiled [46]

    Marshall is one of the most impressive physical specimens on the West Coast. At 5'10 he packs on 190 pounds of muscle and while his height is a little on the shorter side he is big enough and physical enough to play smash mouth football. Byron is an aggressive runner who barrels over any blocker in his path. However despite his bulky frame, Marshall is one of the fastest players in any position at California, with a 4.38 40 yard dash. His combination of size and speed helps him keep defenses off balance as he can run it between the tackles or bounce it outside and turn the corner.

    One standout strength of Marshall's is his incredibly quick first step. He doesn't need much time at all to get into gear and if there is even the slightest hole open he's going to make it through. His initial burst is incredible and he blows by defensive lineman as there just getting out of their stance. His aggressive first move makes him an easy guy to block for and makes it very rare for him to lose yards on a play. 

  • Thomas Johnson, ATH Skyline (Dallas, TX) {2012} Junior highlights [47]

  • Cyrus KouandjioGarrett Adcock, OG Dallas Christian (Dallas, TX) {2012} selected to Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools (TAPPS)' Division II First-Team Offense [48].
  • Zach Kline, QB (Cal) San Ramon Valley (Danville, CA) {2012} profiled [49].

    Kline is extremely fundamentally sound. He is very fluid into his three step and five step drops and shows great pocket presence and awareness. He doesn't get 'happy feet' in the pocket and does a good job stepping up when the pocket collapses. He does a nice job of stepping into his throws and transferring his weight and momentum, allowing him to get great zip yet also nice touch. He works methodically through his reads and spreads the ball around.

    However Zach is a very good athlete and is able to step out of the pocket and make plays with his legs just enough to keep the defense off balance. Kline is also very good at making plays out of the pocket and even on the run delivers the ball with great accuracy and power. Kline's accuracy is probably his greatest strength, and he first gained Cal's attention at an Elite 11 passing camp when he won an accuracy contest.

  • Miles ShulerTee Shepard, CB Central East (Fresno, CA) {2012} nominated for All-Central Valley Team [50]. Vote for Shepard [51].
  • Terry Richardson, CB Cass Tech (Detroit, MI) {2012} Junior highlights [52]. Richardson has been invited to play in the 2012 Under Armour All-American Bowl [53][54].

  • Bryce Treggs, WR St. John Bosco (Bellflower, CA) {2012} selected to CIF Southern Section Trinity League All first-team offense [55].
  • George Farmer, WR Serra (Gardena, CA) verbally committed to USC [56]. Cal eliminated.

 

Monty & Crew

  • Shabazz Muhammad, SG 6-5/190 Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas, NV) scored 24 points to open the season as the Gaels defeated Durango Trailblazers 85-52 [57][58]. Muhammad is feeling UNC, Kentucky, Duke, Louisville, Memphis, UCLA but is not in a hurry to make a decision [59]. Roy Williams came to watch Muhammad scoring 28 pt and grabbing 8 rebounds against Desert Oasis [60].
  • Brandon Ashley, PF 6-8/225 Bishop O'Dowd (Oakland, CA) will likely sit out two more weeks to let his injured knee fully recover [61].
  • Ricardo Gathers, PF 6-6/235 Riverside Academy (Reserve, LA) and Shabazz Muhammad, SG are going to Ft Myers to participate in the State Farm City of Palms Classic Tournament [62][63][64].

 

Previous Golden Recruiting Wires 

November 23 | 17 | 10 | 3 October 27 | 20 | 12 | 6
September 29 | 22 | 15 | 9 | 2 August 24 | 19 | 12 | 5 July 28 | 22 | 15 | 8