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Greg Biggins of ESPN reports ($) that a few minutes ago at Vista High School in Vista, California, US Army All-American Stefan McClure picked the California Golden Bears over the UCLA Bruins, Oregon St. Beavers and Boise St. Broncos. He had offers from eight other Pac-10 schools and other notables like Michigan and Miami (FL). His good relationship with new Cal secondary coach Ashley Ambrose (who recruited him while he was at Colorado) went a long way to securing his verbal.
Weighing in at 5'11" and 170 pounds, McClure becomes our best cornerback prospect, joining Joel Willis and safeties Jordan Morgan, Darren Ervin (who will likely convert from running back) and Avery Walls in this class. His instincts and highlight tape appear as a curious hybrid of the solid fundamentals of Syd'Quan Thompson and the playmaking ability of a Dante Daymeion Hughes. He makes great open field tackles and covers a lot of ground fast, but he can also make interceptions and force fumbles. Because of the depth troubles at cornerback, McClure probably won't instantly vie for playing time due to his slight frame, but he might be pressed into action a little earlier than usual.
Current recruiting rankings from the major services point out the following about the new Golden Bear.
Rivals: 4 stars, 118th in Rivals 250, 9th best cornerback, 11th best prospect in California
ESPN: 78 grade, 24th best cornerback
Scout: 4 stars, 4th best cornerback
Welcome to Cal Stefan! GO BEARS!
Stefan McClure Qualcomm Slam 2010 (via greeltube)
After the jump, video and interviews of McClure playing both ways in college.
Here are his highlight reels.
Stefan McClure 2010, 4game reel part1 (via greeltube)
Stefan McClure 2010, 4game reel part2 (via greeltube)
Stefan McClure Highlights (via 247SportsStudio)
Stephan McClure '11 Vista Senior vs. Poway, CIF-San Diego Quarterfinals (via SportsOnTheSide)
Stefan McClure vs RBV 2010 (via greeltube)
2010 Pigskin Gala/Stefan McClure interview (via 619Sports)
US Army All-American Bowl Stefan McClure (via jlev2010)