In last week's Cal football recruiting post, we looked at the potential offensive linemen recruits for the 2012 class. This time, we look at the second big area of need, which is in the receiving game.
Here are the upperclassmen on deck in the receivers game that need to be replaced.
- Senior wideouts: Marvin Jones, Michael Calvin, Coleman Edmond
- Junior wideouts: No one, unless Keenan Allen decides to declare early.
That means we're probably looking at least two and possibly up to four wide receivers to take in. Who are the candidates?
Recruits with Cal offers
Bryce Treggs, St. John Bosco (Bellflower, CA), 5'11", 175 lb
Offers: ASU, Cal, Georgia Tech, Notre Dame, San Jose St., Furd, UCLA, Washington
(via BrycesFan1555)
Video: Junior highlights (see above) | Junior midseason highlights | Sophomore highlights | 7 on 7 summer highlights | Workout/Passing League highlights | Los Angeles Times feature
More news: Father Brian went to Cal, and is Bryce's receivers coach at Bellflower, 3.5 GPA | 4th best California recruit in 2012 class, according to Cali High Sports | Brandon Huffman of Scout considers him the best pure route-runner in this year's West class
Thomas Johnson, Skyline (Dallas, TX), 6'1", 180 lb; Current Texas verbal, so our chances with him aren't so good
Offers: 18 Divsion I scholarship offers, including Auburn, Cal, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, USC
(via 247SportsStudio)
Video: Junior highlights (see above) | Highlights as both quarterback and athlete in sophomore season
More News: Attended the same school as Cal cornerback Steve Williams; transferred to Skyline in 2010 ($); missed most of his junior season with high ankle sprain, although he did manage to put up seven catches for 143 yards in a Texas playoff game; considered 9th best football player in Class of 2012 in Dallas-Fort Worth area.
Stefon Diggs, Our Lady of Good Counsel (Olney, MD), 6'1", 185 lb
Offers: 14 schools, including Cal, Florida, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Miami (FL), Michigan, Pitt, Virginia Tech, West Virginia
(via rrosen24)
Video: Junior highlights (see above) | Dominated the Army All American Combine, intrigued at the thought of playing with high school teammate and Michigan 2011 commit Blake Countess | Nike Camp highlights | Diggs's performance against De Matha, school of Cal safety Michael Coley
More news: Would be interested in being a Charles Woodson-type and playing both ways ($), but hasn't decided yet | Does play both ways, as evidenced by a three interception, crucial 4th down reception performance against St. Xavier; check out the postgame interview as well.
Jordan Payton, Oaks Christian (Westlake Village, CA), 6'2", 190 lb, soft verbal to USC
Offers: Has been committed to the Trojans since last March, so hasn't received many offers. There are miscellaneous reports he might be interested in Cal, and he does have an offer, but nothing concrete yet.
(via ALLSTARAPPROACH)
Video: Junior year highlights (see above) | Edison passing tournament with his high school teammates | Sophomore highlights | Lots of sophomore clips courtesy of one Trojan fan, although quality is mostly poor | Quick soundbytes after catching 10 passes for 181 yards and three touchdowns in playoff semifinal | Lots of ($) video on Payton's Scout profile
More news: USC commitment story; he was the Trojans first commit from the 2012 class | Cali High Sports feature, was named player of the week for his aforementioned three TD performance in the semifinals | potential US Army All-American candidate, along with Cal offensive lineman target Jordan Simmons.
Darius Powe, Lakewood (Lakewood, CA)
Offers: Arizona, Cal, Colorado, Nebraska, Oregon, UCLA, Washington
Video: Sophomore highlights | More sophomore highlights
More news: Greg Biggins considers Powe a big receiver with strong hands and makes dynamic plays | Cali Hi Sports echoes those sentiments | Attending same school as Cal commit Todd Barr
Derrick Woods, Inglewood (Inglewood, CA), 6'1", 180 lbs
Offers: Arizona schools, Cal, Florida, Idaho, Miami (FL), Oregon schools, Furd, UCLA, USC, Washington
(via utrhighlightvideos)
Video: Junior highlights (see above) | More junior highlights | Sophomore highlights
More news: Considered the 14th best recruit in the state of California by Cali High Sports because of his strong fundamentals | Woods talks about increased attention with Rivals ($) | According to this WeAreSC feature, has played multiple positions in high school, including quarterback, tailback, wide receiver, safety; could once play hoops but decided to focus on football after arriving at Inglewood | According to Biggins ($), he likes the local LA schools, but wouldn't mind going outside the region.
Additional receivers to watch out for
Malik Gilmore, Lakewood (Lakewood, CA), 6'3", 195 lb
Offers: Duke, Michigan, Notre Dame, San Diego St., Utah, Washington; has expressed interest in Cal
(via malikabooboo)
Video: Junior highlights (see above) | More clips from ScoutTV ($)
News: Will be attending Cal's Junior Day next month | MCL tear his sophomore season, prefers to stay on the West Coast | Teammate of Darius Powe, considered the best receiving duo in the Southland by their head coach; former teammate of Todd Barr
Davonte Neal, Chaparral (Scottsdale, AZ); 5'10", 175 lb
Offers: 16 D-1 schools, including the Arizonas, Arkansas, Auburn, BYU, LSU, Oregon St., Penn St., and the LA schools. Ron Gould is his primary recruiter, but Cal has yet to offer Neal.
(via bchesin)
Video: Junior highlights (see above) | More junior highlights | Even more junior highlights | Sophomore highlights | US Army 2009 Combine highlights | Top 40 yard dash as a sophomore at a 4.41, and top vertical jump at Phoenix Sophomore Day in National Underclassmen Combine | Performed well at Nike Football combine | Training with Neal
More news: Transferred from Cesar Chavez to Chaparral before his junior season | Has a whole blog dedicated to him by a big Davonte Neal fan (odd) | Greg Biggins is a big fan ($)
Nicholas Rothstein, Jesuit (Portland, OR)
Offers: None, but interested in several academically-inclined schools
Nicholas Rothstein (via bluechipsports)
Video: Junior highlights (see above) | Offensive Skill MVP in National Underclassmen Combine as a sophomore, can play defensively, great vertical and broad jump | One-on-one work
More news: Invited to 2011 US Army All-American Combine, has visited Oregon on a few occasions but is interested in checking out Cal and UCLA | Made the ESPN RISE All-Nike Camp team at Oregon State this summer
Richard Smith, Long Beach Poly (Long Beach, CA); 5'9", 170 lb
Offers: UCLA, Washington
(via LBPOLYfootball)
Video: Junior highlights (see above) | More junior highlights ($) | FightOn247 Interview | Had 8 receptions for 184 yards against Mater Dei in playoff loss
More news: Poly head coach Raul Lara thinks Smith could be "the next DeSean Jackson" | Photo compilation video after being named Moore Offensive Player of the Year | Smith really wants to stay in the Pac-10 ($), so we'll likely be familiar with him one way or the other.