Cal football recruiting news: Tre Watson courted by Washington, Garrett Hughes to New Mexico

Some quick updates on the recruiting front as National Signing Day draws closer.

By Avinash Kunnath@avinashkunnath Jan 29, 2014, 7:31am PST

Although he's had a nice few recruiting weeks capped off with the commitment of Chandler Leniu last night, it's going to be tough for Sonny Dykes to deal with the loss of Koa Farmer. Cal has struggled since approximately forever in landing enough quality safety talent to fill a two deep, and it's looking like 2014-15 will be full of more mixing and matching to try and keep together a patchwork backline. However, getting linebacking talent like Leniu will make Andy Buh and Dykes feel a bit better about their long-term defensive prospects.

With Farmer off to Penn State, the priority for the coaching staff will be holding on for dear life to Corona (Ca.) Centennial running back Tre Watson. At the moment, Watson seems to be sticking with Cal, but that isn't stopping Chris Petersen and Washington from pressing their case.

Just posted an update on 3* RB Tre Watson. It's down to Cal, Washington and Utah for Watson. http://t.co/vTdalNP05K
— Andrew Gorringe (@AGorringeScout) January 28, 2014

Corona (Calif.) Centennial RB and #Cal commit Tre Watson will have an Inhome visit with #Washington HC Chris Petersen & Keith Bhonapha 2nite
— Lars Hanson (@LarsHanson) January 28, 2014

Cal needs two running backs in this class to fill in the depth chart behind Khalfani Muhammad and Daniel Lasco. Vic Enwere and Tre Watson could be the runners that revitalize Running Back U and they will almost certainly play this season. Pierre Ingram will probably be spending the next week trying to make sure that Watson sticks, because the Huskies have been relentless on the trail to try and nail down a solid class.

Watson's former teammate will not be joining him at Cal if he does decide to go here. Defensive end Garrett Hughes is off to New Mexico.

2-time #Cal commit Garrett Hughes has enrolled at New Mexico, here's more... ($) http://t.co/Sfvi1LFRVI
— Cal Rivals (@CalRivals) January 28, 2014

Hughes committed to Cal in October of Tedford's final season and stuck with the Bears, only to come up short on eligibility requirements for Berkeley. Hughes had to enroll in a JUCO to get back on track to play for Cal, but it looks like it won't work out for either party.

No word yet on Richmond (Ca.) Takkarist McKinley, although I wouldn't consider it very likely that he ends up back in Berkeley.

As many of you are aware, former USC decommit Bellflower (Ca.) St. John Bosco wide receiver Shay Fields did pick Colorado over Cal. Fields probably felt the allure of being the next Paul Richardson for the Buffs better than being part of a crowded rotation filled with talented receivers. It would have been nice to have Fields, but Cal is not exactly running low on top-notch wideouts at the moment. This won't be too difficult to swallow, unless Fields decides to take the Richardson thing seriously and rack up 200 receiving yards when we next hit up Boulder.

For those wondering about what Sacramento (Ca.) Capital Christian defensive end Nifae Lealao might be thinking about, it's been pretty much radio silence since his decommitment from Stanfurd. Who knows what will happen here.

The news figures to come fast and furious as the Bears try and close on several big players committed and uncommitted leading up to National Signing Day.