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— Cal Rivals (@CalRivals) December 14, 2014
This was a big weekend for the California Golden Bears, who need all the help they can get on the recruiting trail. Cal got huge commitments on both sides of the line from two of the visitors. Offensive tackle Nick Buchanan and defensive lineman DeVante Wilson are both heading to Cal next fall!
Cal had plenty of other visitors this week, many of a Southern variety.
The biggest name on our visit list this week was Suwanee (Ga.) North Gwinnett wide receiver Daniel Imatorbhebhe. Yes, Cal is stacked at wideout, but the Bears need to get ready--they're losing six of their seven of their top pass catchers next season. Even then, Imatorbhebhe is good enough to play this season (6'4, 227 inside wide receiver? Good luck guarding that) and gives Cal a matchup nightmare on the inside who could also be a valuable blocker..
Had fun in Cali with my bros , ready to get home ! Wheels up to the A pic.twitter.com/OOIBmX7LH9
— Daniel Imatorbhebhe (@_bhex2) December 14, 2014
There is stiff competition though. Florida wants him.
3-star TE Daniel Imatorbhebhe will visit #Cal this weekend and will make his decision between Cal and #Gators "sooner rather than later"
— Derek Tyson (@DerekTysonESPN) December 11, 2014
He is an early enrollee and would be on a college campus this spring, so a decision is expected this week.
A bigger position of need is defensive back, where Gainesville (Ga.) athlete Chris Williamson. Pictured in the Imatorbhebhe photo above, Williamson is one of our biggest targets at defensive back--he played mostly cornerback and wide receiver in high school (Hudl tape). The offer is recent, but he did visit this week so he's definitely intrigued.
But there is a long list of competitors.
Chris Williamson has named his top schools; BYU, Iowa State, Wake Forest, UCF, Cinci., Cal & Northwestern
— CougarNation.com (@kaceyrobbins) December 6, 2014
San Bernardino (Ca.) athlete Nathan Meadors picked up a lot of late offers and Cal was his first big visit.
#Cal makes big impression on San Bernardino (Calif) San Gorgonio ATH Nathan Meadors following visit http://t.co/2DELenyaWo #UCLA #Washington
— Greg Biggins (@GregBiggins) December 15, 2014
The Bears unfortunately face a lot of stiff competition. Washington, Boise State, Notre Dame and UCLA are all on the schedule too. Landing Meadors would be big--Cal needs to prove it can win West Coast recruiting battles.
It's also unclear what this nugget of information means. Cal probably is declaring open competition on the secondary after the late season struggles.
Interesting excerpt from Nathan Meadors' OV. Lowe gone...but McClure, Dozier, White should make 3 returning starters? pic.twitter.com/CmYxqMZpDS
— Nam Le (@AGuyNamedNam) December 15, 2014
Cal also managed to get Duke commit and Mobile (Al.) Murphy athlete DePriest Turner to come out to the West. It's unclear how interested Turner is and what position we want him for--he is a dual threat quarterback but projects as a wide receiver or defensive back as well.
3-star #Duke pledge DePriest "Trey" Turner en route to #Cal for official visit. http://t.co/SrLGdHjhov @RGBearTerritory @TheDevilsDen
— John Garcia Jr. (@JohnGarcia_Jr) December 12, 2014
According to Rivals, Trinity Valley C.C. JUCO cornerbacks Jomal Wiltz & Brandon Stewart also visited. Iowa State appears to be the main competition for Wiltz, while Cal remains Stewart's only major offer. If Cal can't land any of their top prospects at corner (and there are many), expect the recruitment of these guys to pick up.
Two of our Cal commits were also present this week. Bothell (Wa.) quarterback Ross Bowers, fresh off of flying touchdowns, made the trip; Bowers will be enrolling in January, so people who make it out to spring camp should see him pretty soon. He was quite pleased with the commitments.
1 of the most important recruits for me personally committed 2day&couldn't be happier for him!Cal fans show some love to my guy@Nbuchanan70
— Ross Bowers (@R_Bowers12) December 14, 2014
The next Clowney coming to Cal with us and I can't wait to get to work with you bro! @BigDwil_11
— Ross Bowers (@R_Bowers12) December 14, 2014
There was also Little Rock (Ark.) defensive lineman Luc Bequtte, who might have tough decisions ahead of him--Bequette has been receiving the full-court press from Vanderbilt in recent days, and might have to consider his options.
Tomorrow: Little Rock✈️Dallas✈️Cal
— Luc Bequette (@bigbeq12) December 12, 2014
Note: Frank Buncom IV was supposed to visit, but had to cancel due to a knee injury in a high school playoff game. He has rescheduled for January.
San Diego (Calif) St. Augustine DB Frank Buncom had to cancel weekend visit to #Cal after injuring his knee last week http://t.co/EjIyWUVGDz
— Greg Biggins (@GregBiggins) December 12, 2014