Cal Football Recruiting: Ranking the Ten Recruiting Classes Under Jeff Tedford
Cal Football Recruiting: Ranking the Ten Recruiting Classes Under Jeff Tedford
As Jeff Tedford enters his tenth year as the Cal football coach, he brings in his tenth recruiting class. Though Tosh Lupoi has catastrophically sabotaged this year's recruiting class, there is still a haul of 17 young men ready to play:
- Zach Kline (QB, San Ramon Valley, Danville, CA). Early Entree.
- Christian Okafor (OL, Oaks Christian, Houston, TX). Early Entree.
- Cole Leninger (P, Bartram Trail, Fruit Cove, FL)
- Freddie Tagaloa (OL, Salesian, Richmond, CA)
- Hardy Nickerson, Jr. (LB, Bishop O'Dowd, Oakland, CA)
- Darius Powe (WR, Lakewood, Lakewood, CA)
- Matt Cochran (OL, Buhach Colony, Atwater, CA)
- Maximo Espitia (FB, South Salem, Salem, OR)
- Jeffrey Coprich (ATH, West Ranch, Stevenson Ranch, CA)
- Chris Harper (WR, Crespi, Encino, CA)
- Steven Moore (OL, Elk Grove, Elk Grove, CA)
- Damariay Drew (DB, Livermore, Livermore, CA)
- Cedric Dozier (WR, Lakes, Lakewood, WA)
- Michael Barton (LB, De La Salle, Concord, CA)
- Bryce Treggs (WR, St. John Bosco, Bellflower, CA)
- Kenny Lawler (WR, Upland, Upland, CA)
- Raymond Ford (CB, Junipero Serra, Gardena, CA)
But how do they compare to classes of the past?
follow me on twitter: @sportsmanboy
10. 2009
The class of 2009 did not aid the Golden Bears overall team strength very much. Led by running back Isi Sofele and CB Steve Williams, the remainder of this class has yet to show convincing, contributing ability.
2-star recruits: 5
3-star recruits: 5
4-star recruits: 6
Total class: 19
This class still has another year left for talent to emerge, but thus far they have not impressed.
9. 2008
2008 produced only two recognizable Cal contributors, WR Marvin Jones and LB Mychael Kendricks. This class did improve the team, but did not give Cal enough talent to lean on come 2011.
2-star recruits: 4
3-star recruits: 12
4-star recruits: 5
5-star recruits: 0
Total class: 21
Marvin Jones deserves more respect from the Cal faithful despite being overshadowed by Keenan Allen in his final season. He's been impressing scouts thus far since graduating.
8. 2006
In a relatively mediocre recruiting class, 2006 produced Kevin Riley and Jeremy Ross on the offensive end-of-the-ball with Darian Hagan, Mike Mohamed and Derrick Hill on the defensive end.
2-star recruits: 3
3-star recruits: 8
4-star recruits: 9
5-star recruits: 0
Total class: 20
The highlight of this class is actually the 2-star linebacker, Mike Mohamed, who was a cornerstone of the Bears defense through his senior year. His big game performance in 2009 will always be remembered.
7. 2011
We have yet to see the majority of this class on the field, but I expect RB Brendan Bigelow to contribute in a big way in the coming years. This class is ripe with solid, but not exceptional talent, and should be a solid foundation for future teams.
2-star recruits: 0
3-star recruits: 12
4-star recruits: 10
5-star recruits: 0
Total class: 22
Running back Daniel Lasco should not be overlooked by Cal fans as the incredibly fast back was injured last season.
6. 2012
This may be an overvalue, but this year's recruiting class seems to have given us a star QB and WR for the future. Zach Kline and Bryce Treggs make the sting from the defection of Shaq Thompson, hurt a little less.
2-star recruits: 0
3-star recruits: 12
4-star recruits: 10
5-star recruits: 0
Total class: 22
Keep an eye on Bryce Treggs in the return game as Cal tends to test out their speedy talent with returns duty in their first season.
Note: Five additional recruits have declared Cal as their school of choice since signing day, but none more coveted than Kline and Treggs.
5. 2010
Keenan Allen was the recruit of the year, snatched up from the east coast, the 5-star stud has contributed immediately, and still has two years left at Cal.
2-star recruits: 0
3-star recruits: 10
4-star recruits: 7
5-star recruits: 2
Total class: 19
Beyond Keenan Allen, we should see a lot of this class emerge this season, with more playing time. Only time will tell how good this recruiting class truly is.
4. 2007
Jahvid Best and Shane Vereen came into Cal to be the next Justin Forsett and Marshawn Lynch, which they did with success. 2007's class featured Best and Vereen on offense and Cameron Jordan, Chris Conte, and Sean Cattouse on defense.
2-star recruits: 2
3-star recruits: 18
4-star recruits: 5
5-star recruits: 0
Total class: 25
Also worth noting is the addition of punter Bryan Anger, who was an Pac-10 first team punter multiple times in his career.
3. 2004
Beast mode. The class of incoming freshmen of 2004, was basically as solid at running back than a class has ever been at Cal. Featuring Justin Forsett and Marshawn Lynch, as well as the offensive line centerpieces Alex Mack and Mike Tepper.
2-star recruits: 7
3-star recruits: 6
4-star recruits: 6
5-star recruits: 0
Total class: 19
This class provided little else outside of running backs and offensive linemen, but that was certainly worth something.
2. 2003
In a group led by J.J. Arrington (pictured), Aaron Rodgers, Matt Giordano and Thomas DeCoud, the 2003 class spurred the rise of the Golden Bears, and almost got them to a Rose Bowl.
2-star recruits: 3
3-star recruits: 19
4-star recruits: 4
5-star recruits: 0
Total class: 26
Beyond the numbers, Aaron Rodgers and J.J. Arrington made great contributions to Cal success, hence why, despite very few highly rated prospects, this class gets supreme respect on the list.
1. 2005
The class of 2005 should be named "Defense and Desean". Featuring Desmond Bishop, Zach Follett, Syd'Quan Thompson and Tyson Alualu, the Bears recruited one of the best linebacker cores in the nation, an intimidating pass rusher, and a lock-down cornerback.
2-star recruits: 2
3-star recruits: 12
4-star recruits: 9
5-star recruits: 1
Total class: 24
Beyond all of the defensive gusto, they nabbed Desean Jackson. A weapon that cannot be undervalued, Jackson went on to torch defenses in his three years as a Bear.