By Jay Heater
CONTRA COSTA TIMES
Despite being armed with many offensive weapons and a solid offensive line, Cal struggled in the Pac-10 this past season due to inconsistent quarterback play. Don't think coach Jeff Tedford didn't notice. When Cal announces its 2006 recruits today, quarterback Kevin Riley will head the list. Riley, from Beaverton, Ore., was the Oregon Gatorade Player of the Year. Although Riley expects to redshirt in 2006, his signing -- today is the first day high school seniors can sign football letters of intents -- suggests that Tedford is doing everything possible to make sure Cal's quarterback problems don't resurface this fall. Riley is joining a quarterback corps that includes Nate Longshore, a Parade All-American who will be a sophomore in 2006, and Kyle Reed, a Super Prep and PrepStar All-American who will be a redshirt freshman.
Tedford tried to bridge the gap between Aaron Rodgers, who left after his junior season in 2004 and became the first-round selection of the Green Bay Packers, and his heralded recruits by signing junior college all- American Joe Ayoob last season. That experiment didn't work out. However, quarterback shouldn't be an issue for Cal down the road with Longshore, Reed and Riley. "This program is up-and-coming and I wanted to be a part of it," Riley said. Although Riley said Cal's academic reputation was a big part of his decision, he emphatically stated that playing for Tedford was the No. 1 reason he decided to come to Berkeley. "I knew about him when he was at Oregon," Riley said. "My high school (offensive coordinator) was my father (Faustin Riley) and he knew all about Coach Tedford. He is an awesome guy. I love the type of player he uses at quarterback and I like his style of quarterback play. His quick, three-step passing game is something that I like very much. I also like that fundamentals are huge with him." Talking to Tedford in person cemented Riley's decision to attend Cal. "He just loves the game," Riley said of Tedford. "And it's so easy to talk to him. I feel I can talk to him about anything." Although Riley said he would love to play if needed in 2006, he admitted that it will take some time to learn Tedford's offensive system.
"Most likely I will (redshirt)," Riley said. "Whatever fits best. Hopefully, it won't take a lot of time to learn the system." Riley, who is 6-foot-11/2 and 202 pounds, said he was excited by the haul of talent that will join him at Cal. Besides Riley, Cal is expected to sign defensive tackles Mike Costanzo from Monte Vista and Derrick Hill of McClymonds. Hill was rated No. 1 in the Times' Cream of the Crop ratings released on Sunday. Costanzo was the No. 3 pick. Cal's other high-profile recruits include tailback James Montgomery from -Rancho Cordova and cornerback Darian Hagan of Crenshaw-Los Angeles. Stanford's top three recruits are expected to be Modesto High School defensive end Levirt Griffin, Norco High School running back Toby Gerhart and Dominguez-Compton High wide receiver Richard Sherman.
CAL'S ORAL COMMITS
Name, School, Pos., Ht., Wt.
Charles Amadi, Edison HS-Fresno, CB, 5-11, 180
Keith Browner, Dorsey HS-Los Angeles, DE, 6-6, 240
Mike Costanzo, Monte Vista HS-Danville, DT, 6-2, 300
Rulon Davis, Mt. San Antonio JC-Walnut, DE, 6-6 , 275
R.J. Garrett, Crenshaw HS-Los Angeles, RB, 6-0, 230
Mike Gibson, Solano JC-Suisun, OL, 6-5, 305
Mark Gray, El Camino JC-Torrance, OL, 6-1, 280
Chris Guarnero, Mullen HS-Denver, OL, 6-2, 260
Darian Hagan, Crenshaw HS-Los Angeles, CB, 5-10, 170
Derrick Hill, McClymonds HS-Oakland, DT, 6-3, 295
Brandon Jones, O-Dea HS-Seattle, CB, 5-10, 160
Andrew Larson, Saddleback JC-Mission Viejo, P, 6-0, 180
Isaac Leatiota, Wilcox HS-Santa Clara, DT, 6-4, 290
Daniel Lofton, Westview HS-San Diego, WR, 6-1, 185
Mike Mohamed, Brawley HS-Brawley, LB, 6-3, 190
James Montgomery, Cordova HS-Rancho Cordova, RB, 5-10, 190
Justin Prueitt, Buchanan HS-Clovis, OL, 6-5, 275
Kevin Riley, Beaverton HS-Beaverton, Ore., QB, 6-1, 202
Jeremy Ross, Laguna Creek HS-Elk Grove, WR, 5-11, 190
Tracy Slocum, Clovis East HS-Clovis, RB, 5-10, 190
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