Daily Cal: Tedford Happy With 2007 Class

BY Matt Kawahara

Chalk 2007 up as another solid recruiting year for coach Jeff Tedford and the Cal football team.  Despite the absence of a five-star recruit, the Bears’ recruiting class is ranked No. 12 in the nation by Scout.com. Eight All-America signees highlight a 26–member group that includes 14 offensive players, 11 defensive players and one specialist.  “The 2007 recruiting class, we feel, is a huge success,” Tedford said. “We have a lot of size and strength up front, and a lot of speed and skill at our skill positions.”  Although Cal will return a plethora of offensive weapons in 2007, including quarterback Nate Longshore and wide receiver DeSean Jackson, the team’s most impressive additions may have come on the offensive side of the ball.  The Bears netted five freshman offensive linemen, including All-America signees Matt Summers-Gavin—ranked No. 11 among linemen in the country—and Sam DeMartinis to compensate for the loss of seniors Erik Robertson and Andrew Cameron.  “I’m very pleased with our offensive line class,” Tedford said. “They’re very physical and athletic. They finish their blocks and play snap-to-whistle.”  The Bears also signed two of the more promising tailbacks in the nation in Jahvid Best and Shane Vereen, and 6–foot–5 quarterback Brock Mansion, dangerous with his speed as well as his arm.  “Best is very elusive, very fast. When he gets in the open field he has tremendous speed,” Tedford said. “Vereen is very used to catching the football, and has excellent hands.”

Best rushed for 3,325 yards as a senior at Salesian High. Vereen boasts impressive lower body strength and impressive cutback ability.  In addition, Cal bolstered a defense that lost several standouts, including tackle Brandon Mebane and cornerback Daymeion Hughes.  The Bears signed four freshman defensive ends, each of whom has a legitimate shot at a spot on a defensive line that tallied 10.5 sacks last year.  “These guys are four great athletes that can provide some very strong pass rush abilities,” Tedford said. “We’re hoping that one or two of them can play a vital role in what we’re doing.”  D.J. Holt, an All-America signee, and four-star prospect Alex Cook head a solid group of four incoming linebackers.  D.J. Campbell, Sean Cattouse and Chris Conte make up a group of defensive back recruits that feature size as well as athleticism.  The Bears also landed Bryan Anger, listed as the No. 5 punter in the nation by Scout.com.  “We’re going to open it up for competition for everybody,” Tedford said. “Everyone gets an equal chance from day one to show what they can do.”