Santa Clarita Signal: Nine locals will potentially suit up for NCAA football teams as true freshmen in 2007.

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Shane Vereen (Valencia)

California Golden Bears

Shane Vereen is listed at running back, but it's hard to imagine he'll see much time there in 2007.  Ahead of him on the depth chart is probably the best returning backup in the country - Justin Forsett, who takes over for the Buffalo Bills' first round draft pick, Marshawn Lynch.  Forsett returns with the highest career yards-per-carry average amongst returning backs at 6.39. That's more than West Virginia's Steve Slaton, Boise State's Ian Johnson and Heisman hopeful Darren McFadden of Arkansas - who rank second, third and fourth amongst returning backs.

James Montgomery of Rancho Cordova, a 205-pound redshirt freshman, is listed as the No. 2 back following a strong spring.

Perennial high school All-American Jahvid Best, of Vallejo, will likely also be in the mix. The prize recruit for the Golden Bears, Best ran for 6,428 yards in his high school career, including 91 touchdowns. He tallied more than half of those scores his senior season (3,325 yards, 48 TDs).  Cal head coach Jeff Tedford hinted Thursday at Pac-10 Media Day in Los Angeles that both Best and Vereen are definitely in the mix heading into fall camp - but wouldn't rule out a redshirt season for either.  "I'm really anxious to see Shane and Jahvid at camp," Tedford said. "Both are physical guys who can contribute in some way."

 

Ben Longshore (Canyon)

Utah State Aggies

Canyon High's former pro-style quarterback Ben Longshore will attempt to become the third Longshore brother to start for a Division I football program this fall, and the second to do so for a Utah institution. Longshore, who has brothers who have played for both Cal and BYU, will attempt to walk-on at quarterback for the Utah State Aggies.

He'll have a host of talent ahead of him when he arrives, including senior Leon Jackson III - the likely starter for the Aggies - JC transfer Sean Setzer, sophomore Jase McCormick and senior Mike Affleck. One signal caller he won't have to beat out is sophomore Riley Nelson, who left for a two-year LDS Church Mission and won't return until 2009. Nelson started the final seven games for Utah State in 2007.