Web site is part of PR blitz on behalf of junior wide receiver
Rusty Simmons, Chronicle Staff Writer
For the second consecutive season, the Cal athletic department has started a Heisman Trophy campaign for a standout junior, launching a Web site devoted to receiver/returner DeSean Jackson this week. The beautifully designed site (the1towatch.com) features flash animation for the introduction and promises to be updated with video highlights, player profiles and photo galleries. As running back Marshawn Lynch learned last season, however, compiling individual statistics and team wins tends to speak louder to Heisman voters than even the best of Web sites. In 2004, Cal officials were hesitant to wage Heisman promotions for quarterback Aaron Rodgers and tailback J.J. Arrington. The matter was complicated by having multiple logical candidates, but this season, Jackson is clearly the No. 1 guy. He is rated the No. 1 receiver in the nation by the Sporting News and rivals.com, and is on several preseason All-America first-team lists. Jackson has 21 touchdowns in 24 games in his college career, and has been Cal's leading receiver among a talented trio for the past two seasons. He also led the nation in punt-return average and punt-return touchdowns as a sophomore.
Also, Jackson and linebacker Zack Follett were listed among the nation's elite players for two of college football's most prestigious awards last week. Jackson is one of 65 on the "watch list" for the Maxwell Award, which is given to the nation's most outstanding player, and Follett is among those listed as a candidate for the Chuck Bednarik Award, which goes to the nation's top defensive player. In two seasons, Follett has been regarded for his big-play ability and garnered Pac-10 honors despite not being a starter. He recorded 62 tackles with a team-high 12.5 tackles for loss last season. He also tied for the team-lead with 5.5 sacks and led the conference with four forced fumbles.
Get the ticket: Tickets will become available to the public Sunday by going to calbears.com or calling (800) 462-3277. Cal's allotment of tickets for the Big Game at Stanford have been sold out, but season-ticket plans and other home- and road-game tickets are still available.
Briefly: Trevor Guyton, the fourth-rated prospect in Washington and the No. 1 defensive tackle in the state, announced this week that he has committed to Cal. He benches 360 pounds and squats 510, and as a junior at Redmond High, he had 80 tackles, four sacks, two fumble recoveries and three forced fumbles. Guyton joins Spencer Ladner, a tight end from the Pembroke High (Kansas City, Mo.), and Tyler Rigsbee, a tackle from Pleasant Valley High-Chico, as the third four-star player among the eight Cal has gotten to commit early. ... Lynch is the front man of a high school football camp, starting at 9 a.m. today at Oakland Tech. ... Follett is also on the watch list for the Lott Trophy, which was won by former Cal cornerback Daymeion Hughes last season and recognizes athletic performance as well as personal character. ... Offensive lineman Alex Mack is on the watch list for the Rimington Trophy (top center), the Lombardi Award (top lineman) and the Outland Trophy (top interior lineman).
Cal's preseason rankings
No. 9 -- ESPN.com
No. 11 -- Athlon Sports
No. 11 -- Street & Smith's
No. 12 -- The Sporting News
No. 12 -- Lindy's
No. 15 -- Rivals.com
No. 16 -- CBS Sportsline
No. 18 -- College Football News
No. 19 -- Nationalchamps.net
No. 20 -- Sports Illustrated
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