Cal
Signing day storylines: With a redeeming opening-week win over Tennessee and a 5-0 start, head coach Jeff Tedford seemed to have his team poised to knock Pac-10 ruler USC from their throne. Ranked No. 2 in the nation and on the verge of becoming the No. 1 team in the land, things fell apart with a 1-6 finish. The Golden Bears did salvage a bowl appearance and a win to head into 2008 on a positive note. Cal's flirtation with No. 1 had to help raise awareness in recruiting and allow Tedford and his staff to try to build it into a national title contender.
Its recruiting is still not on par with the likes of conference foes USC or UCLA, but Cal displays an ability to land some very good talent. The Bears may likely finish in the bottom half of the Pac-10 in recruiting, but the 2008 class has some good qualities and fills some needs.
Top prospect: The top guy on the Golden Bears' list helps to fill a need. Cal recently found out that explosive junior wide receiver DeSean Jackson was opting for the NFL Draft. His playmaking ability will be missed and coupled with the fact that fellow targets WR Robert Jordan, WR Lavelle Hawkins and TE Craig Stevens are gone, Cal has a big need for receiving help. So beating programs like Oregon for Marvin Jones (Etiwanda, Calif.) is a big get. The in-state receiver is built similar to Hawkins and is a smooth runner with great hands. He can make the play on the deep ball and displays good concentration to catch the ball in a crowd. Though lean, he is a deceptively physical player who can take a hit and break arm tackles. He can get a little fancy at times trying to dance for big yards instead of getting upfield to get gains and also may lack that true second gear to blow by defenders at the college level. He will likely get a chance to prove himself early on.
Class highlights: Cal met some needs, but the question is will it be enough to make another legit run at No. 1? Besides Jones, it also has verbals from another prep wide out and a junior college receiver. Another receiver or two would probably benefit this class and the recruitment of Martin Bayless Jr. (Fresno, Texas/Hightower) down the stretch is something Cal fans may want to keep an eye on.
At running back, Cal lost leading rusher Justin Forsett, and promising freshman Jahvid Best finished 2007 with a hip injury. With those developments, the addition of Covaughn Deboskie (Chandler, Ariz./Hamilton) becomes even bigger. Deboskie is an aggressive back. He does not have a lot of flash to his game, but he quickly attacks the line of scrimmage and can create some big plays when he gets into the second level.
At tight end, tall Spencer Ladner (Kansas City, Mo./Pembroke Hill) is added while Tyler Rigsbee (Chico, Calif./Pleasant Valley) is a promising offensive lineman.
The defense also adds some possibly needed help in a junior college corner and linebacker J.P. Hurrell (San Mateo, Calif./Serra). Hurrell lacks ideal size but can be a defensive playmaker.
Could see the field in 2008: WR Jones, TE Ladner, RB Deboskie and the junior college additions.
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