Rusty Simmons, Chronicle Staff Writer
Cal coach Jeff Tedford is expected to announce today an incoming class of about 20 recruits that reflects the Bears' 2007 season - their chances of landing some top recruits likely disappeared with their falling fortunes on the field after a 5-0 start and No. 2 ranking. "Before things started to go south, Cal probably had chances to do things in recruiting that would have made this one of its best classes ever," said Brian Stumpf, the director of football for Student Sports. "Since Tedford has been there, his approach has been slower than any other Pac-10 team - really taking his time to evaluate players - and that has paid off when they've won (a lot of) games and finished with a bang. "When they struggled this year, it really knocked them back in recruiting." Most recruiting Web sites rank Cal's class between Nos. 30 and 35 and sixth among the Pac-10 teams. The Bears have been ranked among the nation's top 25, including 2005's No. 9 overall class, and no worse than fourth in the conference in each of the previous five seasons.
"There were a lot of blue-chip guys who they were in on, but they missed out on them," Stumpf said. "Tedford's approach has worked out great since they always find a headliner guy, but that was a big loss this time." The biggest loss might have been the Sierra Junior College's Carl Moore, one of the nation's top receivers who chose Florida despite Cal's heavy push. The Bears also missed on four-star defensive end Tevita Finau, who chose West Virginia, four-star linebacker Marcus Dowtin, who opted for Georgia and three four-star players who visited Berkeley on Jan. 11 but picked UCLA instead.
"This class might not be as strong or rated as highly as the past couple of classes, but, in terms of depth, I really like it," said Greg Biggins, director of recruiting and Pac-10 analyst for Rivals. "There's no franchise or obvious blue-chip talent, like DeSean Jackson or Jahvid Best, but, top to bottom, it might be good as it has been."
Cal has received 20 strong verbal commitments, 18 high school players and two junior-college transfers, and is especially strong at receiver and in the secondary, according to team sources. By position, the class has five receivers, five defensive backs, three defensive linemen, two offensive linemen, two tight ends and one each at quarterback, running back and linebacker.
Under NCAA rules, coaches are prohibited from talking about their recruiting classes until they have the signed letters in hand. Cal will host a signing-day news conference at 2 p.m., which can be followed on calbears.com.
Marvin Jones of Etiwanda High in Ontario (San Bernardino County) and Merced High's Jarrett Sparks are considered four-star receivers by many and will give the Bears the bulk they didn't have with Jackson and seniors Lavelle Hawkins and Robert Jordan. Marc Anthony, a corner from Chandler, Ariz., is the headliner of the defensive-back recruits, and Castlemont's Chris Little is a sleeper in the secondary.
Running back Covaughn Deboskie, from Hamilton High in Chandler, Ariz., defensive tackle Trevor Guyton, from Redmond, Wash., tight end Spencer Ladner, from Kansas City, Mo., and offensive tackle Tyler Rigsbee, of Pleasant Valley High-Chico, also have gotten four-star projections by recruiting services.
"There are a lot of guys there who have a chance to make an impact," Stumpf said. "Deboskie is a game breaker, we're really high on center Dominic Galas and the Texas guys (defensive back Josh Hill and Kendrick Payne) were under the radar but could pan out."
Two specialists, long snapper Matt Rios and kicker David Seawright, also are expected to join the group, and Tedford has had a knack for making a late splash. Three years ago, Jackson chose Cal over USC in a dramatic signing-day announcement, and last season, cornerback Chris Conte spurned a verbal commitment to UCLA and signed with the Bears on signing day.
"They always seem to have a surprise up their sleeves, but you never really know what to expect," Biggins said. "It wouldn't surprise me if they pull a rabbit out of the hat."
Safety Martin Bayless, of Hightower High in Missouri City, Texas, and defensive lineman Roderick Davis, of Eisenhower High in Houston are the top recruits who have yet to verbally commit but include Cal on their short lists.
Strange saga: Although he apparently was not contacted nor offered a scholarship by Cal, a player committed to the Bears in a ceremony at Fernley High (Nevada) on Friday, according to wire-service reports. It is unclear whether Kevin Hart, an offensive lineman, fabricated the whole thing, was duped by a Tedford impersonator or fell victim to one of a bevy of other conspiracy theories circling recruiting Web sites and chat rooms.
Hart, his family and coach have refused comment, and Cal can't comment on prep players. A number of investigations, from criminal to fact-seeking, have commenced, but the lone reported and recurring fact is that neither Cal, nor Oregon, which Hart claimed as his second choice, offered a scholarship. He also claimed to be recruited by Oklahoma State, Washington and Nevada.
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