Wednesday, December 31, 2008

'58 Rose Bowl Team, Recruiting Update, and Some Other Reading




An uncharacteristically informative and reminiscent piece about Cal's last Rose Bowl team, by the usually surly SF Comical. Link.

Another surprisingly optimistic piece here, providing an outlook on next year by the Comical (somebody must have locked Ray Fatto in a dark room and slipped a roofie in Rusty Simmons' coffee).

Here's a look at next season from Inside Bay Area.

I'll be providing a more detailed outlook shortly as well.

In other news, Cal is in the mix for some big-time recruits right now, chiefly blazer Randall Carroll and #1 DE prospect nationally Devon Kennard. Carroll is a USC verbal who has all but confirmed that he will not be attending USC, and as of today, states Cal is his leader. Carroll won the state 100m, so if he chooses Cal, that makes two state champs who could be on the field together next year. He is built small and lean like Jackson, and runs like him in the open field, and Cal coaches have told him they'd try to get him the ball on designed plays next year, a bit like how they used Best in 2007.

Kennard was essentially unblockable on the field and at every camp he attended. He has the build and the skill set to get on the field as a true freshman, much like Cameron Jordan. Cal's staff has told him they would use similar to Follett when he has rushed the passer from a three point stance. Kennard has narrowed his choices to Texas, USC and Cal. Tedford has the last in-home visit with the the kid, so there's a chance.

It is noteworthy for Cal to be in the mix down to the wire for high profile recruits like these. Everyone wants these two, from USC to Florida, which is a testament to how well Tedford has chosen his staff, since they are the chief recruiters of these kids. But the best part about both of these recruits is they have strong character, family, and academic profiles. It would be a true coup if they were to choose Cal.

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