I wanted to put some thought into the question that gcb1994 and others have posited about the current class and whether or not the staff is identifying true underrated diamonds in the rough with so many low rated commitments being taken so early. The fact of the matter is we really don't know yet. There is certainly an element of added risk in taking so many early commitments, as there's that much more growth and development you have to project without the added benefit of senior season film to use when evaluating. A staff has to be supremely confident in their own evaluation skills. And for the longterm health of the program, they need to be right more often than not. But it will make for a fascinating high school football season as we track the performances of the class. I do think some guys have the potential to blow up. Others I'm less sure of.
What I did want to do is give a brief assessment of the class, as of right now, with the data (junior tape and sometimes valuable in-person assessments) we have available to us. These are my opinions, and mine alone.
In the interest of simplicity, I opted to split the class into three categories: "Like", "Can Live With", and "Sell Me". I think those are self-explanatory, but if not let me know. These are my personal feelings on the commits, and are more about what I see than their actual rankings. For the purposes of this exercise, I don't actually care about rankings at all. Its just my comfort level with each take, right now.
LIKE (no order)
Where are you at?
What I did want to do is give a brief assessment of the class, as of right now, with the data (junior tape and sometimes valuable in-person assessments) we have available to us. These are my opinions, and mine alone.
In the interest of simplicity, I opted to split the class into three categories: "Like", "Can Live With", and "Sell Me". I think those are self-explanatory, but if not let me know. These are my personal feelings on the commits, and are more about what I see than their actual rankings. For the purposes of this exercise, I don't actually care about rankings at all. Its just my comfort level with each take, right now.
LIKE (no order)
- Paco Perez- nearly every prospect will have some sort of wart. I see very few with Perez. Arguably the most flawless commit right now.
- Max Gilliam- I was impressed the first time I watched him when I went in assuming he was just added depth for the QB class. He's a whole lot more than that.
- Armani Rogers- tremendous physical potential. Whether he ever reaches it or not remains to be seen. It won't be at Cal most likely though.
- Chris Yaghi- His technique needs work but the strength and upside makes him a favorite of mine, as you all should know by now.
- Zion Echols- He's small in stature but he's well built and can add needed versatility and wiggle to the backfield.
- Daniel Juarez- Really like his build and feet, just want to see him add weight.
- Jake Curhan- Needs upper body strength but his long arms and size excite me.
- Josh Drayden- He's the most complete of the CB's right now.
- Traveon Beck- He's shown well for himself this spring and his size is less and less of a concern.
- Matt Laris- For what they want in a Y, I love him.
- AJ McCollum- covered him pretty extensively last week, but he'll bring needed attitude to the line when Rigsbee moves on.
- Derrick Clark- Fast, physical, lot to like.
- Drew Kobayashi- He's good, not great. His placement here has more to do with the fact that I think Cal could do better at wide receiver.
- Cameron Goode- His commitment spurred the latest round of discussions about recruiting. He's a very good football player and fits what they want at Sam backer very well...assuming he can add the weight without losing his range. That is a valid question.
- Markus Wright- He showed me just enough that I'm okay with the take, but not yet real comfortable with it. I really want to see what he does this season. He's right on the border of "Can Live With" and "Sell Me". Really he, Gamble and Bynum could sit in either of these last two categories depending on how I feel each day.
- Logan Gamble- on the border. the reports this spring about his growth as a wideout have been extremely positive, but I need to see it this season. I expect to see it, based on everything I've heard. Gamble should hop right from here to "Like" by the time he's 4 games into his senior season.
- Camryn Bynum- On the border. I've warmed on Bynum from where I was, based on his physical growth and the fact that he's technically solid right now. Like Gamble, I need to see more.
- Tevin Paul- I like his size, but I need more than just "good size" and "pretty solid all-around" from a defensive tackle. At the high school level he should be more disruptive than he has been.
- Rusty Becker- He's undergone a physical transformation. Need to see how much better of a football player it's made him. His competition is hot garbage. Dominate, big boy.
Where are you at?
