Posted on Mon, 01/28/2008 - 19:41 — by sp4149
As the last uncommitted prospects are wooed fror the few remaining scholarships in 2008; is it time to focus on the next year? I looked at the 2009 prospects and decided to start a new thread vice adding to the "Recruiting 2008" thread.
This was driven by the committment to USC of perhaps the top QB for 2009, Matt Barkley , last week. For 2009 USC already has six verbals, including one five star, and 4 star prospects. All are from California, five from SoCal. Unlike last year, UCLA is off to a much slower start, just one four star prospect also from SoCal. Cal has two verbals, one a long snapper was originally a 2008 prospect, both are one star prospects for now. On the list of 2009 Cal prospects is a four star QB from Austin, Texas, Garrett Gilbert. His schools of interest are Cal and Nebraska (which has offered).
Why his early interest in Cal? Seems his father attended Cal. Gale Gilbert is the only player in NFL history to be a member of five straight Super Bowl teams. Gilbert was a member of the Bills who played in four straight Super Bowls (XXV through XXVIII) and of the Chargers who played in Super Bowl XXIX. Gilbert was on the losing team in all five Super Bowl games. In the famous game featuring "The Play" between the University of California Golden Bears and the Stanford University Cardinals, Gale Gilbert was a sophomore and the starting quarterback for the University of California.
After losing McAllister to USC in 2008; it would be nice to reverse the trend and offer early the son of a Cal QB and a top prospect in 2009. There is going to be a lot of competition for Gilbert, including those hated Texas schools, Texas Tech and the Longhorns. Here's a good story on this QB prospect from Texas, but roots in California:
http://www.statesman.com/sports/content/sports/stories/highschool/12/07/1207bohls.html
-sp4149
|
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 67
How good is this son of a Bear, Texas high school QB Garrett Gilbert?
He set three Texas single season passing records. The quarterback led Lake Travis, Texas, to its first state football championship and along the way set three single-season state records. Two of his records were set in the Class 4A Division II championship game on Dec. 22, although one of them wasn't definite until just a few days ago. Cavaliers coaches, who decided not to review game film of the 36-34 title game win over Highland Park until after the holidays, have confirmed that Gilbert threw for 361 yards against the Scots. That gave him 4,827 yards for the 2007 season, two yards more than former Ennis quarterback Graham Harrell had in 2003. Gilbert also set state records for single-season pass completions (360) and attempts (556). Cavs receiver Jason Bird had 153 catches, smashing the previous state mark of 124 set four years ago by Crosby's Philip Beck.
Garrett goes to great lengths to say "everything is open and level" and that he is not leaning anywhere. But he would like to make a decision before his senior season and before official visits are allowed. I know Cal offered Matt Barkley, who just committed to USC. Garrett sounds better to me with the plus of a Cal legacy. Cal should offer him now.
-sp4149
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 13
Wow! Gale Gilbert's kid, that's very cool. Gale had a great arm and was very patient in the pocket, however, this seemed to contribute to taking more hits and having knee problems. It sounds like his kid is more mobile, thank God!
I was a junior for "The Play" game of '82. While The Play and Elway's dramatic comeback get the highlights, Gale threw some beautiful balls to Merritt(?) Ford and Wes Howell.
It would be hard not to want this kid in a bear uniform.
Go Bears!
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 14
This is my first post -- so BEAR with me. I've enjoyed reading everyone's comments - with 2 exceptions. Everybody knows who they are.
If I'm not mistaken, Gale's freshman year was under Mouse Davis and the run-and-shoot. I believe he injured his leg in a game against Texas A&M ?? and the Bears were blowing them away before the injury. The Bears ended up losing the game with Gale on the sideline. Hopefully, his kid has a bit more mobility. Gale was a great competitor and I would love to see his kid at Cal.
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 137
BB:
Your memory is right on.
I played in that game and Gale did blow his knee. We were using the Run-n-Shoot very successfully up to that point and I always wondered what might have been had Gale not been injured. I went out for the year with a neck injury the next week against Georgia, so fortunately I wasn't on the field for most of what was a pretty dismal year (including giving up 42 to Stanford).
He really had a ton of talent and did well in spite of his knees. If the son is anything like the father, Cal would do well to add him to their squad!
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 14
Thanks for the confirmation; it's nice to know that LT memory is still functioning! I graduated in '72 and have seen a lot of Cal football. I was listening to that game thinking what a geat season we were going to have....
I remember watching Tedford play at Fresno State thinking what great mechanics he had. By far and away he is the best football coach we have had since Gale's days. With a little help from the courts we may be fortunate to keep him for a while.
Now if we can find a defensive coordinator with an attacking style...especially on third and long!
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 63
SC has an inside track to Barkley, as with Leinart and quite a few others. Seems to be a mini pipeline as the coach of Mater Dei is a SC alum and former scholarship player. Good guy, wrong school. On a side note, ol' Rollie sure enjoyed maryjane before teaching and that's all I can say.
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 14
Milo,
Hear what you're sayin' about Mater Dei. It's on $C lockdown. But I found your last comment about "Ol' Rollie" intriguing. Who the heck is Ol' Rollie -- is it some stream of consciousness thing?
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 63
Ol' Rollie = Head Coach Bruce Rollinson. He played for $C way back in the day. He was an athlete (WR/RB) with 9.2 in the 100 yard dash. The legend goes, first play of his SC career he's on special teams on the opening kick-off...blows out his knees. Never was the same.
Any way, Rollinson was my home room teacher for a year and track coach for a year. He came in many a morning with a crazy smile and super red eyes...way before he became head coach. Funny guy.
Once we had to sell candy for a fundraiser with an imposed quota. Our home-room was full of the slackers and jokers and of course we didn't meet the quota...so the vice principal comes in and rips us a new one. Tells us if we don't sell our quota we're coming in on the weekend and scrub the locker room shower with toothbrushes...then leaves.
Rollinson looks at us and says "looks like we're in trouble guys, what are we going to do?" (there's no response) He then says, "pass around the hat or we're coming in". So money starts flying. Then someone asks, "so who gets the candy?" Rollinson says, "you bought it". So there's literally a huge dog pile and grab-ass for all candy...and Ol'Rollie is just grinning and counting the money. We weren't very smart.
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 21
>>His schools of interest are Cal and Nebraska (which has offered).<<
Seems like an easy choice, if its between these two. Maybe Tedford will get his QB-building mojo back by then (we can dream, can't we?)
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 67
Update on Garrett Gilbert::::
Rivals has re-rated him as a five star prospect, one of the top 12 prospects in the country. He now has three offers (Nebraska, Texas A&M, and Texas Tech).
Rivals even has a brief video of Gilbert in action on this web page:
http://footballrecruiting.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=768064
At least USC hasn't offered him, yet...
Let's not forget he want to committ before his senior season... How Cal does in the fall will not matter. How Cal does in the Spring and early Summer recruiting will be key, Time to start the bandwagon rolling.
-sp4149
Edited 1/30/2008 6:41 pm ET by sp4149
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 55
Dang, This kid is looking very good on video hosted by scouts.com.
He really played like a pro. And, he can get out of pocket like Kevin Riley. And, he can thow down 50 yards.
JT. Grab him now.
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 55
This Kid accumulated more than 5200 yards passing and running, and had 58 TDs as a Junior. That is an unbelievable record. Now, I really hope JT offers him quick and he is willing to come to Cal. That is all I am wishing.
Go Bears!
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 55
Garrett Gilbert is staying home and committed to the U of Texas.
http://texas.scout.com/2/727515.html
Dang, Cal has just lost a jewel.
Edited 2/9/2008 4:55 am ET by toparchitect
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 67
So disappointing. Maybe Andy Bark told the Cal staff that Gilbert was going to be a Longhorn so they didn't push. The articles don't even mention his dad or that he had considered Cal; although they included Arizona and Stanford as having offered.
UT is known as starting recruiting early and trying to get their recruits committed before their senior year. UCLA has emulated them and it worked well as they had an excellent early recruiting class that stayed committed even with a coaching change. That success has forced USC to recruit earlier to keep the best California recruits going to USC. So far USC has EIGHT verbals for 2009. A couple of them are following in their dad's footsteps in committing to USC. All eight are from California so SC will again probably have the best slate of recruits from the state. Cal has one out of state verbal.
Seems there will be increased effort to have an early signing period before the season, like in basketball. Hopefully the prospect can void the LOI if there is a coaching change. Texas has two Junior days in February when they get high school juniors on campus and offer the best. The second coincides with their spring footbal practice.
Cal's recruit page doesn't show much about events for high school prospects; some highlights from the 2005 season, the web pages for the 2008 football camps list coaches who have left. Spring practice starts March 17th, three weeks after Texas hosts their second Junior day for prospects during their Spring practice.
Does, or should, Cal have a Junior Day to start early recruiting?
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 14
"Junior Day" -- an interesting issue!
Considering the loss of Garrett, maybe there are some recruiting modifications that might be considered. I do not presume to know the current recruiting marketing strategy and I would guess the "football schools" have a bit more leverage. That said, Cal might consider a "Junior Day" for forecasted needs two years hence. Or perhaps a Junior Day for local / California players and have Sandy Barbour there to address academics.
Times are a changing!
Back to the nachos, guacamole, and margeritas!
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 67
Now that the two top QB prospects with a possible interest in Cal have verballed elsewhere; it's time to look and see if there are any top prospects possibly considering Cal. The Rivals top 100 prospects for 2009 can be seen at:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/players/02/07/rivals.100/index.html
Nine of the one hundred show an interest in Cal, however three are already committed elsewhere although not shown as such on the Rivals list. Four of the remaining six do not show on Scout.com as having an interest in Cal. Overall the group of prospects with an initial interest in Cal does not seem as strong as the 2008 group, especially after Gilbert verballed to Texas last week. Some good running backs, but not as fast as last year's early prospects.
USC has a number of verbals on the list, and UCLA is also well represented. Prospects listed Stanford ten times, Oregon nine times and ASU six times. Oregon State got several mentions as well.
Who should Cal target next? There is a Defensive End in Phoenix that Had more than 100 tackles and two dozen sacks last year.
Devon Kennard ***** 6'4" 238 pounds. Sounds like the type of player Cal could use next year. He is interested in all the PAC-10 schoold except CAL,UCLA and WSU.
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 67
Not any news to speak of about new verbals to Cal. Scout.com just lists a few offers made by Cal, now including Devon Kennard (offered by nine Pac-10 schools, plus Oklahoma and Texas) and Cierre Wood, possibly the number one West coast RB. Looking at some of the recruiting rivals, UCLA has only one verbal so far; a slower start for them than in year's past. On the opposite side USC already has nine verbals for 2009 and Texas, who some feel started this trend has seven verbals including Garrett Gilbert. USC and Texas are getting local kids, all of their verbals are in-state, out-of area recruiters will have to be content with remaining prospects. Stanford is the only Pac-10 school other than USC with more than one verbal at this time (they have two).
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 137
JKO:
Cal has hosted Junior Day's in the past, usually in April.
Additionally, of course they make a contacts through Tedford/Cal Camps. I honestly don't know if there is a coach with the title of Recruiting Coordinator on staff of not. Bottom line, it's the position coaches and head coach who make the most impact in recruiting.
Cal has done well enough under Tedford that they should continue to see success in the receruiting arena. Whether or not they ever get to the $C/Notre Dame level of recruiting remains to be seen. Based solely on recruiting, schools like that should be contending for the National Championship EVERY season.
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 55
Jan:
I looked at that kid (Garrett) not because of Rivals 's stars. I can careless of that. But, I looked at his junior passing TDs and Running TDs record, it went thru. the roof. From looking at the film, this kid has the potential to be a star in college and in the pro.
On top of what that article mentions of coaches, strength of schedule, Luck, I will say keeping healthy is an important factor too, many case before that an important starting QB got injury can devastating the entire season, like Oregon and Cal last year.
TA
Edited 2/12/2008 7:36 pm ET by toparchitect
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 72
Hey TA,
I don't know if you got my post, b/c some Commie Liberal at the CC times deleted all of my post. There's no love for me from the CC times Moderator. I'm so heart broken! For all the vulgarity and personal attacks on here, everyone should be banned. Talkin about inconsistancy! Now, I know why the CC times has a prison like fence around their compound. To keep in all of the liberal nutjobs inside and out of sight.
At any rate, I had posted that Riley and Mansion had impressive numbers in high school as well. You can find their stats at the official website, calbears.com, in their player profiles. We don't have to dream about players who could have been, but Players who wear the Blue and Gold for us!
GO YOU BEARS! This Cheerleader ain't go nowhere!
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 28
Jankoski-- As you probably know by now the Times changed their forums format. That may have been what knocked out your recent post. I had put a 30 day voting period on one of my polls (Top 25 Rating?) but it got closed after only about three days. I think it was probably a technical glitch in your case. Hopefully the regulars to the Cal forum will get re-registered and start posting again. It looks like not much has happened the last couple of days. Actually, things will probably be pretty slow for awhile until Spring Practice gets going. Maybe we will get some good good new regarding the lawsuits pretty soon.
GO BEARS!
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 72
I wish you were right, but I've been censored! I contribute to several parts of this forum, and none of my post are present. I guess I pissed off too many liberals who put me on ignore, or the CC times Moderator was tired of getting violation emails from me about vulgarity and personal attacks on here. Either way, I doubt this forum will attract readers or posters with this new format that favors the avatar and waste so much space as if this is a comments forum, not a discussion forum. Plus, the visuals just plan stink.
On chatter, there's tons of discussions over at Scout.com to join for free as well. This latest venture of the CC times has encouraged me to take my chatter there.
GO YOU BEARS!
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 67
As the Spring Practice and Recruiting season is well under way, perhaps it is time to post an update about relative progress toward recruiting the 2009 class of high school players.
SC is the runaway leader in the PAC-10, they are making a strong early effort this year. Cal has made 10 offers with 1 Verbal, USC has made 36 offers with 10 Verbals. Breakdown follows showing where each school is aiming it's efforts.
SC : One 5 star Verbal EIGHT 5 star offers SIX 4 star Verbals Eleven 4 star offers Three 3 star Verbals SIX 6 star offers One 1 star offer Totals, 10 Verbals, 36 offers extended
CAL : two 5 star offers three 4 star offers three 3 star offers one 1 star verbal one 1 star offer Totals, 1 Verbal, 10 offers extended
A telling stat: USC has made offers to 26 four and five star prospects, Cal only five. Cal and other PAC-10 schools must be at a recruiting disavantage when they offer after USC, especially for prospects from California. Last year most California prospects stayed with the schools that showed them early love. -sp4149