Cal Football Recruiting: Busts and Gems (Part II: 2004)

(Note: This article is a response to Justin Hokanson's excellent article on star values in recruiting).

 

Recruiting is always somewhat hit-and-miss. Some prime-time recruits blossom immediately, while others fail to make an impact.  Conversely, some players that are virtually ignored during recruiting can sometimes put up great numbers.

Here are some examples from recent Cal recruiting classes. Part II will discuss the 2004 recruting class.

Offense: 

Hidden Gems:

• RB Justin Forsett (two-star, No. 92 RB, Scout.com, Chose Cal over Utah, San Jose State, UConn). Notre Dame pulled Forsett's scholarship, and Texas thought he was too small to be effective. Despite being a backup for three years (see Marshawn Lynch, below), Forsett rushed for over 3,000 yards at Cal, averaging 5.7 yards per carry. 
• C Alex Mack (two-star, Scout.com, Cal was only siginificant offer). Mack was all-Pac 10 in 2006 and 2007, and is on preseason watch lists for three national awards.  Cal ranks third in the nation in sacks allowed since he began starting games in 2006, thanks also Mike Tepper, another two-star OL from this class.
• WR Robert Jordan (two-star, No. 102 WR, Scout.com, Chose Cal over Arizona, Oregon). Honorable-mention all-Pac 10 despite playing next to DeSean Jackson and Lavelle Hawkins.
  

Major Busts: RB Sekeli Faaeteete (No. 12 RB, Scout.com, Chose Cal over, USC, UCLA, Oregon). Didn't qualify academically out of high school, any Cal fans know what happened to him?

Players that lived up to the hype:

• QB Nate Longshore (four-star, No. 17 QB, Scout.com, Chose Cal over BYU, Colorado). The second half of last season was of course very painful to watch, as was the Tennessee game in 2006, but overall Longshore has been solid. Threw for 3,000 yards in 2006, and was 5-0 with wins vs. Tennesse and at Oregon before his injury in 2007.  The 2008 season will probably determine his legacy at Cal.
• RB Marshawn Lynch (four-star, No. 16 RB, Scout.com, No. 2 RB (behind Adrian Peterson), Rivals.com, Chose Cal over Oregon, Washington State, Kansas State). Averaged 6.6 yards per carry for his career at Cal, and gained over 3,300 yards in three years. Beast Mode! Was a first-round pick in the 2007 NFL draft.

 

Jury's still out: None

 

Defense:

Gems: None

Major Busts:

• DE Phillip Mbakogu (No. 6 DE, Scout.com, Chose Cal over LSU, Notre Dame, and Oregon). Unfortunately, Mbakogu had huge problems with knee injuries, ruining a promising Cal career.
• Virdell Larkins (No. 18 CB, Scout.com, Chose Cal over Oregon, Washington State). Larkins ended up at JC, then at Idaho.
  

 

Players that lived up to the hype: LB Worrell Williams (No. 22 LB, Scout.com, Chose Cal over Miami (FL)). Williams is a pre-season all-American candidate, and his hit in the opening minute of the Tennessee game in 2007 set the tone for an important Cal win.

 

Jury's still out: None

 

The 2004 class was a huge class for Cal, but as the 2005 class showed, the hype a player receives is not always a good indication of performance at the D-I level.

 

Please comment with the major surprises and disappointments from your alma mater/ favorite team.