Cal Football: Justin Wilcox Likes His 2020 Class, Will Let Others Hand Out Grades
How good is the 2020 Cal football recruiting class?
Coach Justin Wilcox is taking the long view, which is to say he likes his 25-player class but is reluctant to give it a grade. That’s because this is the start of things, not the end.
“Ranking a recruiting class is tough — they still have to grow and develop. It’s just the beginning. In terms of ranking them, I’ll leave that up to the experts.”
Both Rivals and 247Sports rate the Bears' recruiting class as the fifth-best in the Pac-12
(Click here for video and story about WR Jordan Duncan's status.)
Cal signed five wide receivers and five defensive backs. The Bears landed two quarterbacks and two wide receivers and for size on its defensive line, bringing in two 300-pounders. In the video above, Wilcox talks about 6-foot-7, 315-pound offensive lineman Everett Johnson of Turlock.
Wilcox talks in the video below about quarterbacks Jaden Casey and Zach Johnson.
The headliner is consensus four-star tight end DJ Rogers, a 6-foot-4, 230-pounder from East Catholic High in Sammamish, Wash. Rated as the No. 7 tight end in the country by 247Sports, Rogers was pursued by every Pac-12 program except Stanford and Washington, along with Alabama, Penn State, Michigan, Florida, Georgia and Notre Dame, among many others.
“DJ’s a talented kid. He’s big and athletic. He’s got a lot of tools. Fits the profile of that position,” Wilcox said. “He still has a lot to learn. But we’re excited to get him.”
Wilcox describes the talents of running backs Damien Moore and Chris Street in the video below.
As always, the competition in recruiting doesn’t end until letters of intent are signed. The Bears had to hold off rival schools chasing at least three of their commitments: outside linebacker Muelu Iosefa, wide receiver Jeremiah Hunter and Rogers.
(Click here for stories along the reruiting trail.)
Asked his approach to closing the deal, Wilcox said, “It’s just continuing to talk to them, be consistent, not reaching. It’s very competitive.”
Iosefa actually made a campus visit to USC last weekend before confirming his six-month-old commitment to the Bears.
“He’s got really good tangibles . . . good size (6-3, 220 pounds) and he’s going to get bigger even than he is. He’s already tall and strong,” Wilcox said. “You watch his athletic ability. He can run and hit and tackle. He loves football. He is a talented kid.”
RIVALS TEAM RANKINGS: 1. Clemson; 2. Ohio State; 3. Alabama; 4. LSU; 5. Georgia: Pac-12: 11. Oregon; 13. Washington; 24. Stanford; 28. UCLA; 30. Cal; 34. Colorado; 40. Arizona State; 41. Oregon State; 49. Washington State; 60. Utah; 70. Arizona; 74. USC.
247SPORTS TEAM RANKINGS: 1. Clemson; 2. Alabama; 3. Ohio State; 4. Georgia; 5. LSU; Pac-12: 14. Washington; 16. Oregon; 22. Stanford; 28. UCLA; 33. Cal; 34. Colorado; 35. Arizona State; 47. Oregon State; 50. Utah; 61. Washington State; 69. Arizona; 78. USC.
2020 CAL FOOTBALL SIGNEES
OL Ender Aguilar (6-5, 250) Anaheim, CA
Wilcox on Ender: “Ender is a very intriguing former defensive lineman who has all the tools to transition into a successful offensive lineman. He brings length, motor, toughness, and moves very well in the trenches. We are excited about getting him into the offensive line room full-time and watching him transform.”
OLB Andy Alfieri (6-2, 200) Portland, OR
Wilcox on Alfieri: “We developed a strong relationship with the Alfieri’s while we were scouting Andy’s older brother, Joey. Andy is a big, physical linebacker who will play hard every snap. He enjoys contact and showed good speed and burst while playing on both sides of the ball for Jesuit.”
WR Justin Baker (5-10, 175) Burien, CA
Wilcox on Baker: “Justin brings excellent overall athleticism to the table. He has the talent to move around the field and has proven himself at wide receiver, running back and defensive back, as well as a returner along the way. He’s also an outstanding person who our fans will enjoy getting to know.”
CB Dejuan Butler-x (5-11, 163) Antioch, CA
Wilcox on Butler: “Dejuan is a smooth, versatile defensive back who we are excited about. The Antioch coaches moved him all around the field and put him anywhere they thought he could make an impact. He’s a tough kid who will come downhill and tackle well. It’s important to keep players like Dejuan home in the area and we are excited we did.”
QB Jaden Casey-x (6-1, 185) Calabasas, CA
Wilcox on Casey: “Jaden will arrive as a mid-year enrollee and we are very excited to have him. He’s an athletic passer with a versatile skill set and can distribute the ball all around the field. He’s accurate, mobile, and can throw from different angles and platforms. He has a point guard feel when he’s out there.”
TE/WR Tommy Christakos (6-4, 215) Scottsdale, AZ
Wilcox on Christakos: “We wanted to add some big targets to our offense and Tommy certainly fits the bill. He’s a very big receiver who catches the ball extremely well and will add value to the unit. He also possesses a powerful kicking leg and can help us on special teams. True two-position players are hard to come by and we’re excited we’ll have one here.”
DT Ricky Correia (6-4, 330) Fresno, CA
Wilcox on Correia: “Ricky is a massive defender who had a big senior season while helping lead his team to a state championship. He moves well despite his rare size and has the ability to dominate in the trenches. You don’t find many people who can move like him and he really stands out when he’s chasing to the ball. Ricky will be a great addition.”
CB Collin Gamble (5-10, 185) Argyle, TX
Wilcox on Gamble: “Collin is a talented player from Texas who did a little of everything for his team. He’s a fluid athlete with very good quickness and shows his toughness in run support. He’s going to fit in well with what we’ve been building in our defensive backs’ room and should also contribute as a returner for our special team
WR Jeremiah Hunter (6-2, 177) Fresno, CA
Wilcox on Hunter: "We’ve really enjoyed getting to know Jeremiah. He has an outstanding future ahead of him. Jeremiah was a dominant wide receiver and helped lead his team to a 15-0 record and 15 0 state title. He has a knack for big plays and tallied over 50 touchdowns during his career. He’s athletic, productive, and will be hungry from day one.”
OLB Muelu Iosefa-x (6-3, 220) Mililani, HI
Wilcox on Iosefa: “Muelu has the tools to contribute early for us and will be an excellent addition to our team. He is talented with a unique combination of size and athleticism and will be fun to watch develop. Muelu contributed often in pass coverage for Mililani but also has impressive run stopping skills that will be valuable for us at inside linebacker.”
OT Everett Johnson-x (6-7, 315) Turlock, CA
Wilcox on Johnson: “We have been excited about Everett for years now, since he verbally committed to us as a sophomore. He has rare size, excels in the classroom, and has all the tools to be a great player for us.”
QB Zach Johnson (6-1, 185) Newhall, CA
Wilcox on Johnson: “Zach is an accurate passer with a mature, steady presence both on and off the field. He has a quick release, can produce from both the pocket and when throwing on the move, and shows off his playmaking skills when the play breaks down. He was impressive when we saw him throw live and that carries a lot of weight.”
WR Aidan Lee (6-2, 205) Mesa, AZ
Wilcox on Lee: “Aidan is a strong, sturdy wide receiver who has shown the physical tools our coaches want to work with. We were impressed watching him develop and ascend as a wide receiver while his team transitioned from a run-oriented scheme to one that put more emphasis on the passing game.”
WR Mason Mangum-x (6-0, 175) Austin, TX
Wilcox on Mangum: “Mason was an extremely productive receiver at a powerhouse Texas high school program and represents the ultimate student-athlete. He excels in the classroom while also showing excellent athleticism, ball skills, and competitiveness on the field. Mason also has a successful track and field resume and if you want to get a taste for his athleticism, just watch him dunk a basketball.”
DT Stanley McKenzie (6-2, 275) Honolulu, HI
Wilcox on McKenzie: “Stanley is a huge body defensive lineman who displays the power and athleticism to disrupt in the trenches. He contributed for one of the best high school teams in the country and will arrive knowing how to work and compete. Stanley also grew up playing baseball and it shows in his coordination and hand quickness.”
CB Tyson McWilliams (6-3, 175) San Diego, CA
Wilcox on McWilliams: “We are excited about adding Tyson. He has experience as a wide receiver and fits the mold of a long, rangy athlete with a bright future as a full-time corner. He has outstanding ball skills and length and moves very well. Tyson has a high ceiling and I’m looking forward to seeing him after he spends time with coach Becton and our strength and conditioning staff.”
RB Damien Moore (5-10, 185) La Puente, CA
Wilcox on Moore: “Damien impressed us with his ability to overcome adversity after missing most of the 2018 season. He played well as a sophomore and even better as a senior. He’s a talented runner with natural vision and power. He’s always getting positive yards and that’s a great skill to add to our running back room.”
TE Jake Muller (6-5, 220) Mission Viejo, CA
Wilcox on Muller: “Jake is a long, athletic tight end with a lot of upside. He had a very strong senior season. He has a basketball background and impressed us with his smooth movement skills and pass catching ability. He also has big hands and showed he can make the difficult one-handed catches.”
DB Trey Paster-x (6-3, 190) Merced, CA
Wilcox on Paster: “Trey is a big, athletic defensive back. He’s a smooth-moving player who was also productive on offense when they put the ball in his hands. As good as he is as a player, it’s also worth noting that he’s an outstanding person with a great personality and was a bit of the ring leader for this recruiting class.”
OL/DT Jaedon Roberts-x (6-3, 280) Avon, CT
Wilcox on Roberts: “Jaedon brings versatility, size and power to the table. He’s a great looking prospect who has experience on both sides of the ball. He has strong local ties and we maintained a relationship with him while he attended Avon Old Farms. Jaedon has tremendous upside and it will be exciting to watch him ascend.”
TE DJ Rogers (6-4, 230) Sammamish, WA
Wilcox on Rogers: “DJ is the type of player who could have an early impact in the conference. He has size, athleticism, and football intelligence to excel as a pass catcher. DJ has big aspirations for himself and the team, and we are excited about doing everything we can to help him reach his potential.”
DE Ethan Saunders (6-3, 275) Perris, CA
Wilcox on Saunders: “Ethan is a fluid, big body defensive lineman with excellent athleticism who would fit in well with any defensive scheme. He’s a great player who was extremely productive as a senior and is still just scratching the surface of what he can grow into as both a pass rusher and run defender.”
P Jamieson Sheahan-x (6-0, 180) Melbourne, Australia
Wilcox on Sheahan: “Jamieson is a former Australian Rules football player who we are excited to have punt for us. He started developing his kicking skills at a young age and went on to play at a high level. We got a chance to spend time with him during his official visit and he’s a first-class person and the type of student-athlete we aspire to have here.”
RB Chris Street (5-9, 195) San Juan Capistrano, CA
Wilcox on Street: “Chris is a natural, sudden runner with instincts and awareness for the position. He’s explosive with quick, light feet and runs with good toughness. He understands what it takes to compete at a high level and will bring a jolt of electricity when he arrives.”
CB Isaiah Young-x (5-10, 160) Eastvale, CA
Wilcox on Young: “Isaiah was one of the first commits of this class and we were extremely happy to get him. He’s a quick, sudden corner with very good toughness and should excel as a nickel for us. He has great hips and feet and tackles well. He is very serious about his game and will prepare like a pro from day one.”
x-indicates will enroll mid-year and be available for 2020 spring practice
