Cal’s 2012 4-Star Recruits: WR

Some rodent in Pennsylvania is predicting six more weeks ofwinter. For some Cal fans, spring can’t come soon enough after a potentialtop-10 (or even top-5) class lost nearly a dozen potential players and was rankedas low as 50th by Scout yesterday. But a late rebound kept Cal in the top 25 ofboth ESPN and Rivals. And Cal’s class is still filling up, with LOI’s coming ineven today, and more possibly on the way in the next week. 

It is likely, though, that the Bears are done taking WR’sand QB’s. Stefon Diggs, a 5-star wideout/ athlete, is still in play, but he last visited Berkeley in early December,and it is unknown whether he still has interest post-Lupoi/Kiesau. Within thenext week, he will probably visit his home-state school, Maryland, and willdecide next Friday (2/10).

Nevertheless, the wide receivers and quarterback defineCal’s 2012 class. They comprise four of the six four-star signees (the othersare massive 6’8″ OL Freddie Tagaloa and LB Michael Barton, who some call anatural successor to Mychal Kendricks), and are probably the key to re-creatinga top offense in Berkeley. And while QB Zach Kline has (deservedly) constantly beenpraised, the receivers from this class (along with Maurice Harris from 2011) willplay a key role in his success.

What stands out about the 2012 Cal receivers is the heightof Kenny Lawler (6-3) and Darius Powe (6-2). Marvin Jones, unfortunately, isgone (hopefully to the NFL, since he excelled during Senior Bowl week andcaught a TD in the game itself). Having the 6-3 Jones paired with the equallytall Keenan Allen made Zach Maynard’s life easier. Powe and Lawler together,although not as athletic as Allen, would make a great tandem even when Keenaninevitably leaves for the NFL. An especially encouraging sign is that Lawlerlikes blocking, as shown in the 2nd half of this highlight reel.

Not everyone can be Keenan Allen and be 6-foot-2-plus and runa low 4.4, and both look like they have the ability to consistently generateyards after the catch. Powe also had several highlights where he blew pasteveryone on the opposing team.

Cedric Dozier and Bryce Treggs are clearly thespeed-oriented receivers in this class. About the same height (5-11) as DeSeanJackson and Lavelle Hawkins, they constantly shredded opposing high-schooldefenses.

Dozier mighthave been the centerpiece of Mike Leach’s new passing attack at WashingtonState, but chose to leave his home state and come to Cal. He possesses great down-fieldvision (he played some QB , which is why he is listed as an athlete).

What sets Bryce Treggs apart from the rest of the 2012 Calreceivers (and earned him a 5-star rating from Scout) is that he excelled as afeatured player on one of the best teams in California (St. John Bosco). Treggs’ highlights came against topcompetition, but he still looks like one of the best players on the field inmany of them, with his speed and agility. Look for him to be used the way Allencurrently is: even short screens or reverses could go the distance.

Treggs is a Cal legacy (his father, Brian, played in the early 90’s),and was one of the biggest unofficial Cal recruiters this cycle (along withcurrent DB Avery Sebastian).   He and theother “True Blues” of this and previous classes are what the programneeds as the 2013 cycle gears up and the roller-coaster ride starts again.