Big, fast, pass-rushing defenders have been on the mind of the University of California, with the Bears bringing in a pair of pass rush specialists this week in Cerritos College linebacker Ryan Davis as well as San Jose City College defensive end/linebacker Jerome Meadows, with Meadows' commitment coming yesterday afternoon.
"I really liked my visit," said Meadows. "The coaches and the players really accepted me. They were very helpful in showing me the things I needed to see in a school and what I needed to do to make things work out for me."
Though Meadows enjoyed his visit to Cal, he left with an offer but no commitment on his part. But when the Bear Insider caught up with Meadows, one could easily tell that the wheels were turning in Meadows' mind as he considered all that Cal had to offer.
Not long after the initial conversation and after talking with his mother, Meadows called back to excitedly announce, "I'm a Bear. I talked to Coach Thompson to let him know and he was excited. He said that I made a good decision and that I'll fit in real well with their defense.
"Then, when football's over, I'll have that Cal degree and that's huge, noted Meadows."
"Jerome's a guy who's going to have an impact both on the field and off the field," said SJCC Head Coach Carlton Conner. "He has a 3.80 GPA and is president of the BSU (Black Student Union) and a father of a young son. He's a man amongst boys. He loves to play the game and has a passion for the game. He's just a good kid to be around."
Conner has big expectations for Meadows, noting that the big DE/LB is one of the best players he's been around.
"Being in the right program, under the right tutalege, he's got the strong potential to play beyond college," said Conner. "In college, he's going to do some great things. He hasn't had a whole lot of exposure, coming from a smaller school but once people get a good look at him on the field, making plays, everyone will know how good he is. When you put his tape in, you say, 'Man, where's this kid been?'"
The 6-3/235 Meadows played primarily at outside linebacker and rush defensive end at SJCC and compiled some impressive stats, with 105 tackles, 15 1/2 sacks, 3 interceptions with one returned for a touchdown and 4 forced fumbles.
"It depended what our scheme was," said Conner of Meadows position for the Jaguars. "If we went to a 3-man rush, he went down to the d-end. When we were in our 40-front, he played the outside backer. He's a 4.6 forty guy and he's very strong in coverage, too."
"I've been playing the game since I was six years old and I go all out every play. I love to play the game and I hate to lose. I'm very competitive in everything I do, even playing a video game," said Meadows, with a laugh.
Meadows played high school ball at powerhouse program Broome High School in Spartanburg, South Carolina before enrolling to play at tiny Wingate College in Wingate, North Carolina. When it didn't work out there, he looked at playing at a local jc but a friend recommended DeAnza and San Jose City College, where Meadows eventually ended up. After sitting out a season to get his grades in order before playing for SJCC Meadows got things on track while showing his versatility for the Jags. Meadows noted that the Cal staff felt comfortable with his ability to play any of the four linebacker slots for the Bears after seeing his versatility in his game film.
Meadows was being recruited by Kansas, Oregon and Boise State along with Cal.
"There's other schools I've been looking at but none of them had the whole package like Cal with their combination of athletics and top academics," said Meadows, noting his thought process in choosing the Bears.
Meadows will sign with the Bears in the February signing period and come in for summer workouts.
