The Desert Sun today had a front page article on a local WR, Jake Ashton, headed to Cal. As a senior in 2013, the 6-foot-4, 220-pound Ashton was arguably Xavier Prep's top two-way player, starting at wide receiver and defensive end. At Cal he'll play receiver, where he caught 43 passes for 577 yards and nine touchdowns last fall.

After the season ended, Ashton received interest from a number of Division II schools and even secured a scholarship offer from UC-Davis.
Instead he accepted an invitation to play football as a preferred walk-on this fall.

Since preferred walk-ons are not typically announced by the school; the closest thing to an announcement will be local sports stories like the one below:

http://www.desertsun.com/story/sport...p-cal/8596647/

thanks for that.

also, let's add Miramonte S Jonathan McDonald to the walk-on list for next year. nice to see them get a chance.

sp4149;842312053 said:

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The Desert Sun today had a front page article on a local WR, Jake Ashton, headed to Cal. As a senior in 2013, the 6-foot-4, 220-pound Ashton was arguably Xavier Prep's top two-way player, starting at wide receiver and defensive end. At Cal he'll play receiver, where he caught 43 passes for 577 yards and nine touchdowns last fall.

After the season ended, Ashton received interest from a number of Division II schools and even secured a scholarship offer from UC-Davis.
Instead he accepted an invitation to play football as a preferred walk-on this fall.

Since preferred walk-ons are not typically announced by the school; the closest thing to an announcement will be local sports stories like the one below:

http://www.desertsun.com/story/sport...p-cal/8596647/

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He may be two inches shorter than Whitehurst, but I hope he grows into being a better big receiver that won't quit on plays.

Why the cheap shot? Seems unnecessary.

Lately Cal preferred walk-ons have had a pretty good success rate. Current players who were preferred walk-ons include potential starters Farley (RT), S. Anderson (WR), Piatt (S), all of our PKs except Anderson. Also DB Garner and LB Bradley(?) are in the mix.

taxbear;842312071 said:

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Why the cheap shot? Seems unnecessary.

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It's my personal vendetta for Whitehurst's boneheaded move against Oregon. I admit I won't really let it ago until he really proves himself and redeems himself on the field. (assuming you're talking about my post as I don't display hybrid or threaded)

StillNoStanfurdium;842312081 said:

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It's my personal vendetta for Whitehurst's boneheaded move against Oregon. I admit I won't really let it ago until he really proves himself and redeems himself on the field. (assuming you're talking about my post as I don't display hybrid or threaded)

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I guess you're not going to give him any slack for the fact that he was totally held by the DB and the ref ignored it. I'm not excusing him, but it could explain some of why he "gave up" on the play. At least it might give enough reason to let go of it at this point?

heartofthebear;842312083 said:

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I guess you're not going to give him any slack for the fact that he was totally held by the DB and the ref ignored it. I'm not excusing him, but it could explain some of why he "gave up" on the play. At least it might give enough reason to let go of it at this point?

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If any player complains to the ref before the play is whistled dead instead of doing his best (like even TRYING to interfere with the clear interception that the DB got) then I'm going to criticize where his mind's at during the game. If every WR stopped playing when they thought they were held it'd be a wonder to see any passes completed at all given the number of routes that would just get cut short.

heartofthebear;842312083 said:

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I guess you're not going to give him any slack for the fact that he was totally held by the DB and the ref ignored it. I'm not excusing him, but it could explain some of why he "gave up" on the play. At least it might give enough reason to let go of it at this point?

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I've been thoroughly unimpressed with whitehurst from the moment I first saw him at practices. To me, he's never displayed the athleticism or ball catching ability that indicates he will be successful. And that was before the while Oregon incident.

Whitehurst is a complete bust hes not even in a rotation thats like 10 deep

This kid had already been admitted to Cal and was sold enough on the school to give up football to attend Cal even though he had a scholarship offer from UC Davis for football. His High school coaches sent the Cal staff videos and later Cal offered him preferred walk-on status so that he could join fall practice. For some preferred walk-on status is what they need for admission, Jake Ashton had already been admitted based on academics, his football talent can only be a bonus for Cal.

heartofthebear;842312072 said:

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Lately Cal preferred walk-ons have had a pretty good success rate. Current players who were preferred walk-ons include potential starters Farley (RT), S. Anderson (WR), Piatt (S), all of our PKs except Anderson. Also DB Garner and LB Bradley(?) are in the mix.

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This kid was a two way starter, also playing defensive end. The defensive end is held on every play and kids who are two way starters have less quit than those who are offensive or defensive specialists. As he matures he may grow into a tight end or defensive end body type; he's already bigger than Whitehurst even though 2 inches shorter.

StillNoStanfurdium;842312061 said:

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He may be two inches shorter than Whitehurst, but I hope he grows into being a better big receiver that won't quit on plays.

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What a sad commentary on being a Cal fan. We go 1-11, lose all our D1 games, get blAsted @ Oregon (among many games last year) and you are holding a grudge against a kid who is a bench player? Tells me all I need to know about you. Sad.

StillNoStanfurdium;842312093 said:

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If any player complains to the ref before the play is whistled dead instead of doing his best (like even TRYING to interfere with the clear interception that the DB got) then I'm going to criticize where his mind's at during the game. If every WR stopped playing when they thought they were held it'd be a wonder to see any passes completed at all given the number of routes that would just get cut short.

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Agree ... have to play until the whistle ... attack the defender, vigorously contest a possible interception.

I had hopes for a big receiver like Whitehurst but ....

if you do not have anything good to say dont say anything at all

going4roses;842312213 said:

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if you do not have anything good to say dont say anything at all

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+1

Here's a working link to the Desert Sun story ...

Jake Ashton

sp4149;842312192 said:

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This kid had already been admitted to Cal and was sold enough on the school to give up football to attend Cal even though he had a scholarship offer from UC Davis for football. His High school coaches sent the Cal staff videos and later Cal offered him preferred walk-on status so that he could join fall practice. For some preferred walk-on status is what they need for admission, Jake Ashton had already been admitted based on academics, his football talent can only be a bonus for Cal.

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Giving up a scholarship to Davis to walk-on at Cal is a big deal.
Davis would have given him a great education and he would have had a chance to play early.

:bravo Jake

:gobears:

StillNoStanfurdium;842312081 said:

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It's my personal vendetta for Whitehurst's boneheaded move against Oregon. I admit I won't really let it ago until he really proves himself and redeems himself on the field. (assuming you're talking about my post as I don't display hybrid or threaded)

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This is BS!!!!

JerseyBear;842312381 said:

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This is BS!!!!

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how so?

while I don't hold any grudges per se, seeing that play just reaffirmed my opinion that Whitehurst shouldn't have been offered to begin with. the knock was that he had average hands and was really slow. the opposing view was that he was a great end zone threat; so far, he hasn't shown to be a threat, at least not to the other team.

this is my opinion. it doesn't mean i don't root for all Cal players to do well and succeed now that they are here, but i also don't hold back criticism just BECAUSE they are Cal players. i'm sure nobody pulled their punches after seeing Maynard kiss his bicep.

To put the focus of this thread back where it belongs, welcome Jake. We're thrilled to have you. Go Bears.

Sebastabear;842312423 said:

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To put the focus of this thread back where it belongs, [SIZE="4"][COLOR="Navy"]welcome Jake[/COLOR][/SIZE]. We're thrilled to have you. Go Bears.

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+1 ... emphasis added

:gobears: