RB Depth and Recruiting
Let's take a look at the current roster:Senior: Deshawn Collins, Bradrick Shaw, Marcel Dancy (3)Junior: Christopher Brown (1)Sophomore: NoneFreshman: Chris Street, Damien Moore, DeCarlos Brooks (3))The above would say that adding two RBs in 2021 is not an issue, especially with some risk that Brown leaves early for the NFLA transfer might be more ideal than two freshmen as that would have five players fighting for snaps all freshman and sophomores. Look for Cal to assess JC and Grad Transfers as the cycle progresses. Cal is focused on four players currently, all of whom have actionable offers:Byron Cardwell , Justin Johnson , Johnathan Arceneaux and Jordan Hornbeak Cardwell will be a late decision and one where Cal likes where they sit. Don't be surprised to see the Bears take the next to commit from among the other three. Arceneaux is looking to decide within the next month. Hornbeak's timeline might be similar. Hornbeak recently had a virtual visit with the Cal Staff and Arceneaux's will happen shortly.Meanwhile, UCLA, Utah, and UW may all be done at the RB position for 2021 (save that all of them would take Cardwell as a bonus player). That's significant because those three are the only Power 5 offers other than Cal for Hornbeak and Utah is the only other remaining P5 school on Arceneaux's list. They bring different things to the table though all have the size and style to be workload backs. There's not a scat pure speed, or 3rd down back type in the mix.Arceneaux: Listed at only 185 (look for him to play at 200+ in college), he's a strongly built 5'10 and has good balance to go with a lethal cut back move and good not elite speed (ran an 11.4 100M as a sophomore). He's got a running style with darting feet and the ability to break arm tackles. Very productive with 1900 yards, however, he racked up big games against lower competition and struggled against the big boys.Hornbeak: A very well built 195+ as a HS junior, Hornbeak can lower his shoulder and break tackles though he had more of his success in the open field with decent speed and solid elusiveness. He's a run to daylight and use his ruggedness to beat you style back. Johnson: Another strongly built back, Johnson's very quick laterally, with a running style reminiscent of former Cal bear Tre Watson, albeit with a much bigger and more powerful frame. Very elusive in open space with quick feet. Not a burner but a good receiver and will break tackles. Cardwell: The national recruit with offers from Florida, LSU, Michigan, Florida State, etc is a consensus top 300 player in the 2021 class. Cardwell is the biggest of the backs at nearly 6' and 200lbs. Thick upperbody a la Chris Brown, Cardwell can run over or around defenders. Cardwell has plus acceleration and good, not elite top end speed. Capable and productive receiver out of the backfield. Only slight might be a slightly upright running motion.
2021 Offensive War Room
A look into who we see as some of the realistic offensive recruiting priorities in the 2021 recruiting class along with insight into the approach taken by the staff in their recruiting efforts
Arceneaux Pulls in Cal Offer
5-11/185 Lawndale RB Johnathan Arceneaux recovers from scary injury, talks Cal offer
Offer out to new 2021 RB
Johnathan Arceneaux The 5'10 Southern California product has flown under the radar to date with offers prior to the Bears only from Group of 5 schools (Fresno State, etc)He's a hidden gem with a tremendous upside:He continues to grow, was 5'8 as a sophomore and likely will be closer to 5'10 and 200lbs before his HS career is doneHas a can't teach cut back move that makes him terrific in space while playing with great balance and lower body strengthHe's a HS sprinter who ran in the low 11s as a sophomore last year. His junior year film shows off another gear so had the 2020 track season not been canceled, likely would have hit the high 10sWhy a sleeper? His HS program does not play top flight competition, so take his film with a boulder of salt. His production was very uneven with huge games (450 yards rushing one game) against weaker foes and virtually no production against some of the better teams. His HS team was not great but their record includes multiple games they were forced to forfeit for an ineligible player. His measurables after his Sophomore year were just okay, not special and he wasn't a fixture at the 7v7 competitions or recruiting camps. We're really high on this prospect. He's a natural runner that seems to be growing into his body and athleticism. His vision, the wicked jump cut against the grain and his strength and balance are a set of skills that are rare in HS running back prospects. Would rate him as a significantly higher ceiling prospect than Stevie Rocker Jr. and on par with Byron Cardwell http://www.hudl.com/v/2C0H0R