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Cal Football

Ballungay Makes it 14 For Cal

June 28, 2019
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6-6/235 Kimball (Tracy, CA) High School tight end Kaleo Ballungay has long had the Bears high on his list of favorites and with today’s announcement, the 3 star tight end made things official with Cal with his commitment to the Bears.

“I really like the relationship I have with the coaching staff and how I’m going to fit into the offense,” said Ballungay. “I feel like the relationship’s always been there with the coaches and I feel really  comfortable there. When I went to visit, it really felt like home.

“It’s close to home so all my friends and family can come to see me play. That’s important.”

The Bears like Ballungay’s combination of size and versatility, giving them the dual threat of an inline tight end who can take on blockers or split out to create mismatches as a receiver.

“Coach Baldwin says I’m a big target and he can’t wait to call some plays my way in the future,” said Ballungay.

“I still have a big frame to go into. I’m at 235 right now and I can see myself adding another 25 pounds and maintain my speed. I ran a 4.92 at camp and I’ll continue to work on my speed and my craft.”

“Kaleo’s a huge target and has great hands,” said Kimball head coach Mike Kuhnlenz. “His blocking is awesome. He’s one of those guys where you can spread him out in the slot or bring him in as a tight end and you can go from 10 to 11 personnel without taking him off the field, depending on what the defense does.

“He’s just a really great athlete. He moves well for a big guy. And as a person, he’s a very, very great young man. Cal’s super-lucky to get him. I wish I had him for another four years. He’s a little shy at first but once you get to know him, he’s a goofball, in a good way. Just really fun to be around.

“He’s just a really good kid. Very respectful. Very coachable. If he makes a mistake in a game, I’d get on him. Some kids shut down but he’ll just look you in the eye and say, ‘Okay, coach. I’ll make the play next time.’ And he does.

“Just a really good kid with great character and his work ethic is through the roof. His grades are great, too. When you’re coaching football, you wish you could have 11 Kaleo’s on the field. He’s a great leader. His teammates respect him.

“Cal’s getting a great addition in Kaleo. I’m excited what this year holds for him, especially now that he’s followed his dream in committing to Cal and can focus on his senior season.”

As a junior, Ballungay hauled in 20 passes for 464 yards and five touchdowns for Kimball.

Ballungay had offers from Oregon State, Kansas State, San Diego State and more, as well as fellow academic powerhouse, Yale.

Ballungay makes the 14th commitment for the Bears, joining fellow tight end Jake Muller, receivers Casey Filkins, Jeremiah Hunter and Tommy Christakos, running back Chris Street, QB Zach Johnson and offensive linemen Everett Johnson and Ender Aguilar on the offensive side of the ball.

Additional recruiting stories:

Butler Opts to Stay Local With Commitment to Cal

Mestidor Likes What he Sees on West Coast

 

Discussion from...

Ballungay Makes it 14 For Cal

23,385 Views | 32 Replies | Last: 5 yr ago by heartofthebear
NYCGOBEARS
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1:12p, 6/28/19
This is fantastic. Go Bears!
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NVBear78
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3:01p, 6/28/19
Great addition to the Cal family!
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burritos
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3:16p, 6/28/19
Dang he looks really tall.
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91Cal
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3:20p, 6/28/19
Welcome to the family! Go Bears!!!
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Cal Junkie
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3:41p, 6/28/19
I really like him. I do hope he can drop that 4.92 40 time under 4.7.
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Sebastabear
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3:48p, 6/28/19
Terrific. Stanford's monopoly on monster tight ends is over. Really looking forward to giving them a taste of their own medicine.
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GivemTheAxe
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In reply to NYCGOBEARS • 3:54p, 6/28/19
NYCGOBEARS said:
This is fantastic. Go Bears!

Another GREAT recruit for the Offense.
He doesn't need blazing fast speed to get open and have great YAC when he is 6-6 has good hands nifty moves and can blow throug tacklers.
Just what Dr Baldwin ordered
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Golden One
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In reply to GivemTheAxe • 4:31p, 6/28/19
GivemTheAxe said:
NYCGOBEARS said:
This is fantastic. Go Bears!

Another GREAT recruit for the Offense.
He doesn't need blazing fast speed to get open and have great YAC when he is 6-6 has good hands nifty moves and can blow throug tacklers.
Just what Dr Baldwin ordered
I'm hoping Dr. Baldwin knows how to use him effectively.
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Another Bear
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4:45p, 6/28/19
Big Pinoy Brother in the house. Nice get.
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NYCGOBEARS
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In reply to Another Bear • 4:47p, 6/28/19
Another Bear said:
Big Pinoy Brother in the house. Nice get.

That is one big Pinoy.
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Another Bear
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In reply to NYCGOBEARS • 4:57p, 6/28/19
NYCGOBEARS said:
Another Bear said:
Big Pinoy Brother in the house. Nice get.

That is one big Pinoy.
He's gonna fill out too. Still looks like a sophomore in HS.
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71Bear
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In reply to Another Bear • 7:09p, 6/28/19
Another Bear said:
NYCGOBEARS said:
Another Bear said:
Big Pinoy Brother in the house. Nice get.

That is one big Pinoy.
He's gonna fill out too. Still looks like a sophomore in HS.
Hope so. He looks like a string bean. He needs to put on 30 lbs. give or take without losing any quickness....
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Bear19
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7:13p, 6/28/19
I knew it would take several years for Willcox et al to get recruiting up to where it should be. As Cal continues to win, recruiting classes will get better & better under Coach Wilcox.
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GivemTheAxe
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In reply to Golden One • 8:56p, 6/28/19
Golden One said:
GivemTheAxe said:
NYCGOBEARS said:
This is fantastic. Go Bears!

Another GREAT recruit for the Offense.
He doesn't need blazing fast speed to get open and have great YAC when he is 6-6 has good hands nifty moves and can blow throug tacklers.
Just what Dr Baldwin ordered
I'm hoping Dr. Baldwin knows how to use him effectively.

I have been willing to cut Baldwin some slack since in my opinion he has not had the players who can execute his plays. (Many times I could see that Baldwin had made the right call on the play but the OLine missed a critical block, or the RB failed to hit the hole on time, or the WR or TE dropped the catch, or the QB failed to make the throw).
But with the players we are now recruiting I expect performance on the Offensive side of the ball.
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heartofthebear
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9:09p, 6/28/19
Getting guys like this is an omen that things are changing.
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calbear80
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In reply to Another Bear • 10:28p, 6/28/19
Another Bear said:
Big Pinoy Brother in the house. Nice get.


Is he Pilipino? If yes, I like it. I would have never thought because he is 6'-6".

Go Bears!
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MoragaBear
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In reply to calbear80 • 11:20p, 6/28/19
Staff
Filipino and white
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bonsallbear
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9:44a, 6/29/19
14 committed at this stage. Has this happened before?
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71Bear
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In reply to bonsallbear • 10:26a, 6/29/19
bonsallbear said:
14 committed at this stage. Has this happened before?
The recruiting calendar changes implemented a couple years ago are the driving force behind the earlier commits across college football. Of course, the other side of the coin is the significant increase in decommits. And, of course, the number of guys who change their minds after they sign is also on the rise.

Until a player actually steps on to the field during a game, a commitment is not final.......


Note: Currently, the average number of commits for the top 32 teams listed at Rivals is: 16.3 (Cal is #31).
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burritos
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In reply to bonsallbear • 11:39a, 6/29/19
bonsallbear said:
14 committed at this stage. Has this happened before?
Is there a musical chair phenomena happening?
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metabear
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In reply to 71Bear • 12:31p, 6/29/19
71Bear said:
The recruiting calendar changes implemented a couple years ago are the driving force behind the earlier commits across college football. Of course, the other side of the coin is the significant increase in decommits. And, of course, the number of guys who change their minds after they sign is also on the rise.

Until a player actually steps on to the field during a game, a commitment is not final.......
I don't really follow recruiting closely. Basic question: once a player commits how much contact can other coaches have? None?
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burritos
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In reply to metabear • 12:33p, 6/29/19
metabear said:
71Bear said:
The recruiting calendar changes implemented a couple years ago are the driving force behind the earlier commits across college football. Of course, the other side of the coin is the significant increase in decommits. And, of course, the number of guys who change their minds after they sign is also on the rise.

Until a player actually steps on to the field during a game, a commitment is not final.......
I don't really follow recruiting closely. Basic question: once a player commits how much contact can other coaches have? None?
I think coaches speak to the players as much as they'd like till signing day.
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bear2034
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In reply to GivemTheAxe • 12:53p, 6/29/19
GivemTheAxe said:
Golden One said:
GivemTheAxe said:
NYCGOBEARS said:
This is fantastic. Go Bears!

Another GREAT recruit for the Offense.
He doesn't need blazing fast speed to get open and have great YAC when he is 6-6 has good hands nifty moves and can blow throug tacklers.
Just what Dr Baldwin ordered
I'm hoping Dr. Baldwin knows how to use him effectively.

I have been willing to cut Baldwin some slack since in my opinion he has not had the players who can execute his plays. (Many times I could see that Baldwin had made the right call on the play but the OLine missed a critical block, or the RB failed to hit the hole on time, or the WR or TE dropped the catch, or the QB failed to make the throw).
But with the players we are now recruiting I expect performance on the Offensive side of the ball.
Players missing blocks and being in the wrong position, that's all on Baldwin. You mean to say at EWU, Baldwin had the right 1,2 star players?
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bearlyamazing
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In reply to bear2034 • 12:58p, 6/29/19
oskirules said:
GivemTheAxe said:
Golden One said:
GivemTheAxe said:
NYCGOBEARS said:
This is fantastic. Go Bears!

Another GREAT recruit for the Offense.
He doesn't need blazing fast speed to get open and have great YAC when he is 6-6 has good hands nifty moves and can blow throug tacklers.
Just what Dr Baldwin ordered
I'm hoping Dr. Baldwin knows how to use him effectively.

I have been willing to cut Baldwin some slack since in my opinion he has not had the players who can execute his plays. (Many times I could see that Baldwin had made the right call on the play but the OLine missed a critical block, or the RB failed to hit the hole on time, or the WR or TE dropped the catch, or the QB failed to make the throw).
But with the players we are now recruiting I expect performance on the Offensive side of the ball.
Players missing blocks and being in the wrong position, that's all on Baldwin. You mean to say at EWU, Baldwin had the right 1,2 star players?
Oo, tough guy talk.

Yeah, that's all on Baldwin. Whatever you say.
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71Bear
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In reply to bear2034 • 1:23p, 6/29/19
oskirules said:
GivemTheAxe said:
Golden One said:
GivemTheAxe said:
NYCGOBEARS said:
This is fantastic. Go Bears!

Another GREAT recruit for the Offense.
He doesn't need blazing fast speed to get open and have great YAC when he is 6-6 has good hands nifty moves and can blow throug tacklers.
Just what Dr Baldwin ordered
I'm hoping Dr. Baldwin knows how to use him effectively.

I have been willing to cut Baldwin some slack since in my opinion he has not had the players who can execute his plays. (Many times I could see that Baldwin had made the right call on the play but the OLine missed a critical block, or the RB failed to hit the hole on time, or the WR or TE dropped the catch, or the QB failed to make the throw).
But with the players we are now recruiting I expect performance on the Offensive side of the ball.
Players missing blocks and being in the wrong position, that's all on Baldwin. You mean to say at EWU, Baldwin had the right 1,2 star players?
LOL. I know you are being sarcastic. If not, is it possible that Cal is behind the curve not because of coaching but because they are not using robots programmed to never make a mistake?
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oski003
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In reply to bear2034 • 3:04p, 6/29/19
oskirules said:
GivemTheAxe said:
Golden One said:
GivemTheAxe said:
NYCGOBEARS said:
This is fantastic. Go Bears!

Another GREAT recruit for the Offense.
He doesn't need blazing fast speed to get open and have great YAC when he is 6-6 has good hands nifty moves and can blow throug tacklers.
Just what Dr Baldwin ordered
I'm hoping Dr. Baldwin knows how to use him effectively.

I have been willing to cut Baldwin some slack since in my opinion he has not had the players who can execute his plays. (Many times I could see that Baldwin had made the right call on the play but the OLine missed a critical block, or the RB failed to hit the hole on time, or the WR or TE dropped the catch, or the QB failed to make the throw).
But with the players we are now recruiting I expect performance on the Offensive side of the ball.
Players missing blocks and being in the wrong position, that's all on Baldwin. You mean to say at EWU, Baldwin had the right 1,2 star players?


This is a comittment thread you ****ing ****, not some dumpster for you to spread your pig vomit.
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NYCGOBEARS
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In reply to oski003 • 3:06p, 6/29/19
oski003 said:
oskirules said:
GivemTheAxe said:
Golden One said:
GivemTheAxe said:
NYCGOBEARS said:
This is fantastic. Go Bears!

Another GREAT recruit for the Offense.
He doesn't need blazing fast speed to get open and have great YAC when he is 6-6 has good hands nifty moves and can blow throug tacklers.
Just what Dr Baldwin ordered
I'm hoping Dr. Baldwin knows how to use him effectively.

I have been willing to cut Baldwin some slack since in my opinion he has not had the players who can execute his plays. (Many times I could see that Baldwin had made the right call on the play but the OLine missed a critical block, or the RB failed to hit the hole on time, or the WR or TE dropped the catch, or the QB failed to make the throw).
But with the players we are now recruiting I expect performance on the Offensive side of the ball.
Players missing blocks and being in the wrong position, that's all on Baldwin. You mean to say at EWU, Baldwin had the right 1,2 star players?


This is a comittment thread you ****ing ****, not some dumpster for you to spread your pig vomit.

Damn, bro...
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KenBurnski
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3:13p, 6/29/19
Things were going so well! Almost hit page 2 without seeing some **** **** ****
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FuzzyWuzzy
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In reply to Cal Junkie • 10:41p, 6/30/19
Cal Junkie said:
I really like him. I do hope he can drop that 4.92 40 time under 4.7.
Under 4.8 is plenty fast enough for a 6-6 college tight end. I think we get gaslighted by all the self-reported 4.4s that are mostly wishful thinking.
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FuzzyWuzzy
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In reply to 71Bear • 10:51p, 6/30/19
71Bear said:
Another Bear said:
NYCGOBEARS said:
Another Bear said:
Big Pinoy Brother in the house. Nice get.

That is one big Pinoy.
He's gonna fill out too. Still looks like a sophomore in HS.
Hope so. He looks like a string bean. He needs to put on 30 lbs. give or take without losing any quickness....

But he's only 17. Remember how hard it was to put on weight at that age? Watch his highlight tape and look how well he moves and catches the ball. He is going to seriously mismatch those under-6' safeties. And with that frame and those feet you could see him succeeding at any number of positions from TE to OLB to LT. I just hope he has a competitive streak.
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Fyght4Cal
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11:38a, 7/1/19
Welcome, Kaleo! Just what we need, A big (really big) possession receiver. Nice, nice hands. Good route running. Can't wait to see our continued growth at TE.
Patience is a virtue, but I’m not into virtue signaling these days.
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heartofthebear
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In reply to bonsallbear • 9:58p, 7/1/19
bonsallbear said:
14 committed at this stage. Has this happened before?
I can't remember a flurry of commits this early in the year before.
I think we only had 1 in April and 14 guys have committed in 2 months.
We've had that kind of activity in December and January but I can't recall this happening in June.
It means Cal is going to have to hold onto these guys for 5 months.

It also raises the question as to how many scholies are left for this year.
I seem to recall that we had about 26 openings, or was that last season?

In any case, I think we are set at RB, TE and LB. We are also OK at WR (though I'd never say that) and OL. We could really use an additional QB, some more DL and especially some more DBs (especially safety).

I suppose the depth at RB, TE and LB will help our STs.
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