Barth's Commitment Keeps Cal Football Recruiting on a Roll

Cal football's 2021 recruiting class grew again with the third commitment in the last week and a half with today's announcement from 6-2/200 Queen Creek (Queen Creek, AZ) safety Hunter Barth‍.

As was the case with many of Cal’s commits, the Bears beat out tough competition for Barth, with the 3 star safety holding offers from USC, UCLA, Oregon, Utah, Virginia, Duke and more.

“I’m excited,” said Barth. “Cal’s a great academic school. You really can’t beat it. And I really felt comfortable with the Cal coaching staff with Coach Ragle, Coach Yates, Coach Wilcox. They really make me feel like they’ll take care of me and put me in the best position possible. And I really believe in them as coaches, too.

“You can’t beat the degree you get from Cal. I’d say the education is maybe the top reason I chose Cal.

“I love the Bay Area, too. I was there for a 7-on-7 tournament my freshman year and I went back again for camp the next year. It’s awesome there.”

Barth’s had a chance to connect already with some of Cal’s commits.

“They’re great guys and they’re all great players,” said Barth. “They all seem like good people.”

Special teams coach Charlie Ragle has helped Cal establish somewhat of a pipeline in the Arizona area under Justin Wilcox. Cal signed six players from Arizona in 2019 and added two more in 2020.

“I met Hunter last year,” said Queen Creek head coach Joe Germaine. “He came into our program at that point right as we were starting spring football. I had heard a lot of great things about him.

“He started on varsity at corner as a sophomore, but the first time I actually got my eyes on him, I was extremely impressed with how he carries himself. His demeanor, his attitude, his work ethic; he’s an unbelievable teammate and his attitude is infectious.”

Barth’s coach noted that his athletic versatility has served him well.

“He starts on both sides of the ball for us as a wide receiver and safety, and he’s played corner,” said Germaine. “I actually see him at the next level probably focusing more on the defensive side of the ball. So I could see him as a starting safety, he might even as he fills out, because of his athleticism, be an outside linebacker. He brings that physicality of a linebacker but could also walk out over a slot receiver and play coverage in space.”

“I see him being a starting player no question. I think he has the athletic ability and size to do it, but I know for sure that he has the work ethic and determination to do it.”

After missing five games due to transferring from Casteel High School, Barth collected 51 tackles, with one interception and three pass breakups on D and 21 receptions for 255 yards and two touchdowns at receiver as a junior.

Barth feels he’s jumping into the Cal program at the right time.

“I really like the trend of the program,” said Barth. “My goal is to win a Pac-12 championship and the guys in my class are coming in thinking the same way.

“I’m excited.”

Barth joins current Cal commits QB Kai Millner‍, WR Mavin Anderson‍, OT Bastian Swinney‍, TE Jermaine Terry‍, DE Akili Calhoun‍ and DB Kaleb Higgins‍ in the 2021 Cal recruiting class.

Other stories:

Los Gatos LB Will Schweitzer Talks Recruiting

Higgins Ready For the Next Step at Cal