Cal's Early Commits

After a recruiting weekend that at least one journo called "massive," Cal's 2020 recruiting class growing from two commits to five. It's the middle of May. Justin Wilcox and the coaching staff welcomed several recruiting targets to Berkeley last weekend. Portland Jesuit linebacker Andy Alfieri and receivers Casey Filkins from Lake Oswego (Ore.) and Jeremiah Hunter from Fresno Central East made verbal commitments to the Golden Bears.

Andy Alfieri chose Cal over Oregon, Oregon State and Utah. It's great to see a Cal recruit choose Berkeley over staying in their home state. Especially when that state is Oregon. It's usually the other way around. Alfieri is Oregon's top ranked recruit and #24 ranked linebacker nationally. Casey Filkins, the reigning Oregon 6-A Offensive Player of the Year, also chose Cal over the Oregon schools. He's an intriguing prospect as he has running and receiving versatility. He rushed for 1,160 yards and 28 touchdowns with another 866 yards receiving and nine touchdowns. That's quite productive. Apparently, the current plan is for Filkins to be used as a slot receiver that can motion into the backfield. Jeremiah Hunter was one of Cal's top receiving targets. Filkins gives the Bears versatility. At 6'2", Hunter gives them size. His offensive production exploded as a junior last season. 94 receptions, 1,534 yards and 28 TDs.

Again, the three players boost Cal's 2020 commit list to five. In May.

Everett Johnson, OT, 6-7.5 287, Turlock (Turlock, CA)
Isaiah Young, CB, 5-9 156, Centennial (Corona, CA)
Andy Alfieri, LB, 6-3 220, Jesuit (Portland, OR)
Casey Filkins, WR, 5-11 190, Lake Oswego Senior (Lake Oswego, OR)
Jeremiah Hunter, WR, 6-2 178, Central East (Fresno, CA)

All are currently 3-star recruits by 247Sports.

Everett Johnson committed to Cal way back on 2/5/18. His natural size and talent potential was a reason for Cal offering a scholarship to a high school sophomore. His family's Cal background and his growing up a fan was the reason for his very early commitment.

It can't be stated enough that recruits and schools are about seven months from the early signing period and nine months from letter-of-intent day. None of these commitments are binding. A lot can happen in the next seven months. That still won't stop Cal peeps from smiling at a nice start to this recruiting cycle. It's a start that has Cal ranked third in the Pac-12.

1. Oregon: 8 commits, 6 4-stars, 2 3-stars
2. Stanford: 6 commits, 1 5-star, 4 4-stars, 1 3-star
3. Cal: 5 commits, 5 3-stars
4. Washington: 3 commits, 2 4-stars, 1 3-star
5. USC, 3 commits, 2 4-stars
6. Washington State: 4 commits, 4 3-stars
7. Arizona State: 3 commits, 1 4-star, 2 3-stars
8. UCLA: 3 commits, 1 4-star, 2 3-stars
9. Colorado: 3 commits, 3 3-stars
10. Arizona: 2 commits, 2 3-stars
11. Utah: 1 commit, 1 3-star
12. Oregon State: 1 commit, 1 3-star

It's May.