Two tight ends, Curran and Eselu, commit

Cal has added two quality tight ends to this year’s recruiting class, Skylar Curran out of Butte College in Woodland (CA) and Savai’i Eselu from Moanalua High School in Honolulu.

Curran committed last week as a relative unknown. At 6’5″/240 lbs, he can still run a 4.67 forty and is listed as a 3-star recruit by Scout. As a junior college transfer, he will have the ability to make an immediate impact next season by enrolling in spring with eligibility to play 3 years in 3. Butte is the JC where Cal found other gems like QB Aaron Rodgers and TE Garrett Cross, and hopefully Curran will live up to this great legacy as well.

Eselu committed to Cal this week, switching from an earlier commitment to Oregon in November. He is also rated 3-stars by both Scout and Rivals, and he is 6’4″/245 lbs and runs a 4.9 forty. Eselu is a solid addition to Cal’s blossoming Hawaii-Cal connection. It also appears that he is a very good student, and Cal’s academics played a big role in attracting him to the Bears over Oregon.

Storer breaks arm during practice

During practice earlier this week, fullback Byron Storer broke his arm and is expected to miss the Holiday Bowl. This is a tough loss for the team, as he has been pretty solid during the season as Marshawn Lynch‘s lead blocker. During a press conference, Jeff Tedford had this to say about Storer:

He’s been a great player for us on special teams and offense. He’s been very reliable. One of the guys that makes this team tick is him. His passion for the game and his passion for Cal football is one of the best that we have. He’s really dedicated. It’s disappointing not to have him on the offense and the special teams, but more than anything for him, not to be able to play in one final game because it does mean so much to him.

Jackson wins Return Man award

WR/PR DeSean Jackson won the 2006 Randy Moss Return Man award for nation’s top returner, the first of its kind. His 18.2 average yards per punt return and 4 returns for touchdowns this season are among the best in the nation.

4-star RB Jahvid Best commits, turning down USC/ND/more

Salesian High (Richmond, CA) star running back Jahvid Best has committed to the 2007 recruiting class, turning down offers from USC, Notre Dame, UCLA, and Oregon to play for the Bears. He is 5’10″/185 and is rated as the #11 prep running back in the nation by Rivals, also taking a place in their prestigious Rivals 100 list. Best is also described as a young man of excellent character to bring to the program.

The most striking thing about Best is his speed… he’s also a track guy who runs a 10.39 100m. That is just stupid fast and you’ll see some guys in the Olympics clock that kind of number. With Best and Shane Vereen committed to this class (also James Montgomery and Tracy Slocum from the 2006 class, aiming to fill the shoes of the current backs), the running back situation looks very bright for many years.

Hughes, Jackson AP All-Americans

In their yearly All-Americans list, the Associated Press selected Daymeion Hughes as a first-team cornerback, and DeSean Jackson as a first-team all-purpose player. Cal was the only Pac-10 team with two selections on the first team, with one player from each USC and UCLA being selected.

Pac-10 Review and Forecast

Next year looks to be an outstanding year for the Pac-10. While the Pac-10 looked rather mediocre this season and failed to meet the preseason hype of projected national rankings, the outlook for next season seems to point towards one of the most competitive for the Pac-10 in recent history. Some listed points to consider:

• Seven teams welcome back their starting quarterback (not Oregon State, Washington and Stanford). Experience at quarterback is critical for any team, but particularly in the pass-happy Pac-10.

• The top 15 rushers are all scheduled to return (though Cal junior Marshawn Lynch figures to enter the NFL draft).

• Only three of the top 10 receivers are seniors (though USC junior Dwayne Jarrett figures to enter the NFL draft).

• USC, California, Oregon and UCLA should be ranked in the 2007 preseason poll. Arizona, Arizona State and Oregon State will receive votes.

• If Lynch and Jarrett don’t return, USC quarterback John David Booty, Oregon tailback Jonathan Stewart, Cal quarterback Nate Longshore and Cal receiver wide receiver DeSean Jackson will be leading Heisman Trophy candidates.

In his analysis of the current season, Ted Miller also gave his MVP award to Marshawn Lynch, and Newcomer of the Year award to DeSean Jackson:

Most Valuable Player

	Lynch

Running back Marshawn Lynch, Cal

Lynch didn’t become the Heisman Trophy candidate he was touted as during the preseason, but he led the conference in rushing (1,245 yards) and all-purpose yards (1,657). He scored 13 touchdowns (nine rushing) and averaged 6.1 yards per carry. He piled up those numbers while battling a pair of sprained ankles, so his toughness deserves a tip of the cap as much as his talent.

And it was hilarious when he drove that golf cart onto the field after the Bears nipped Washington.

Newcomer of the Year

DeSean Jackson, Cal

Jackson, who led the Bears in receiving last season as a true freshman, has spectacular speed and athleticism — comparisons to Reggie Bush don’t evoke sarcastic snickers — making him the conference’s most dangerous player during his sophomore campaign.

He led the nation in punt returns, averaging 18.2 yards per return with four touchdowns. He also caught 54 passes for 979 yards and nine touchdowns.

With two or possibly three Heisman Trophy candidates, a competitive Pac-10, and an opening home game against Tennessee, next season should be quite exciting for the Bears.

Hughes wins Lott award

Star cornerback Daymeion Hughes has taken home the Lott Award.

California cornerback Daymeion Hughes received the Lott Trophy on Sunday, edging Quinn Pitcock of Ohio State and Paul Posluszny of Penn State for the award honoring on-field performance and personal character among defensive players.

This a great honor, and Hughes is definitely deserving after he was snubbed for the Thorpe Award (the award for the “best defensive back” in the nation). Who knows what happened with that. As ESPN’s Bruce Feldman said:

I vote for the Thorpe and I would’ve voted for Hughes as the winner, but he wasn’t in the three finalists we were asked to vote on a few days ago.

5-star safety Terry Mixon commits

This recruiting weekend was a busy one, as another of Cal’s 18 visiting recruits has committed to this class. Terry Mixon, a 5-star safety out of JC Grossmont in El Cajon (CA), made his verbal commitment over offers from Arizona State, Mississippi, Tennessee, Washington and more. Terry is the brother of cornerback Tim Mixon, who may return for a 6th year after suffering a season-ending injury during fall camp.

Edit for FAQ’s: Terry (6’2″/210) is bigger than Tim (5’10″/184), making him more suitable for big hits than pass coverage. He has eligibility to take 3 years to play 2. Also, Terry initially committed to Arizona State, but opened recruiting back up after their head coach Dirk Koetter was fired for Dennis Erickson.

4-star linebacker D.J. Holt commits

D.J. Holt, a 4-star prep out of Encino (CA), has committed to Cal. He’s listed as both a defensive end and linebacker but is slated to play middle linebacker; Rivals ranks him the #19 defensive end while Scout rates him the #13 strong-side linebacker in the country. Holt picked Cal over several other offers including Arizona State, Washington, and Fresno State, and he looks to be an excellent addition to the defense for this class.

Jackson, Hughes SI First Team All-Americans

Released earlier today, Sports Illustrated’s All American list includes Daymeion Hughes at DB and DeSean Jackson as a punt returner. Also being listed as honorable mentions are Marshawn Lynch at running back and DeSean Jackson again as a wide receiver.