Late Defections Take Toll On Cal Recruiting Class

BERKELEY (CBS / AP) --Instead of celebrating a top 10 football recruiting class that featured some of the most heralded prospects on the West Coast, Cal had to settle for a class that will end up in the middle of the pack in the Pac-12.

The Golden Bears finalized their class Wednesday led by quarterback Zach Kline. But this year's group is more notable for the prized prospects who signed elsewhere after star recruiter Tosh Lupoi left Cal for the University of Washington last month.

Safety Shaq Thompson, defensive lineman Ellis McCarthy and receiver Jordan Payton all committed to Cal at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl on Jan. 7, giving the school a shocking haul of talent. But all three changed their minds after Lupoi left, dealing a major blow to the class.

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