The Top 10 Recruits Signed by Cal During the Internet Age

Cal continues our 12-part series where we are ranking the best recruits to sign with each Pac-12 school since the advent of serious recruiting coverage on the Internet (2002 serving as the furthest year back that you can find rankings for players online). Our rankings are put together by combining players' rankings from recruiting sites, offers and the amount of hype that surrounded their singings.

Please note that these are taking only into account how highly-rated players were coming out of high school, not their college careers. So please, no angry, insult-laden comments about how only a child murderer wouldn't realize that LaMichael James (Or any player who had a great college career, but was an under-the-radar recruit) should be number three on the list.

1. Keenan Allen Class of 2010 S Greensboro, NC - Northern Guilford

Allen was one of the top rated players at any position in the country in the Class of 2010 and was big and athletic enough to play a number of positions. Allen was recruited hard by just about everyone in the country and ended up shockingly signing with the Bears over Alabama and Clemson to join up with his half-brother Zach Maynard who transferred to Cal from Buffalo. Allen became one of the best receivers in the country as a freshman and was a standout during his three-year college career before heading to the NFL.

2. DeSean Jackson Class of 2005 WR Long Beach, CA - Poly

Before De'Anthony Thomas came along, Jackson may have held the distinction of being the most electrifying athlete to come out of the LA area in recent history, as he was ultra quick with unstoppable big play ability and athleticism. Many might have expected Jackson to sign with local powerhouse USC, but Jackson shocked many by head up to Cal. Jackson continued to be a fun to watch playmaker in college as he was a star at Cal before going on to become a very good player in the NFL.

3. Viliami Moala Class of 2011 DT Sacramento, CA - Grant

The West Coast doesn't regularly produce big time defensive tackles like Moala, who was a massive rock in the middle coming out of Sacramento at 6'3 340 with great quickness for his size. Moala considered some other Pac-12 schools like USC and Washington, but ultimately decided to stay home and signed with Cal. Moala has played a bit early in his career at Cal and the Bears hope that he will continue to progress.

4. Bryce Treggs Class of 2012 WR Bellflower, CA - St. John Bosco

One of the top receivers in the Class of 2012, Treggs wasn't the biggest guy, but was simply a super polished receiver with superb hands. Treggs played out his recruitment and visited Notre Dame, USC, UCLA and Arizona State but signed with Cal. Treggs was one of the best freshman receivers in the Pac-12 in 2012.

5. Zach Kline Class of 2012 QB Danville, CA - San Ramon Valley

Kline made a big statement in the 2011 Elite 11 and had a big arm and strong leadership skills that made him one of the top-rated quarterbacks in the Class of 2012. Kline committed to Cal early and after a redshirt season in 2012, is projected to start the Sonny Dykes era in Berkeley as the starting quarterback.

6. Marshawn Lynch Class of 2004 RB Oakland, CA - Tech

With astounding speed for his size and level of strength, Lynch was one of the top running backs in the Class of 2004 and a physical freak that looked like a future star in the making. Lynch stayed local and ended up signing with Cal as one of the best recruits that the Bears had ever signed at the time. Another guy that we all know the rest of the story - had a great career at Cal before going to the NFL and becoming a star.

7. Jahvid Best Class of 2007 RB Richmond, CA - Salesian

Best followed Lynch as the next big time running back to come out of the Bay Area and he had serious speed to burn, maybe the fastest recruit in his class in the entire country. Best considered heavy hitters like Oregon, USC and Notre Dame, but ultimately ended up staying home and following in the football of Lynch by signing with Cal. Best ended up being one of the fastest running backs in the Pac-10 and though he battled injuries during his three-year career at Cal, he was taken in the first round of the NFL Draft by the Lions.

8. Joe Ayoob Class of 2005 QB San Francisco, CA - City College of San Francisco

Ayoob was considered to be the top junior college player in the Class of 2005 and was so highly regarded that he was expected to step in and start right away at any school he signed with. Ayoob ended up staying in the Bay Area and signed with Cal along with a couple other highly-rated teammates from San Francisco. Ayoob didn't end up becoming a star, though he started some games for the Bears.

9. Nate Longshore Class of 2004 QB Canyon Country, CA - Canyon

A massive prospect at 6'5 235, Longshore had a cannon of an arm and was a superb pocket passer. Longshore became Jeff Tedford's first big time quarterback recruit when he signed with Cal. Longshore showed serious promise at times during his career but struggled with injuries.

10. Kyle Reed Class of 2005 QB Oakland, CA - McClymonds

Reed was one of the top dual-threat quarterbacks in the Class of 2005 and had great precision for how athletic he was. Reed decided to stay local and committed to Cal early over a number of Pac-10 schools. Reed spent a couple of years at Cal but never played and ended up transferring to San Jose State.

Others considered

Allan Bridgford Class of 2009 QB Mission Viejo, CA

Jared Goff Class of 2013 QB Kenfield, CA - Marin Catholic

Derek Hill Class of 2006 DT Oakland, CA - McClymonds

Brock Mansion Class of 2007 QB Dallas, TX - Episcopal

Phillip Mbakogu Class of 2004 DE Hayward, CA