Since 59: How we keep it in Cali- Where the top California recruits head

With all the talk of expansion and how it affects recruiting, I figured I’d check how much of an influence Texas and Oklahoma already have in California. With all the expansion talks snuffed, it’s still nice to see how the Pac-10 keeps recruits in state and conference. Using a list of the top recruits, I checked to see where California kids were headed. (Note: Rankings are for national and by position)

QB

#4 Jesse Scroggins: Kept in state, USC

#9 Nick Montana: Kept in Pac-10, UW

#13 Brett Nottingham: Kept in state, Stanfurd

#14 Tyler Bray: LEFT, Tennessee

#20 Sean Mannion- Kept in Pac-10, Oregon State

#21 Chase Rettig: LEFT, Boston College

#23 Bryan Bennett: Kept in Pac-10, Oregon

RB

#4 D.J. Morgan: Kept in state, USC

#6 Morgan Jones: Kept in state, UCLA

#7 Dillon Baxter: Kept in state, USC

#9 Jordan James: Kept in state, UCLA

#10 Brennan Clay: LEFT, Oklahoma

#21 Devon Cooper: Kept in Pac-10, Washington

WR

#1 Robert Woods: Kept in state, USC

#13 Kenny Stills: LEFT, Oklahoma

#22 Paul Richardson: Kept in state, UCLA

TE

#8 Chris Thomas: Kept in California, USC

#9 Randall Telfer- Kept in California, USC

OL

#18 Erik Kohler: Kept in Pac-10, Washington

#22 Chris Ward: Kept in state, UCLA

DE

#1 Ron Powell: LEFT, Florida

#4 Chris Martin: Kept in state, Cal

DT

#3 George Uko: Kept in state, USC

#7 Cassius Marsh: Kept in state, UCLA

LB

#8 Cecil Whiteside: Kept in state, Cal

#16 Dave Wilkerson: Kept in state, Cal

DB

#5 Josh Shaw: LEFT, Florida

#6 Sean Parker: Kept in Pac-10, Washington

#10 Dietrich Riley: Kept in state, UCLA

#12 Dion Bailey: Kept in state, USC

#16 Demetrius Wright: Kept in state, USC

#38 Erick Dargan: Kept in state, Oregon

ATH

#1 Tony Jefferson: LEFT, Oklahoma

#3 Anthony Barr: Kept in state, UCLA

#9 Hayes Pullard: Kept in state, USC

#10 Josh Shirley: Kept in state, UCLA

So of the 260 players listed, 36 of them reside in California. That equals 14% of all players listed. If all things were equal among the 50 states, then each state would have 5.2 players. So California has 31 more players then they should. Only 7 of the 36 left state, for 19% of the California recruits. 29/36, or 81%, stayed in the Pac-10 conference.

Overall, the Pac-10 does a terrific job of keeping California talent inside. While Cal does not pull in a ton of in-state talent, they did pick up 3 recruits. But top recruits like Keenan Allen and Austin Hinder are not included because they represent out of state talent, which Tedford did a great job of this recruiting season. Great job Pac-10 coaches! (Except for that character from WSU. Terrible job!)