After losing three running backs on the transfer portal in recent weeks, Cal added a commitment to the position on Tuesday night from Oakland powerhouse McClymons High School’s Jaibian Thomas.
The 5-foot-10-inch, 175-pound Thomas doesn’t have a star ranking by ribials.com, but he’s listed as the Bears’ ninth commitment to the 2023 class, highlighting the need to provide depth. potentially fulfill.
Thomas announced the news on his Twitter account. “I’m home!!” he wrote.
Larger schools ignored Thomas during the recruitment process, and Cal was the only Pac-12 program to show clear interest.
According to the East Bay Times, Thomas has had a lot to offer this season for the McCrimmons as the team reached the AA State Championship Game in Division 2 with a 12-2 record, accumulating 2,528 yards and 30 touchdowns. rice field.
Thomas had 307 yards and four touchdowns in the McClymonds’ 49-35 win over Lemoore in the NorCal 2-AA Championship Game. In his first 13 games for the Warriors, he averaged 14.5 yards per carry.
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“It’s a big deal for me to have the opportunity to play for the Pac-12,” Thomas told the newspaper in a text.
“I am very happy to know that many friends and family support me.”
The McLymons defensive back had offers from Army, Idaho, Northern Colorado and Rice, according to the Rivals. He also reportedly caught the attention of San Jose State University, Sacramento State University, and the University of California, Davis.
He’s Cal’s only running back commitment so far, adding much-needed depth to the position after the departure of Damian Moore, DeCarlos Brooks and Chris Street.
The Bears will bring back Jadon Ott, who rushed for 897 yards and scored 10 touchdowns this season as a freshman. Also returning were freshman Ashton Hayes, who was used primarily as a kick-return specialist this season, and redshirt sophomore Ashton Stredick, who had three carries for 19 yards.
McClymonds High School running back Jaivian Thomas cover photo
debtCal Sports Report’s Jeff Faraudo on Twitter: @jefffaraudo