Big message for Mixon
Joe Mixon was impressed by his weekend visit to Cal and the four-star running back also got a chance to talk with two big-time former Golden Bears' running backs who had an important message for him.
"It was really good there," Mixon said. "I got to talk with Jahvid Best and Marshawn (Lynch). I didn't talk to Jahvid a lot but it was because I have a better relationship with Marshawn. I met him a long time ago.
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"Marshawn basically said to do what's best for me but that Cal would be a great place for me and he said make sure I keep balling out."
The Oakley (Calif.) Freedom running back who earned offensive MVP honors at the recent Rivals Camp in Los Angeles said Cal's running back tradition is influential but he's not sure how it will factor in his decision.
"That's pretty much a big thing but I'm really not looking at it that way," Mixon said. "That is something big though coming with a big running back tradition.
"I've been up there a few times and I've seen the new stadium and everything and it is nice up there. I like it a lot."
The 6-foot-2, 207-pound prospect recently narrowed his list to a more manageable number with Arizona State, Arkansas, Cal, Clemson, Georgia, Michigan, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Oregon State, Tennessee, Texas A&M, UCLA, USC, Washington and Wisconsin making the cut.
Mixon, who picked up an offer from West Virginia on Sunday, has nearly 40 offers and he said even though he cut down his list he's still open to talking with every coaching staff and will at least hear them out.
No school has been completely eliminated yet.
"Even though some of the schools aren't in my top 15 they still get in contact with me and I talk with them," Mixon said. "I let them know I'm still interested. I just tell them that things could change."
Rivals.com rates Mixon as the No. 82 prospect in the 2014 class.