Cal picks up four-star commit
Cal might have had a disappointing season but the Golden Bears are doing another outstanding job on the recruiting trail and they added a big piece Thursday morning when four-star cornerback Stefan McClure committed.
The Vista, Calif., standout who shined at the recent U.S. Army All-American Bowl picked Cal over UCLA, Boise State, Michigan and Oregon State.
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McClure told Rivals.com at the Army game that Cal and Boise State had moved to the front for his services but then Michigan got involved and many believed the Wolverines could steal him especially since he had developed a relationship with new coach Brady Hoke, formerly of San Diego State.
UCLA was also considered a frontrunner for some time but Cal won out and McClure said the biggest reason was because of the feeling he got when he visited campus. He knew it was the right place for him.
"Just being on campus, getting that feel in your heart where you know this could be the place, that's mainly why I feel this was the place for me," McClure said. "I feel like I can go help contribute to what they're doing the next couple years.
"I have something to offer and that was one of the main reasons I picked them. Plus, you can't pass up the education."
McClure, a 5-foot-11, 170-pound cornerback, has also developed a strong relationship with Cal cornerbacks coach Ashley Ambrose. Although he's in his first season in Berkeley, McClure first got to know Ambrose when he was recruiting the star cornerback to Colorado so the two are already familiar with each other.
That was an important part in the recruiting process but not the biggest selling point since McClure had bonds with many coaching staffs across the country.
"I've known (Ambrose) for a while just like all the other coaches recruiting me," McClure said. "I knew him when he was out at Colorado. My relationship is real good and straightforward with him and a lot of coaches.
"We can talk about anything just like many other coaching staffs. What put them over the edge was the feeling I had when I was on campus and the fact that I can help them on defense and make a difference."
Rivals.com rates McClure as the ninth-best cornerback and No. 118 nationally by Rivals.com.