Follett pulls recruiting shocker

In one of the bigger recruiting surprises of the young season, Clovis (Calif.) linebacker Zack Follett has committed to Cal. The surprise comes in the both the timing and the selection as Oregon appeared to be the heavy leader for months.

“Yeah, I know what I’ve been saying and it was all true, I really was planning on going to Oregon,” Follett said. “That’s actually what got Cal’s attention. They told me they read on the internet that I was a huge Oregon lean and would probably commit on my visit so they called my coach at school and had them pull me out of class.

“They were basically going nuts on the phone, it was pretty funny. They were telling me how bad they wanted me and how I need to stay home and play for the local school. The thing I never really told anyone was Cal has been my dream school since I was a little. I mean I’ve always wanted to go to Cal ever since I first started watching football.

“They never recruited me though so I assumed they just weren’t interested. That’s why I started looking at all these other schools and especially Oregon because I had so many people telling me what a great school Oregon is. I was probably going to commit there on my visit until Cal got involved and once they did, it was over for me.

“I’m still really excited about it. Cal is a great school and the program is only going to get better. They’re really building something special and I’m excited to be a part of it. I haven’t told any coaches yet so I’m sure Oregon will be surprised. I’m not going to take any other visits except to Cal (Nov. 19). I don’t think Cal would want me to visit elsewhere and I don’t want to waste anyone’s time or money either.”

In eight game, Follett has made 105 tackles, 15 for loss, forces seven fumbles, has four sacks and two fumble recoveries including one he returned for a score.