In 2005, the University of California came tantalizingly close to signing a difference-maker that could've changed the shape of the Bear defense for years to come in 2009 Heisman finalist Ndamukong Suh.
As it was, the Bears ended up signing perhaps their most important and talented recruit in the Tedford era that season, fellow U.S. Army All-American DeSean Jackson, from Long Beach, CA's Long Beach Poly High. Jackson dominated the Army game, earning MVP for his stellar performance, where he caught seven passes for 141 yards and passed for a 45-yard touchdown in leading the West to a 35-3 victory.
All know the impact that Jackson had on Cal's program but until Suh burst onto the national radar this year with his Heisman-caliber performance this season, many had forgotten exactly how close Cal came to signing the beast of a defensive tackle from Portland, Oregon.
His official visits over by the Army game, Suh was down to Cal and Nebraska. With his desire to major in engineering, many thought Cal might win out for Suh, as Cal had the top engineering program in the nation.
However, it was not to be, as Suh opted to play for Bill Callahan and the Nebraska Cornhuskers, thanks largely to the recruiting efforts of former Husker assistantant John Blake, at the time, one of the top recruiters in the nation.
This season, the 6-4/302 Suh's prodigious talent all came together, culminating in an absolutely dominating performance against then #3 Texas last weekend, with an astounding 4 1/2 sacks in the Huskers near upset of UT.
Suh not only terrorized quarterbacks with 82 tackles, 23 tackles for loss and 12 sacks, but he broke up ten passes and blocked three kicks on the year, while leading his team in tackles for the second straight year -unusual for a defensive tackle.
Watching Suh almost single-handedly knock Texas out of the national title game, Cal fans could not help to imagine how much of an impact a dominating defensive tackle and sure-fire pro talent could've had on the Bears' defense over a four-year collegiate career.
Suh joined quarterbacks Tim Tebow (Florida) and Colt McCoy (Texas) and running backs Mark Ingram (Alabama) and Toby Gerhart (Stanford) in New York as finalists for the college football's highest honor today as Ingram was named the surprise winner.
To view the Bear Insider's interview with Suh at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl in January 2005, use this link:
