Cal Football: Bears Add Cornerback and Punter on Signing Day
Having previously added 28 high school prospects and transfers to its 2024 roster, Cal football announced just two additional players as the late signing period began on Wednesday.
Punter Bobby Engstler of Tallahassee, Florida, committed last month and the Bears also have signed Khamani Hudson, a 6-foot-1, 170-pound cornerback from North Shore High School in Houston.
“He’s got really good tangibles -- can run, has some good length,” Cal coach Justin Wilcox said of Hudson. “We feel he’s got a big upside.”
Wilcox said fans should not read too much into the fact that Hudson was not heavily recruited until recently.
“They’re still high school guys and they develop at different rates. I think all of us — whether it’s fans, recruiting sites, coaches as well — judge people too early sometimes,” he said. “That can be dangerous. You can miss people. I think he’s a great example.”
Hudson, who made a weekend recruiting visit to Berkeley, also had offers from Houston, Lamar, Missouri State and Alabama-Birmingham, according to the Rivals recruiting site.
“I knew Cal was the spot for me when I got on campus and got to experience how the team bonded together on and off the field,” Hudson told Rivals.
Engstler,a 6-foot-1, 200-pounder, also had been recruited by Florida. He visited Cal last month, Wilcox confirmed.
“Really talented young guy who we’re excited to bring on board,” Wilcox said. “Just a guy that’s got a lot of God-given ability as a specialist. He’s still gong to grow as a player but having a punter who’s consistent and is a weapon in terms of changing field position, you recognize that when you have it.”
Wilcox said much of the Bears’ 2024 roster is now established. “I would anticipate a few more people in that spring window, the May-June window. We’ll see how much that grows, depending on spring football and who’s available come the spring transfer window.”
Cover photo of Cal coach Justin Wilcox
Follow Jeff Faraudo of Cal Sports Report on Twitter: @jefffaraudo
