After giving up the most passing TDs (42) and passing yards (4,406) than any program in FBS history, it's no secret Cal needs defensive backs.

Defensive backs with size.

Defensive backs with speed.

Defensive backs with highlight reels that start INT, INT, INT, INT, forced goal line fumble, goal line tackle to save a TD, forced INT, goal line TD-saving tackle, INT.

Mesa Community College freshman Derron Brown, who committed to Cal this week, just happens to have all three.

The 6'2", 195-pounder, who missed his entire senior season of high school -- and any shot at a college career straight out of Laveen, Arizona's Betty H. Fairfax High -- with a broken foot, tripped to Cal this summer for an unofficial visit and an opportunity to work out in front of the coaches. He'd run a low-4.4 40 time, and soon thereafter add defensive backs coach Greg Burns to his speed dial.

"They followed me through the season after that visit, and after the first couple games I received an offer," he said. "Coach Burns, he's a great coach, we connected real fast -- we clicked. We talk a few times a week now."

That's why, just three short weeks ago, Brown told GoldenBearReport he was on the verge of a commitment. He said then that a commitment on his official visit was a real possibility. That official visit is set for this coming weekend. Brown said Sunday night he just couldn't wait.

"I guess, I don't know, I just couldn't wait, I got anxious. Education was a huge factor -- it's the No. 1 public university -- and athletically I believe in what they want to do, their goals and all of that," said Brown, who said he has at least a B average, but probably higher thanks to a pair of As this semester. "I got a little preview, a little tour when I took that unofficial visit in the summer, and I was impressed by everything.

"I've been following Cal all season, they've made a lot of progress from last season, I can't wait to contribute."

Or play with one of his good friends -- Cal corner AJ Greathouse.

"We actually were really good friends, we lived 5 minutes from each other, hung out pretty often, we were in the same boat after high school, and we both ended up having the same great opportunity," he said. "He's been talking to me pretty much every day, about the coaches, the practices, what it's like to play in an actual game."

Greathouse, it turns out, isn't the only one.

Brown was actually born and raised in Oakland up until the 7th grade when he moved out to Arizona. He says a majority of his family is still in the East Bay, and they've been waiting for this commitment for quite some time.

"Actually my family is a bunch of big Cal fans, they were extremely proud of me," he said. "They asked every day if I committed yet. It's actually pretty great, because I go visit now and then, but they all missed a big chapter of watching me play in high school, and now they'll have a chance to see me play college ball."

Best news of all for his family and the Cal staff? They'll get to do it sooner than later. That's because Brown -- who will have three years to play three -- is a mid-year enrollee.