Juco Signing Day: Bears Pick up Two Early Signings
Cal has their first two official members of the 2017 class, picking up two signings from JC LB Daquan Patton and DL Alex Funches of Trinity Valley CC in Athens, TX.
Patton and Funches were both named all-SWJCFC 1st team defenders, with Patton earning league co-defensive MVP honors. Both played a key role in getting Trinity Valley to a postseason bowl game, the Heart of Texas Bowl, where they defeated Northwest Mississippi 34-24. They advanced there by winning the SWJCFC (Southwestern Junior College Football Conference), with a 48-41 overtime victory over Kilgore.
Patton signed on with the Bears at the end of June after a visit there during the summer. He provides instant depth for the Cal linebacking core, which was a point of contention during this season and a focus in this recruiting cycle. He's a quick linebacker who can play sideline to sideline who tackles well.
Patton has three years to play two, as he didn't redshirt at TVCC
Sonny Dykes quote on Patton:
"Da'Quan was one of the best junior college defensive players in the country last year. We have a need for strong and athletic linebackers with a lot of game experience, and he will certainly fill that need and challenge for playing time immediately. He checks all the boxes in what we are looking for at that position."
Final 2016 Stats for Patton: 89 tackles, 2.5 sacks, 8.5 TFLs, 2 FFs, 1 INT, 3 PBUs
Funches was on the same visit as Patton, but he committed a bit later, waiting until July 6th to announce his commitment to Cal. Funches is on the lighter side for a defensive end, coming in at 225 lbs. That being said, he's technically sound, using his reach and hands to keep blockers off of him on a pass rush. His hands and speed make him a good pass rusher, but he's going to have to gain a bit more weight to be effective against the run.
Funches will have two years of eligibility left, as he redshirted his first JC year.
Sonny Dykes Quote on Funches:
"We need to recruit and sign as many athletic players on the defensive side of the ball as we can and adding Alex will certainly help us in this area. He was a late bloomer coming out of high school but has added more size while retaining his athletic ability during two junior college seasons. He had his most productive season as a sophomore a year ago and is really just beginning to come into his own as a football player. We look forward to him arriving in January and getting right into the mix."
Funches' Final 2016 Stats: 64 tackles, 7 sacks, 9 TFLs, 2 FFs, 1 Int, 3 PBUs