Linebacker Chris Fatilua Commits to Cal

The inside linebacker position needed a boost after losing Devante Downs to graduation. They got one linebacker from San Diego in Louis Bickett. Now they have another in Chris Fatilua. Fatilua, from Madison High School in San Diego, committed to the Bears after his official visit to the Bears this weekend. Fatilua chose Cal over offers from Vanderbilt, Oregon State, Bowling Green, and Navy among others.

Fatilua, who played in the Polynesian Bowl a week ago, recorded 66 tackles, 12 TFLs, 3 sacks, 2 INTs, and a fumble recovery in eight games (listed by MaxPreps) as a senior. The 6'3", 220 lb inside linebacker is a sure tackler at a spot where the Bears need help. With Downs leaving and Kyle Harmon transferring before the year even began, the Bears needed another inside linebacker to pair with Bickett, Colt Doughty and Evan Tattersall (potentially). That's the role that Fatilua can perform in, he can come up the middle on blitzes with solid timing, he takes solid pursuit angles, and he has consistent tackling form, in line with what Justin Wilcox and company.

Fatilua is someone Tim DeRuyter scouted early, and after his senior season, the Bears offered him in December. He didn't sign in the early period, but Cal kept on him, pursuing onto an official visit this weekend, where he had four other commits around him, and Wilcox and company sealed the deal.

Fatilua is Cal's 20th commit in the class, the fifth linebacker in the class, alongside Bickett, Doughty, Nick Alftin, and JH Tevis.