RCC OL Dwayne Wallace Commits to Cal
Just a day after receiving the commitment of Mesa Community College cornerback Marloshawn Franklin, Cal received some good news from another official visitor and junior college prospect when Riverside Community College OL Dwayne Wallace committed to the Golden Bear coaching staff on Wednesday.
We caught up with the massive spring enrollee to get the word on his decision, his fiture plans, and the road he traveled to arrive at this point.
"I feel good. I'm glad this process is over. This last week, as it gets closer to signing day, more and more schools were contacting me. More and more offers were coming in. My family and I felt like it was the right time to make a decision."
With double digit offers in hand and more coming through from Big 12 and SEC country, why did Wallace feel Cal was the place for him?
"I'd been interested in Cal for a while. I can come in and do some big things there, help turn things around on the line. I'd talked to DeVante (Wilson), Coach Jones, and did a lot of my own research. System-wise , this was the best option for me. And I just feel like I made the best decision for me and my family."
Wallace is a two-time Junior College All-American, and with a powerful 6'5", 320 pound frame, should provide some needed power and nastiness to Cal's offensive line.
"I'm a great run blocker, that's really the strongest part of my game. I'm really aggressive in pas protection too. Aggressive is probably the word to describe my game. With that and Coach Jones building me up, I just feel like I can really take my game to the next level."
@dweezy951 📨📨📨 pic.twitter.com/0WE3i3esxu- Coach Greg Hoyd (@Coach_Hoyd) December 5, 2015
And while the initial assumption was Wallace would compete for playing time at guard, his surprisingly light feet, mobility and size makes him a candidate to slot in at tackle as well.
"I'll be playing guard or tackle. Wherever they need me the most is where I'll be. I just want to get on the field. I'm ready to go in, get focused, and get it going."
Arkansas was Cal's main competition for Wallace's pledge. And the main reason was Razorback OL Coach Sam Pittman. Wallace sees a lot of the same traits that drew him to Pittman in Cal OL coach Brandon Jones.
"Coach Jones is down to earth. He's not going to lie to you, he's real. He'll coach you hard, like Coach Pittman would. He's making some changes on the offensive line this spring, and he really thinks things will be improved."
When asked to elaborate on the changes Coach Jones had shared, Wallace confirmed what we had heard: Cal will be moving away from vertical set blocking.
"Yes, he's moving to the kick step instead of the vertical set. Honestly, I don't think I'd still be going to Cal if they were still doing vertical set. They're going to change it up, look to run the ball more. It's a big change, but a good one. It's great timing for me."
Wallace becomes the sixth offensive linemen to join Cal's 2016 class, a number that has many pleased by Cal's renewed focus on the trenches. Wallace himself appreciates where Cal is focusing their energy.
"It all starts up front with the offensive line. You've got to be good up front first, it makes every other part of the offense better. We've got some good pieces coming in. It's all coming together."
Things weren't always so rosy for the big man though. The road he took to arrive where he is now was no straight line.
"It was a rough road for me to get here. A lot of things could have gone south for me. I grew up in foster care. It was tough. I wasn't focused. My grades weren't up to par out of high school, which is why I didn't go play FBS football right away."
But that's where the story arc trends up. Despite the challenges he'd faced, Wallace made the decision to focus and re-dedicate himself, both in the classroom and on the field.
"I re-focused on school first, getting my grades up and in a good place. It had to start there. I was named an All-American my first year at RCC. In my second year, I just focused on improving my game that much more. Going into Cal, I want to take it all to the next level."
And life is good in many ways for Wallace. He holds a 3.4 GPA. He's headed to the top public school in the country, with aspirations of success in the classroom and on the football field. And perhaps best of all, he's preparing to become a father, with a baby due to arrive late in the spring.
"For as rough as its been, I feel truly blessed and thank God for leading me here. The future is bright. I'm excited. I can't wait to get up there."
Without knowing just how it will end, it already feels like the tale of Dwayne Wallace is a success story that we can all appreciate.