Zion Echols: The Return

Cal received very welcome news on Wednesday when one-time commit Zion Echols re-committed to the Golden Bears and expressed his intention to sign his letter of intent with Cal in a ceremony at his school.

Echols, a 5'9", 180 pound playmaker for Charter Oak in Covina, had previously been committed to Cal from May until mid-November. He backed off his pledge amidst rumors that Cal head coach Sonny Dykes would not be returning to the school. Once Dykes signed an extension with Cal, and following Echols' official visit to the school, he was ready to reaffirm his commitment.

Echols held 13 scholarship offers in total, but his decision came down to Cal and Washington State in the end. Both programs were looking to deploy him in similar fashions: primarily lining him up in the backfield with occasional usage out of the slot. Echols will likely help Cal in the punt and kickoff return game as well.

In his senior season, Echols earned All-CIF Central Division recognition, Hacienda League MVP honors, and was named the San Gabriel Valley Tribune's All-Area Offensive Player of the Year after rushing for 2,147 yards and 37 touchdowns. He added 300 yards receiving and 4 more touchdowns through the air to go along with 3 touchdowns off kickoff returns. Echols topped the 100 yards rushing mark in 13 games and helped Charter Oak to a 12-2 record and a spot in the CIF Central Division championship game.

Rivals rates Echols as a 3-star (5.6) prospect. He is ranked as the 52nd best athlete in the country for the 2016 class and the 77th best prospect in the state of California.