Cal Lands Versatile San Diego 2017 SS Jordan Genmark Heath
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @HogManInLA
The Golden Bears seemingly have a knack for securing do-everything kind of talent on the recruiting trail. On Sunday, Cal struck again landing versatile safety/athlete Jordan Genmark-Heath out of the San Diego area.
College coaches started becoming aware of Genmark-Heath after a solid all-around season for Cathedral Catholic last season. The Dons went 7-5 in 2015 with Genmark-Heath doing a little bit of everything including carrying the rock and returning the ball on kick returns.
Genmark-Heath is having an excellent start to his senior season with the Dons going 5-0 pushing their in-state ranking to No. 8 on MaxPreps. Their 6-2, 205 pound, playmaker has 12 carries for 50 yards with two scores and five receptions for 151 yards with two additional touchdowns. On special teams, Genmark-Heath has one kick return for 10 yards and two punt returns for 26 yards.
Where Cal will more than likely use the Swedish born talent is on defense. So far this season, Genmark-Heath has 28 tackles, three passes defended, and a pick returned 26 yards through five games.
The Golden Bears had heavy competition for the three-star talent beating out 18 other offers for his commitment. The spring and summer evaluation period skyrocketed Genmark-Heath’s recruitment with teams like Northwestern, Yale, Colorado State, Washington State, and Vanderbilt offering in addition to Boston College, San Diego State, San Jose State, Army, Columbia, Dartmouth, Harvard, Hawaii, Oregon State, and Utah.
Genmark-Heath posted his commitment on Twitter writing, “I am extremely proud to announce that I’ve committed to the University of Cal Berkeley! #GoBears #CalGang.” The commitment was accompanied with a statement:
Cal now has 12 verbal commitments to their 2017 class. Taariq Johnson is the highest rated player in the group thus far ranked a four-star. 247Sports rates the class the No. 52 haul in the nation and sixth best in the Pac-12.
Cal Golden Bears 2017 Verbal Commitment List (12)
CB Je’Quari Godfrey, 6-2, 185, Bishop O’Dowd HS, Oakland, CA
CB Tyriq Hardimon, 6-0, 190, Lassiter HS, Marietta, GA
CB Marquese Taylor, 5-11, 177, Lovejoy, Hampton, GA
SS Jordan Genmark-Heath, 6-2, 205, Cathedral Catholic, San Diego, CA
LB Da’Quann Patton, 6-2, 210, Trinity Valley C.C., Athens, TX
DE Gabriel Cherry, 6-5, 265, Centennial HS, Bakersfield, CA
DE Alex Funches, 6-2, 225, Trinity Valley C.C., Athens, TX
RB Biaggio Ali Walsh, 5-10, 186, Bishop Gorman, Las Vegas, NV
QB Chase Garbers, 6-3, 205, Corona Del Mar, Newport Beach, CA
WR/DB Jeremiah Hawkins, 5-9, 170, Buena Park HS, Buena Park, CA
WR Taariq Johnson, 6-2, 213, Buena Park HS, Buena Park, CA
WR/CB Michael Onyemaobi, 6-1, 187, Chaparral HS, Temecula, CA
Photo credit: sandiegouniontribune.com; No. 8 Jordan Genmark-Heath.