Pasadena’s Evan Rambo is part of the talent movement headed to Cal

Exclusive Interview with La Salle’s Evan Rambo

 

Times are changing at Cal-Berkeley and for the better. The football program is on an upswing thanks to head coach Sonny Dykes and staff. The changes on the field are noticeable not only in execution of plays, determination, and skill level but most notably in the win-loss column.

Dykes took over a depleted Golden Bears football team in 2013 mustering up a 1-11 record. A dramatic shift has taken place in 2014 with Cal posting a 5-6 record needing a win over BYU on Saturday to become bowl eligible for the first time since 2011.

Still the record does not reflect the tremendous difference in play on the field. Cal lost their first game of the season on a last second Hail Mary to Arizona 49-45, UCLA needed a late fourth quarter field goal to knock off their Pac-12 rival 36-34, and USC escaped with a 38-30 home win over their northern in-state foes.

A play here or a play there and the Golden Bears could be pushing for nine wins on Saturday against the Cougars in year two under Dykes.

Recruits across the nation and especially in the state of California have taken notice of the improved play. One of those recruits is Pasadena La Salle High School two-way star Evan Rambo.

On offense the 6’4”, 190 pound, athlete finished the season third on his team in receiving yards showing big play ability turning six receptions into 108 yards. On defense Rambo had 40 stops, 4.0 tackles for a loss, five pass deflections, and picked off two passes.

Cal was able to flip Rambo from his previous commitment to San Diego State after an unofficial visit during the weekend of the Washington matchup (Oct. 11).

In an exclusive interview Rambo sat down to talk about recruiting, the upstart California Golden Bears, and gearing up for the collegiate game.

 

Evan, first, congratulations on your verbal commitment to Cal. You have programs like UCLA, Fresno State, Washington, Colorado State, and Washington State showing a lot of interest in you, why did you commit to Cal?

“I’m comfortable with the school, really liked their educational programs, and Cal-Berkley is one of the top schools in the nation, and I love the coaching staff. I really liked the area as well. If I come to campus ready I should have an opportunity to be able to play early.

The talent on the team is pretty young, and the coaching staff has the team going in right direction. It just felt really comfortable there.”

When college recruiters were contacting you early on what type of feedback did you receive from the coaches?

“The liked my size and my ability to move with my height. They liked what they saw on tape, and that I could play safety, corner, and wide receiver. Most coaches really commented on my versatility.”

When do you take your official visit to Berkeley?

“I take my official visit on January 23 when Cal plays Louisville (in basketball).”

How did your unofficial visit go?

“It went great. I got to meet the coaching staff and everybody else up there. Being on campus, the atmosphere was great, the crowd was great. I loved how loud the stadium got. Everyone treated me really well. I got to meet the other recruits and commits, got their opinions on committing to Cal. It all factored into my decision to commit there.”

Have any schools contacted you after your commitment to Cal?

“Fresno State and Washington State let me know that they were still very interested in me should anything change but I am 100 percent committed to Cal.”

The football movement in Cal is in full swing. With Evan’s height, size, speed, and skill level, watching him develop into one of the Pac-12’s best players as the program fights back to the 10-win seasons last seen under Jeff Tedford in the early 2000’s will be fun to watch over the next couple of years.