Biggs assembles his final recruiting class
By: Brett Rodriguez
aggiesportstalk.com@gmail.com
Published: February 1, 2012 - 9:33 PM
After nineteen years of recruiting the future of UC Davis football, head coach Bob Biggs has assembled his final class. Today, thirteen high school seniors from across California signed national letters of intent to play football for the Aggies.
At tonight’s Signing Day party in the Bruce Edwards Club Room at Aggie Stadium, around seventy five alumni, fans, coaches and athletic department staff assembled to get a first glance at players who will soon be wearing Aggie blue and gold.
Biggs commented on how much the recruiting process has changed in the two decades he has been head coach. Today, players use recruiting services to get their names out to college coaches and post their highlight videos on YouTube. Throughout all the changes, one constant has remained, “Academics are still a key component of recruiting to UC Davis” commented Coach Biggs as he addressed the crowd.
The Aggies led the Great West Conference with a multi-year APR score of 964, which would have led the Big Sky as well, UC Davis’ future football conference.
Armando Ceja-Lua, a 6’5” 300 pound offensive lineman who will attend UC Davis in the fall, struck a chord with Coach Biggs during a phone conversation where he offered Ceja-Lua a scholarship to play football. Ceja-Lua, the son of immigrants, will be the first in his family to obtain a four-year college degree. His mother began to cry when Coach Biggs offered her son the chance to play football for the Aggies as well as the opportunity to attend one of the best public institutions in the country. Coach Biggs said that he was overcome with emotion during the process as well.
Academics represent one half of the equation, finding quality athletes in a hyper-competitive recruiting state is the other half. With only 13 graduating seniors, this year’s recruiting class is smaller than previous years. But what this group lacks in numbers, they make up for in talent. Biggs said that one aspect of the team that had to be addressed was the lack of explosiveness at the wide receiver position, or as he put it, “We needed to find some difference makers.” Biggs expects Delvin Alexander and speedster Ramon Vargas to fill that void. The coaching staff landed the top three wide receivers they pursued.
Asked if any of the recruits would see playing time next year, Biggs simply answered, “No.”
But who will be starting under center for the Aggies next year? Biggs admitted that he was, “a little hard-headed and should have played London Lacy a little more than he did.” Going into spring camp, the starting job is up in the air.
One question that many Aggie fans have been asking is why did Coach Biggs announce his retirement so early and what affect would it have on recruiting? To Biggs, it was about being honest. Biggs emphasized that while some schools tried to use his retirement against the Ags, he believe that it helped UC Davis land some of their top recruits. “I couldn’t sit in a recruit’s living room and talk to him about the future of the program knowing I wasn’t going to be around next year.” “One thing that will not change are the values of the program. What began with Sochor and Foster have continued and will continue to the next coach,” he said.
As for the Aggies schedule next year, he said that joining the Big Sky will establish great rivalries and allow the fan base to become familiar with opponents.
When asked if the Big Sky Championship party will be held in the Bruce Edwards Club Room, Biggs responded, “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.”
One thing is for certain, the Big Sky will not be a cake walk.
Photo Credit: Andrew Vargas
aggiesportstalk.com@gmail.com
Published: February 1, 2012 - 9:33 PM
After nineteen years of recruiting the future of UC Davis football, head coach Bob Biggs has assembled his final class. Today, thirteen high school seniors from across California signed national letters of intent to play football for the Aggies.
At tonight’s Signing Day party in the Bruce Edwards Club Room at Aggie Stadium, around seventy five alumni, fans, coaches and athletic department staff assembled to get a first glance at players who will soon be wearing Aggie blue and gold.
Biggs commented on how much the recruiting process has changed in the two decades he has been head coach. Today, players use recruiting services to get their names out to college coaches and post their highlight videos on YouTube. Throughout all the changes, one constant has remained, “Academics are still a key component of recruiting to UC Davis” commented Coach Biggs as he addressed the crowd.
The Aggies led the Great West Conference with a multi-year APR score of 964, which would have led the Big Sky as well, UC Davis’ future football conference.
Armando Ceja-Lua, a 6’5” 300 pound offensive lineman who will attend UC Davis in the fall, struck a chord with Coach Biggs during a phone conversation where he offered Ceja-Lua a scholarship to play football. Ceja-Lua, the son of immigrants, will be the first in his family to obtain a four-year college degree. His mother began to cry when Coach Biggs offered her son the chance to play football for the Aggies as well as the opportunity to attend one of the best public institutions in the country. Coach Biggs said that he was overcome with emotion during the process as well.
Academics represent one half of the equation, finding quality athletes in a hyper-competitive recruiting state is the other half. With only 13 graduating seniors, this year’s recruiting class is smaller than previous years. But what this group lacks in numbers, they make up for in talent. Biggs said that one aspect of the team that had to be addressed was the lack of explosiveness at the wide receiver position, or as he put it, “We needed to find some difference makers.” Biggs expects Delvin Alexander and speedster Ramon Vargas to fill that void. The coaching staff landed the top three wide receivers they pursued.
Asked if any of the recruits would see playing time next year, Biggs simply answered, “No.”
But who will be starting under center for the Aggies next year? Biggs admitted that he was, “a little hard-headed and should have played London Lacy a little more than he did.” Going into spring camp, the starting job is up in the air.
One question that many Aggie fans have been asking is why did Coach Biggs announce his retirement so early and what affect would it have on recruiting? To Biggs, it was about being honest. Biggs emphasized that while some schools tried to use his retirement against the Ags, he believe that it helped UC Davis land some of their top recruits. “I couldn’t sit in a recruit’s living room and talk to him about the future of the program knowing I wasn’t going to be around next year.” “One thing that will not change are the values of the program. What began with Sochor and Foster have continued and will continue to the next coach,” he said.
As for the Aggies schedule next year, he said that joining the Big Sky will establish great rivalries and allow the fan base to become familiar with opponents.
When asked if the Big Sky Championship party will be held in the Bruce Edwards Club Room, Biggs responded, “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.”
One thing is for certain, the Big Sky will not be a cake walk.
Photo Credit: Andrew Vargas
UC Davis Verbal Commits
By: Brett Rodriguez
aggiesportstalk.com@gmail.com
Published: January 29, 2012 - 10:15 PM
UPDATED: January 20, 2012 - 7:46 PM
Coach Bob Biggs will announce his final recruiting class this Wednesday. There will be an official event at the Bruce Edwards Club Room at Aggie Stadium beginning at 5 pm.
Below is a list of players who have verball committed to play football at UC Davis. If you find/hear of a player who has verbally committed to UC Davis, send us an email at AggieSportsTalk.com@gmail.com.
QB Ben Scott 6'3" 185 lbs.
Fairfield, CA
Vanden High School
Scott led the Vikings to a 7-4 record in his senior campaign. He completed 62% of his passes for 2,809 yards, threw 34 touchdowns, with only 9 interceptions. Scott's senior campaign was his third consecutive 2,000 yard season, becoming Fairfield's all-time leading passer.
OL Kevin Gavigan 6'4" 260 lbs.
Redlands, CA
Redlands High School
Kevin Gavigan looks to join an improving offensive line that had started to the corner under first year assistant Brad Bedell. Former Aggie Tim Keane has assumed control of the offensive line, after Bedell's departure to New Mexico State. Gavigan was one of four team captains for the Terriers, who finished 4-7.
Highlight Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SnpaJz3NJBE
K Marcus White 6'0" 200 lbs.
Elk Grove, CA
Pleasant Grove High School
White looks to assume kicking duties after the graduation of 4 year starter Sean Kelley. Marcus White led the state in touchbacks this year with 91 and averaged 42 yards per punt.
White's father, Russ, was a tight end who played under Coach Biggs.
Highlight Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PRYO6XFA1I8
LB Russell Reader 6'3" 190 lbs.
San Diego, CA
Cathedral Catholic High School
Cathedral Catholic finished their 2011 season with a 12-1 record, finishing atop the San Diego Division III Section. Reader tallied a season high 13 solo tackles against St. Augustine. Reader also finished with 4.5 sacks and 4 interceptions.
WR/DB Patrick Wells 5'11" 180 lbs.
Woodland Hills, CA
Taft High School
Patrick Wells helped lead the Toreadors to a Los Angeles Section playoff birth in his senior season. The Toreadors lost to eventual section runner-up Carson High School in the semi finals.
Wells was voted to the All-City First Team Division I team by the Los Angeles Times. He doesn't lack speed and was clocked with a 4.46 40 his junior year.
Highlight videos: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cTaBggTJdu8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zwQbCbNpqH8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oI64NxfmIyk
WR Oliver Vargas 6'3" 180 lbs.
Huntington Beach, CA
Huntington Beach High School
Vargas caught 57 passes for 841 and 9 touchdowns in his senior campaign. He also played cornerback and was a kick returner, tallying 23 solo tackles, 4 interceptions and 2 sacks. The speedster averaged 27 yards per kick return, an area the Aggies have been lacking in recent years.
Highlight Videos: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/199869/ramon-vargas
aggiesportstalk.com@gmail.com
Published: January 29, 2012 - 10:15 PM
UPDATED: January 20, 2012 - 7:46 PM
Coach Bob Biggs will announce his final recruiting class this Wednesday. There will be an official event at the Bruce Edwards Club Room at Aggie Stadium beginning at 5 pm.
Below is a list of players who have verball committed to play football at UC Davis. If you find/hear of a player who has verbally committed to UC Davis, send us an email at AggieSportsTalk.com@gmail.com.
QB Ben Scott 6'3" 185 lbs.
Fairfield, CA
Vanden High School
Scott led the Vikings to a 7-4 record in his senior campaign. He completed 62% of his passes for 2,809 yards, threw 34 touchdowns, with only 9 interceptions. Scott's senior campaign was his third consecutive 2,000 yard season, becoming Fairfield's all-time leading passer.
OL Kevin Gavigan 6'4" 260 lbs.
Redlands, CA
Redlands High School
Kevin Gavigan looks to join an improving offensive line that had started to the corner under first year assistant Brad Bedell. Former Aggie Tim Keane has assumed control of the offensive line, after Bedell's departure to New Mexico State. Gavigan was one of four team captains for the Terriers, who finished 4-7.
Highlight Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SnpaJz3NJBE
K Marcus White 6'0" 200 lbs.
Elk Grove, CA
Pleasant Grove High School
White looks to assume kicking duties after the graduation of 4 year starter Sean Kelley. Marcus White led the state in touchbacks this year with 91 and averaged 42 yards per punt.
White's father, Russ, was a tight end who played under Coach Biggs.
Highlight Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PRYO6XFA1I8
LB Russell Reader 6'3" 190 lbs.
San Diego, CA
Cathedral Catholic High School
Cathedral Catholic finished their 2011 season with a 12-1 record, finishing atop the San Diego Division III Section. Reader tallied a season high 13 solo tackles against St. Augustine. Reader also finished with 4.5 sacks and 4 interceptions.
WR/DB Patrick Wells 5'11" 180 lbs.
Woodland Hills, CA
Taft High School
Patrick Wells helped lead the Toreadors to a Los Angeles Section playoff birth in his senior season. The Toreadors lost to eventual section runner-up Carson High School in the semi finals.
Wells was voted to the All-City First Team Division I team by the Los Angeles Times. He doesn't lack speed and was clocked with a 4.46 40 his junior year.
Highlight videos: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cTaBggTJdu8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zwQbCbNpqH8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oI64NxfmIyk
WR Oliver Vargas 6'3" 180 lbs.
Huntington Beach, CA
Huntington Beach High School
Vargas caught 57 passes for 841 and 9 touchdowns in his senior campaign. He also played cornerback and was a kick returner, tallying 23 solo tackles, 4 interceptions and 2 sacks. The speedster averaged 27 yards per kick return, an area the Aggies have been lacking in recent years.
Highlight Videos: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/199869/ramon-vargas
Is UC Davis headed to Provo to take on BYU?
By: Brett Rodriguez
aggiesportstalk.com@gmail.com
Published: January 13, 2012 - 12:46 PM
A recent post on the AggieSportsTalk.com message board indicated that the Aggies would be taking on BYU in Provo, Utah during the 2012 football season. Neither school has released their official schedules, however, according to www.fbsschedules.com, BYU has a full schedule. Just recently, BYU finalized an agreement for a home and home with Pac 12 member Washington State, beginning in 2012.
The Cougars also have games scheduled against former Mountain West opponents Hawaii, in state rival Utah and Boise State and former WAC conference mates San Jose State, Utah State, Idaho, San Jose State and New Mexico State. Pac 12 member Oregon State is also listed as a 2012 opponent.
Calls were placed to the UC Davis and BYU athletic departments and neither school was aware of UC Davis being added to the schedule. UC Davis football Sports Information Director Ryan Burns said that the Aggie Football schedule would be announced later this month or in February.
UC Davis and BYU have met five times on the gridiron, with the last meeting in 1937. The Aggies and Cougars are tied in the all time series at 2-2-1.
BYU left the Mountain West conference to become one of four FBS independent teams in the country, with Notre Dame, Army and Navy being the other three schools. The Cougars have joined the West Coast Conference in all other sports.
Photo Credit: Mitch Harper, CougarCenter.net
aggiesportstalk.com@gmail.com
Published: January 13, 2012 - 12:46 PM
A recent post on the AggieSportsTalk.com message board indicated that the Aggies would be taking on BYU in Provo, Utah during the 2012 football season. Neither school has released their official schedules, however, according to www.fbsschedules.com, BYU has a full schedule. Just recently, BYU finalized an agreement for a home and home with Pac 12 member Washington State, beginning in 2012.
The Cougars also have games scheduled against former Mountain West opponents Hawaii, in state rival Utah and Boise State and former WAC conference mates San Jose State, Utah State, Idaho, San Jose State and New Mexico State. Pac 12 member Oregon State is also listed as a 2012 opponent.
Calls were placed to the UC Davis and BYU athletic departments and neither school was aware of UC Davis being added to the schedule. UC Davis football Sports Information Director Ryan Burns said that the Aggie Football schedule would be announced later this month or in February.
UC Davis and BYU have met five times on the gridiron, with the last meeting in 1937. The Aggies and Cougars are tied in the all time series at 2-2-1.
BYU left the Mountain West conference to become one of four FBS independent teams in the country, with Notre Dame, Army and Navy being the other three schools. The Cougars have joined the West Coast Conference in all other sports.
Photo Credit: Mitch Harper, CougarCenter.net
