Recruiting: California and Josh McNeil

Four-star tight end Josh McNeil is one of the most highly regarded TEs in the 2013 recruiting class. TE-rich Notre Dame undoubtedly made McNeil’s top 12, and the California Golden Bears are also in his list of finalists. The other ten teams in the North Carolina recruit’s top 12? East Carolina, N.C. State, Ohio State, Alabama, Florida, South Carolina, Clemson, Oregon, Georgia, and Miami.

Josh McNeil is 6’5″ and weighs 240 pounds with a forty yard time of 4.6. He hails from Durham, North Carolina and goes to Hillside High. McNeil has an extensive list of offers from Alabama, Cal, Clemson, East Carolina, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Miami, Minnesota, Ole Miss, N.C. State, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oregon, Pittsburgh, South Carolina, USF, Syracuse, Tennessee, UCF, Vanderbilt, and Wake Forest.

He is one of the best recruits in the state of North Carolina and one of the top 200 players in the 2013 recruiting class. Josh McNeil has great hands and speed, and he also has very good size for the position. However, McNeil is a liability as a blocker and isn’t a refined route-runner yet, but he has a high amount of raw talent and has star potential with the right coaching. His speed and hands point to him becoming an impactful pass-catcher, but the most worrisome thing is that he looks out of place as a blocker.

Still, the four-star TE has only played one year of high school ball and has already shown that he is one of the best pass-catching tight ends in this class with his elite hands. Josh McNeil’s upside is apparent, and all indications are that he’ll get better and become at least a quality starter in college. The route-running deficiencies will be corrected as he plays more, because it’s only due to a lack of experience. The blocking is also something that will be corrected with time, and he is the 7th best TE in this recruiting class. It’s easy to love his ability to make plays, and there is a reason why he is such a popular recruit.

The 2013 Under Armour All-American Game selection caught 58 passes for 575 yards and six touchdowns last year, and the defending champs, Alabama Crimson Tide, have a high amount of interest in him. Josh McNeil’s new list of favorites is encouraging for Cal fans, but there are so many teams involved for this talented tight end.