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Cal’s receiving corps got a boost in their opener against Utah, as true freshmen Geoff McArthur and Chase Lyman made several outstanding catches and redshirt freshman James Smith showed that he can catch the ball after all. But that didn’t stop wideout recruit John Rust from verbally committing to play at Cal next year. 

“The academics are great, and with their wide receiver situation a little shaky, I think there’s a good chance that I could play right away,” Rust said Tuesday. 

Rust, a 6-5, 200-pound three-sport star from Lake Oswego, Ore., caught 48 balls for 1,070 yards and nine touchdowns last year, earning his first team all-league, second team all-state and Junior All-American honors. He is considered one of the top all-around athletes on the west coast, lettering in football, basketball and track since his sophomore year. 

“I really liked the school when I went on an unofficial visit there over the summer,” Rust said. “I told myself I would probably commit the next time they call, and that’s just what happened.” 

Rust was also being recruited by UCLA, USC and Michigan, among others. 

Cal has now grabbed verbal commitments from seven recruits, and all but Rust are from California.