2024 DL BJ Canady commits to California Golden Bears

Topeka (Kan.) three-star defensive lineman BJ Canady has committed to Cal.

He chose the Golden Bears over Kansas and Kansas State. He also held offers from the likes of Nebraska, Tennessee and Washington.

Canady is the No. 527 overall prospect in the 2024 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He’s also the No. 47 DL and No. 2 player in Kansas.

The 6-foot-6, 235-pounder had taken multiple visits to both of his in-state finalists, but ultimately the incoming ACC program in Berkeley won out. He’s now the highest-ranked commit in Cal’s 2024 recruiting class, which ranks No. 15 in the ACC.

Canady does not currently have an On3 NIL Valuation. The On3 NIL Valuation is the industry’s leading index that sets high school and college athletes’ projected annual value (PAV). The NIL valuation does not act as a tracker of the value of NIL deals an athlete has completed to date. It rather signifies an athlete’s value at a certain moment in time.

About Cal’s 2024 recruiting class

Seattle Garfield three-star athlete Rahshawn Clark was the highest-ranked player in Cal’s class, checking in as the No. 638 overall prospect, No. 22 athlete and No. 8 player in Washington in the country. Joining Clark is his high school teammate, three-star quarterback EJ Caminong, the No. 42 signal-caller in the class. On3’s Matt Zenitz included the QB as one of the “22 unheralded recruits college football staffers are high on.”

“Really good player. Was surprised he ended up at Cal. Good arm action. Compact action. Strong arm,” an anonymous Power 5 staffer told Zenitz.

The 6-foot-2, 195-pounder held offers from Washington, Texas A&M, BYU and others, but opted to pledge to Cal on June 27. Offensive coordinator Jake Spavital led the Bears’ recruitment, which included an official visit to Berkley just before his commitment.

Before Canady, Mansfield (Texas) Summit three-star defensive lineman Legend Journey was the latest to pledge to the Golden Bears, doing so on Aug. 26. He chose Cal while holding offers from the likes of Oklahoma State, SMU, TCU, Ole Miss and Texas Tech. He’s the No. 100 DL and No. 172 player in Texas this cycle.

Five of the 12 commits are from the Lone Star State, including Journey, Stafford three-star running back Jamaal Wiley, Trophy Club Byron Nelson three-star linebacker Eze Osondu, Austin Westlake three-star interior offensive lineman Tyler Knape and Houston St. Thomas three-star DL Michael-Anthony Okwura.

Four of Cal’s pledges are in-state: Oxnard Pacifica three-star safety Dayton Aupiu, Modesto Central Catholic three-star safety Brooklyn Cheek, Lafayette Acalanes three-star wide receiver Trevor Rogers and Pasadena three-star tight end Camden Jones.