Cal Adds James Looney to 2014 Recruiting Class
BERKELEY – Head coach Sonny Dykes announced Wednesday that DT James Looney (Lake Worth, FL/Wake Forest/Lake Worth HS) has signed a financial aid agreement with Cal and been added to the school’s 24-player 2014 recruiting class. Looney is the younger brother of current San Francisco 49ers offensive lineman Joe Looney, who was an All-ACC selection at Wake Forest and a fourth-round pick of the NFL team in the 2012 draft.
Looney played in six games off the bench as a true freshman at Wake Forest in 2013 and was a projected starter in 2014 for the Demon Deacons. He contributed three tackles, 0.5 sacks (-2 yards), 0.5 tackles for loss (-2 yards) and one fumble recovery in his lone season with the Demon Deacons. Looney will have four years to play three seasons at Cal.
He was a four-year starter at Lake Worth High School in Florida and a first-team Associated Press All-State Class 7A selection during his 2012 senior season.
“We are excited that James is joining the Cal football program,” head coach Sonny Dykes said. “It is critical that we continue to recruit and develop players in the trenches to improve on both sides of the ball. James will help us do that on the defensive line and is also an excellent student that will fit into our program nicely both on the field and off.”
Cal’s 24-player class includes 14 defensive players and 10 on the offensive side of the ball, with 15 players from California, two from both Arizona and Texas, and one each from Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Pennsylvania and Washington.
James Looney, DT, 6-3, 275, So., TR
Lake Worth, FL (Wake Forest/Lake Worth HS)
2013 RECRUITING CLASS
► Stars: 247Composite (3), 247Sports (3), ESPN (3), Rivals (3), Scout (3)
► National Overall Player Ratings: 247Sports (966)
► National Defensive Tackle Ratings: 247Sports Composite (60), ESPN (81), 247Sports (87)
► National Defensive End Ratings: Scout (118)
► Regional Overall Player Ratings: ESPN (492)
► Florida Overall Player Ratings: 247Composite (136), ESPN (182), 247Sports (196)
► Ratings/Scout Grades: 247Sports Composite (0.8397), 247Sports (82), ESPN (74), Rivals (5.6)
BIO INFORMATION
Wake Forest (2013)
► A projected starter as a defensive tackle for the 2014 season before leaving the program following spring workouts
► Played in six games off the bench during his single season as a true freshman in 2013, contributing three tackles, 0.5 sacks (-2 yards), 0.5 tackles for loss (-2 yards) and one fumble recovery
► Entered the school as a mid-year enrollee in January of 2013
► Practiced with the Demon Deacons during the spring in both 2013 and 2014
► Recorded an unofficial 4.79 in the 40-yard dash during the 2013 preseason
Lake Worth HS (2009-12)
► A four-year varsity player who started all four seasons on the offensive line and the final two and a half on the defensive line
► Served as team captain as a 2012 senior but missed three games due to injury
► Recorded six tackles, 3.0 sacks and had three forced fumbles against Olympic Heights as a senior, as well as 2.0 sacks and one forced fumble against Atlantic High
► Graduated in December of 2012 before joining Wake Forest as a mid-year enrollee in January of 2013
► A first-team Associated Press All-State Class 7A on the offensive line as a senior
► Rated the No. 14 player on the Palm Beach County Big Board during senior season
► Two-time first-team All-Palm Beach County on offense as a junior and senior
► Member of the Sun-Sentinel Super 11 for his play on both offense and defense as a senior during both the preseason and following the campaign
► Recorded 60 tackles and 2.0 sacks during his junior campaign while playing about half of the defensive snaps and was a full-time starter on the offensive line
► Team finished 9-3 and reached the second round of the Class 5A state playoffs as a 2010 sophomore after a 6-4 campaign during his 2009 freshman year
► Played prep football for head coach Errick Lowe
► Also participated all for four prep seasons on the track and weightlifting teams
Other
► Born May 15, 1995
► Son of James and Marilyn Looney
► Named the “Biggest Catch” of Wake Forest’s 2012 recruiting class by Rivals
► Rated No. 103 overall on the FlaVarsity 160 in June of 2012 prior to his senior prep campaign
► Named a “sleeper” at the 2012 Miami Nike Football Training Camp
► Hobbies include playing basketball and golf
► Brother, Joe Looney, is an offensive lineman for the San Francisco 49ers who was selected by the NFL club in the fourth round of the 2012 NFL Draft after being a second-team All-ACC selection as a 2011 senior at Wake Forest
WHAT THEY ARE SAYING
ESPN
“Looney displays a solid burst off the ball. Does a good job of being able to fire out low and can play with good pad level. Displays the ability to bring his hands and can be tough at the point of attack.”
Rivals
“Very quick off the ball in pass rush. Looney plays strong-side defensive end and sheds the blocker quickly. Good footwork.”
Scout
“It is clear that he is a hard working young man and that bodes well for his future … Looney has a great motor and was more explosive than anticipated.”