A coveted recruit chooses Berkeley
Alius Mayo, a 6‑foot‑4, 190‑pound defensive back from Modesto Junior College, announced his commitment to the University of California, Berkeley, this week, sending a ripple through the Pac‑12 recruiting landscape.
Mayo’s path to Berkeley began at Lincoln High School in Stockton, where he earned first‑team All‑Conference honors after a standout season that included 30 tackles, one interception and five pass breakups in just 11 games.
Before landing at Modesto, the prospect fielded interest from a handful of Division I programs, including Fresno State, Sacramento State, Portland State and UC Davis, before opting to hone his skills in the junior college ranks.
Standing at 6‑4 and clocking a 44‑inch vertical leap, Mayo also boasts a 3.6 GPA, underscoring a rare blend of physical tools and academic discipline that appeals to Cal’s coaching staff.
He will enroll at Cal in January 2027, joining the Bears for spring practice as an early enrollee, a timeline that gives the program a head start in integrating him into the defensive scheme.
The recruitment battle was fierce; Alabama, Louisville, Arizona State, LSU and Mississippi State all pursued Mayo, but the Bears ultimately secured his pledge, a coup that reflects the program’s growing appeal.
Modesto Junior College, where Mayo finished the 2023 season with a 9‑3 record before falling in the Northern California Football Conference championship, will see one of its top talents move on to the Pac‑12.
University officials have highlighted the addition as a strategic boost for a defense that aims to rebuild after a challenging previous season, noting that Mayo’s size and ball‑hawking instincts could shore up the secondary.