Harbor’s Whiteside almost a Golden Bear

Standout junior outside linebacker Cecil Whiteside is leaning toward verbally committing to play football at UC Berkeley after an unofficial weekend visit with Coach Jeff Tedford, Newport Harbor High Coach Jeff Brinkley said Friday.

“He went up there and had a good trip and he’s close to committing,” Brinkley said of the 6-foot-3, 207-pound Whiteside. “Nothing is official yet. All indications are that’s going to happen, he’s on the verge of committing.

“He wanted to come home and think about it before making a decision.”

Brinkley said Whiteside, a first-team All-Sunset League selection, has received offers from Nebraska, Texas A&M;, Washington, San Diego State, Utah and Colorado. USC and UCLA are interested as well.

Whiteside turned in a stellar junior season, helping the Sailors (7-3, 3-2 in league) to a share of the Sunset League championship. He earned many honors, from second-team multi-purpose CalHiSports.com All-State Underclass Football Team for juniors and the Newport-Mesa Dream Team Defensive Player of the Year award.

Whiteside recorded 55 tackles and led the Sailors with six sacks, eight hurries and two blocked punts last season.

As a wide receiver, Whiteside finished with 33 catches for 429 yards and seven touchdowns.

Whiteside is also No. 8 in the nation in the discus, according to dyestatcal.com. Last season, he placed sixth in the discus event at the CIF State track and field championships.

“The offers keep coming in almost every day,” Brinkley said. “It’s been hard because he’s trying to focus on throwing.”

— David Carrillo Peñaloza