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San Francisco Chronicle
a day ago
- Sport
- San Francisco Chronicle
Marshawn Lynch, star running back at Cal, on College Football Hall of Fame ballot
Marshawn Lynch, the second-leading rusher in the history of Cal football, is among those on the ballot for the 2026 College Football Hall of Fame. The National Football Foundation released the ballot Monday for the class that will be announced in January. It includes 79 players and nine coaches from the Football Bowl Subdivision and 100 players and 35 coaches from lower levels. Lynch, who made the short trek from Oakland Tech High School to Berkeley, played three seasons with the Bears (2004-06), piling up 3,230 yards and 29 rushing touchdowns. He also caught 68 passes for another 600 yards and six TDs. Lynch trails Cal career rushing leader Russell White (1990-92) by 16 yards. After collecting 775 scrimmage yards and 10 TDs as a freshman, Lynch added another 10 TDs and 1,371 scrimmage yards as a sophomore before capping his career with a 1,684-yard, 15-TD junior season that included a Pac-10-leading 1,356 rushing yards. Lynch entered the NFL draft instead of playing his senior season at Cal and was taken 12th in the first round by Buffalo. In 12 NFL seasons, including two with the Raiders, he rushed for 10,413 yards and 85 TDs. Lynch is joined on the ballot by Heisman Trophy winners Mark Ingram, Cam Newton and Robert Griffin III and former AP National Player of the Year Ndamukong Suh. Ingram became Alabama's first Heisman winner in 2009 after running for 1,658 yards and 20 touchdowns. Newton in 2010 was just the third player in FBS history with 20 passing and 20 rushing touchdowns. Griffin in 2011 led the nation in points responsible for and ranked second in total offense. Suh was a force for Nebraska in 2009 and became the first defensive lineman in 15 seasons to be named a finalist for the Heisman Trophy. He finished fourth in voting but was honored as the nation's top player by The Associated Press. Among other players on the ballot are Iowa's Brad Banks, Colorado's Eric Bieniemy, Oklahoma State's Dez Bryant, Penn State's Ki-Jana Carter, Pittsburgh's Aaron Donald, Syracuse's Marvin Harrison, Oklahoma's Josh Heupel, Ohio State's James Laurinaitis, Washington State's Ryan Leaf,Illinois' Simeon Rice and Florida State's Peter Warrick. Among coaches on the ballot are Larry Coker, Gary Patterson and Chris Petersen. Coker led the Canes to consecutive national championship games and won the 2002 Rose Bowl to become the first rookie head coach to lead his team to a title since 1948. Patterson is TCU's all-time wins leader who led the Horned Frogs to six AP top 10 final rankings. Petersen is Boise State's all-time wins leader who led the Broncos to two undefeated seasons and led Washington to the 2016 College Football Playoff. The NFF also announced an adjustment to the eligibility criteria for coaches to be considered for induction. The minimum career winning percentage required for coaching eligibility will go from .600 to .595 beginning in 2027. The change would make Mike Leach eligible. Leach, who died in 2022, had a .596 winning percentage with a 158-107 record over 21 seasons at Texas Tech, Washington State and Mississippi State.
Fox Sports
a day ago
- Sport
- Fox Sports
College football transfer portal all-impact team: John Mateer headlines offense
Thanks to the creation and proliferation of the transfer portal, player acquisition in college football now takes on a life of its own every winter and every spring. Coaches across the country — including those whose seasons haven't yet ended — begin remaking their rosters during the initial December transfer window and tweak them once more during a subsequent flurry of movement each April. Though equal parts maddening, exciting and unrelenting, the transfer portal has shown just how quickly programs can now change the trajectory of their seasons with a couple fistfuls of shrewd additions. Michigan received key contributions from all nine transfers the Wolverines added before winning the national championship in 2023. Indiana flipped the guts of its roster in one offseason and then reached the College Football Playoff for the first time in school history under new coach Curt Cignetti. Identifying which transfers might make the largest contributions in 2025 is, of course, a subjective exercise — but a fun one nonetheless. It's a task rooted in the amalgamation of past production, future opportunity and the projection of how certain individuals might mesh with new coaches, teammates and schemes to influence the landscape of college football. With that in mind, here's a look at our transfer portal all-impact team on the offensive side of the ball: *Transfer Portal rankings courtesy of Quarterback John Mateer, Oklahoma via Washington State (No. 6 transfer, No. 3 QB) Mateer faced the two-prong challenge of simultaneously replacing superstar Cam Ward, who transferred to Miami ahead of the 2024 campaign, and guiding Washington State into the unknown following the collapse of the Pac-12 conference. The former three-star recruit handled both situations with aplomb by blossoming into arguably the top dual-threat quarterback in the country amid an eight-win season. Mateer completed 224 of 347 passes (64.6%) for 3,139 yards, 29 touchdowns and only seven interceptions while also rushing for 826 yards — including two 100-yard games — and 15 additional scores. He is listed as a redshirt junior for the Sooners and will be joined at Oklahoma by former Washington State offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle, whom head coach Brent Venables hired to fill the same role. The continuity between Mateer and Arbuckle is a big reason why Oklahoma's offense is expected to make a significant leap forward in 2025 after uneven quarterback play from Jackson Arnold and Michael Hawkins Jr. last season, with the former ultimately leaving for Auburn. Fernando Mendoza, Indiana via Cal (No. 22 transfer, No. 4 QB) Mendoza arrived at Cal as a two-star prospect ranked outside the top 2,000 players in the 2022 recruiting cycle, devoid of additional power-conference scholarship offers. He redshirted later that fall before moving into the starting role partway through the 2023 campaign, playing well enough in nine appearances to earn honorable mention Offensive Freshman of the Year recognition from the Pac-12 coaches. He took another step forward in 2024 during Cal's debut season as a member of the ACC, propelling the Bears to consecutive bowl games for just the second time in the last 15 years. Mendoza completed 265 of 386 passes (68.7%) for 3,004 yards, 16 touchdowns and six interceptions to become one of the most sought-after quarterbacks in the portal. He'll attempt to follow in the footsteps of former Ohio transfer Kurtis Rourke, who turned in the best season of his career under first-year Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti and helped guide the Hoosiers to the College Football Playoff. Both of Indiana's leading receivers — Elijah Sarratt (957 yards, 8 TDs) and Omar Cooper Jr. (594 yards, 7 TDs) — are back for another year. Running back Justice Haynes, Michigan via Alabama (No. 42 transfer, No. 1 RB) At Michigan, the first season of life after All-American tailback Blake Corum, who was drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in 2024, resulted in a timeshare between bruising runner Kalel Mullings (948 yards, 12 TDs) and enigmatic speedster Donovan Edwards (589 yards, 4 TDs). The result was a rushing offense that finished 73rd nationally after ranking 55th in 2023, fifth in 2022 and 15th in 2021 as former coach Jim Harbaugh elevated his alma mater to three consecutive College Football Playoff appearances. With both Mullings and Edwards moving on to the NFL, there was a significant vacancy in the run-heavy system preferred by head coach Sherrone Moore. The Wolverines are hoping that Haynes, a former five-star recruit in the 2023 cycle, can shine in the kind of leading role he never occupied at Alabama. Now a junior, Haynes finished third on the Crimson Tide in rushing last season (448 yards, seven TDs) behind quarterback Jalen Milroe (726 yards, 20 TDs) and fellow tailback Jam Miller (668 yards, seven TDs) after playing a small role his freshman year. Makhi Hughes, Oregon via Tulane (No. 117 transfer, No. 7 RB) Hughes was a three-star prospect and the No. 1,149 overall player in the 2022 recruiting cycle when he committed to Tulane over a list of suitors that only included two power-conference programs: Florida State and Kansas. Though an injury sidelined Hughes for the entirety of his freshman season, he quickly established himself as one of the most productive tailbacks in the country over the last two years. Hughes was named AAC Rookie of the Year after carrying 258 times for 1,378 yards and seven touchdowns amid an 11-3 campaign in 2023, at which point head coach Willie Fritz left for Houston, and Hughes bettered those numbers last fall when he carried 265 times for 1,401 yards and 15 touchdowns to earn first-team All-AAC recognition. So while his new team, the Ducks, lost leading rusher Jordan James (1,267 yards, 15 TDs) to the NFL, the one-two punch of Hughes and returning veteran Noah Whittington (540 yards, six TDs) should be among the strongest tandems in the Big Ten this season. Wide receiver Eric Singleton Jr., Auburn via Georgia Tech (No. 5 transfer, No. 1 WR) A former high school state champion in the 100-, 200- and 400-meter dashes, Singleton enjoyed two highly productive seasons at Georgia Tech despite playing in an offense predicated on running the football under head coach Brent Key. He earned freshman All-American honors in 2023 after catching 48 passes for 714 yards and six touchdowns, numbers that were good enough for him to finish second in ACC Offensive Rookie of the Year voting. His production was nearly identical during a 7-6 campaign last fall — resulting in the Yellow Jackets' first trip to a bowl game since 2018 — when he snagged 56 passes for 754 yards and three scores to become the highest-ranked wideout in the portal. A noteworthy end to the season included a two-game stretch with 13 catches for 192 yards and a score against NC State on Nov. 21 and then-No. 7 Georgia on Nov. 29. Singleton will now form an electric tandem with former five-star receiver Cam Coleman, who would have garnered far more attention last fall when he caught 37 passes for 598 yards and eight scores as a true freshman were it not for the exploits of Jeremiah Smith at Ohio State and Ryan Williams at Alabama. Nic Anderson, LSU via Oklahoma (No. 9 overall, No. 3 WR) Rated the No. 243 overall prospect in 2022, Anderson was a four-star recruit from the suburbs of Houston who chose the Sooners over additional scholarship offers from nearly every blue-blood program: Notre Dame, Penn State, Oregon, USC, Auburn, Miami, Michigan, Tennessee and Texas, among others. He did not catch a pass in three appearances as a true freshman but exploded onto the scene as a redshirt freshman in 2023 during quarterback Dillon Gabriel's final season at Oklahoma. Anderson established himself as a dynamic, field-tilting threat with an average of 21 yards per reception — fifth-best in the nation — on 38 catches. He finished second on the team in receiving yards with 798 and was tied for the team lead with 10 touchdowns, which also tied for the most in the country among freshmen. A significant quadriceps injury sidelined Anderson for most of the 2024 season and prompted him to enter the transfer portal, ultimately landing at LSU. He should become an important target for an offense that ranked seventh in the country in passing last season (315.2 yards per game) and returns quarterback Garrett Nussmeier for a second season as the Tigers' starter. Trebor Pena, Penn State via Syracuse (No. 129 overall, No. 26 WR) Arguably the most prominent storyline surrounding Penn State's offseason has been the incredible retention efforts by head coach James Franklin and his staff to preserve the nucleus of a 2022 recruiting class that ranked sixth in the nation. The Nittany Lions convinced quarterback Drew Allar, tailbacks Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen, edge rusher Dani Dennis-Sutton and defensive tackle Zane Durant all to come back for what many expect to be a national championship-level roster this fall. But the one position where such efforts fell short is wide receiver, where leading wideouts Harrison Wallace III (720 yards, four TDs) and Omari Evans (415 yards, five TDs) both entered the portal. Penn State began addressing that glaring need — which has become a perennial thorn in Franklin's side — in the December transfer window by adding Kyron Hudson from USC (No. 261 transfer, No. 36 WR) and Devonte Ross from Troy (No. 524 transfer, No. 99 WR). But the room lacked any sort of legitimate pop until Pena, who caught 84 passes for 941 yards and nine touchdowns last season, committed to the Nittany Lions in late April. He has the potential to be a difference maker on the perimeter. Tight end Max Klare, Ohio State via Purdue (No. 17 overall, No. 1 TE) The assembly line of high-end receivers that has pumped through Ohio State for the better part of a decade almost always usurps the involvement of Buckeye tight ends. In 2019, during Ryan Day's first season as head coach, no tight end caught more than 14 passes, while wideouts Chris Olave (first-round pick), Garrett Wilson (first-round pick) and KJ Hill Jr. (seventh-round pick) all snagged at least 30 passes. In 2020, during a pandemic-shortened campaign with Olave and Wilson again headlining the show, no tight end caught more than 13 passes. The pattern changed slightly when rugged tight end Cade Stover put together back-to-back 400-yard seasons in 2022 and 2023, working his way into a fourth-round pick. But even last year's national championship-winning team hardly utilized the position as starter Gee Scott Jr. caught two or fewer passes in nine of 16 games. The arrival of Klare, however, gives Ohio State the kind of bonafide receiving threat it hasn't had at tight end in quite some time, perhaps since John Frank in the early 1980s. Klare caught 51 passes for 685 yards and four touchdowns last season to lead Purdue in all three categories despite a passing offense that ranked 113th nationally. Jack Endries, Texas via Cal (No. 131 overall, No. 4 TE) When Endries entered the spring transfer portal on April 16, he needed only two days before committing to Texas, a program that has reached the College Football Playoff in consecutive seasons. And it's not difficult to understand why. Two years ago, in 2023, Longhorns' tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders caught 45 passes for 682 yards and two touchdowns before the Carolina Panthers selected him in the fourth round of the NFL Draft. Last year, in 2024, tight end Gunnar Helm caught 60 passes for 786 yards and seven touchdowns before the Tennessee Titans drafted him in the fourth round earlier this spring. Endries has similar potential considering what he's already accomplished at Cal the last two seasons. He logged more snaps than any tight end in the country as a redshirt freshman in 2023 while catching 35 passes for 408 yards and two touchdowns, garnering freshman All-America honors from three news outlets. He played even better last fall by leading the Bears with 56 receptions for 623 yards and two scores, including back-to-back 100-yard games against Pittsburgh and NC State. Offensive line Isaiah World, Oregon via Nevada (No. 2 overall, No. 1 OT) Long before Oregon's season ended in a Rose Bowl loss to Ohio State, head coach Dan Lanning knew he was going to be in the market for at least one starting-caliber offensive tackle given what the Ducks stood to lose in the NFL Draft. Left tackle Josh Conerly, who finished as a first-team All-American, would become a first-round pick by the Washington Commanders. While right tackle Ajani Cornelius, who earned second-team All-America honors, would be taken in the sixth round by the Dallas Cowboys. In landing World last December, Lanning secured a player considered the top offensive lineman regardless of position. World, who is listed as a redshirt senior, logged more than 1,600 snaps at left tackle over the last two seasons and spent one year as Nevada's starting right tackle in 2022. He slashed his number of quarterback pressures allowed from 34 in 2023 to just 15 last season, according to Pro Football Focus, and reduced his penalty count from 11 to eight during that same span. The Ducks also added former Texas State offensive tackle Alex Harkey (No. 125 transfer, No. 17 OT). Elijah Pritchett, Nebraska via Alabama (No. 45 overall, No. 6 OT) One of the most pressing items on a lengthy to-do list for Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule, who continues barreling forward in his attempted resurrection of the Cornhuskers, is to surround former five-star quarterback Dylan Raiola with enough talent so that the program can realistically compete for the College Football Playoff. Rhule swung big in his efforts to accomplish that goal by adding big-name, big-money transfers like former Kentucky wideout Dane Key (No. 34 transfer, No. 10 WR), former Notre Dame right guard Rocco Spindler (No. 139 transfer, No. 10 IOL) and former Cal wideout Nyziah Hunter (No. 198 transfer, No. 34 WR) to an offense that finished 103rd in scoring (23.5 points per game) last season. But the most important addition might have been Pritchett, who played 555 snaps at right tackle for Alabama in 2024 and logged 64 additional snaps at left tackle. Though Pritchett struggled in pass protection as a first-year starter — he was charged with allowing 30 quarterback pressures and six sacks — he has the pedigree of a former top-40 national recruit and at least two years of eligibility remaining. Josh Thompson, LSU via Northwestern (No. 16 overall, No. 3 IOL) By the time December rolled around and the first transfer portal window opened, LSU head coach Brian Kelly and his staff were keenly aware of how significant the team's offensive line overhaul might be. They knew that left tackle Will Campbell, a consensus All-American, was a surefire first-round pick. They also knew that right tackle Emery Jones, right guard Miles Frazier and left guard Garrett Dellinger were all receiving interest from NFL scouts. Center DJ Chester, an underclassman not yet eligible for the draft, was the only starter likely to return for another year. So the Tigers wasted little time in pursuing Thompson, the second high-profile Northwestern lineman to hit the portal in as many years after guard Josh Priebe transferred to Michigan last offseason. Kelly secured a commitment from Thompson shortly after Christmas to anchor a transfer portal class that now ranks No. 1 in the nation. Listed as a fifth-year senior, Thompson was a two-year starter for the Wildcats who spent 2024 playing right guard (646 snaps, eight pressures, three penalties) and 2023 playing right tackle (731 snaps, 27 pressures, three penalties). Early reports from LSU suggest he will compete at both positions during fall camp. Pat Coogan, Indiana via Notre Dame (No. 138 overall, No. 9 IOL) In an otherwise magical season for Indiana, which won 11 games for the first time in school history, losses to Ohio State on Nov. 23 and to Notre Dame on Dec. 20 in the College Football Playoff exposed one of the team's only weaknesses: a deficiency in talent along the offensive line. The Buckeyes rattled Indiana for five sacks, eight quarterback pressures and eight tackles for loss in a game that was over midway through the third quarter. The Fighting Irish damaged Indiana for three sacks, eight quarterback pressures and 10 tackles for loss that rendered the Hoosiers' offense one-dimensional. Moving forward, Cignetti knew his team needed better players in the trenches to hold up against elite defenses. Adding Coogan, a two-year starter for Notre Dame, was a heady move. Now a redshirt senior, Coogan logged more than 800 snaps at center last season (eight pressures allowed) for a team that reached the national championship game. He also spent the entire 2023 campaign as Notre Dame's starting left guard in his only other year as a primary contributor. He is expected to anchor the interior for Indiana this fall. Howard Sampson, Texas Tech via North Carolina (No. 14 overall, No. 3 OT) Texas Tech made headline after headline this offseason by compiling the No. 2 transfer portal class in the country behind LSU — and reportedly spending more than $10 million in NIL to do so. Any number of players from the Red Raiders' 21-man haul could have made this list, like former Louisiana tight end Terrance Carter (No. 169 transfer, No. 7 TE) or former USC running back Quinten Joyner (No. 145 transfer, No. 9 RB), but the most important addition might just be Sampson, the mammoth 6-foot-8, 340-pound tackle. Sampson was a lightly regarded three-star recruit in the 2022 cycle, originally committing to North Texas over additional scholarship offers from Grambling, Texas Southern and Texas State, among others. He entered the transfer portal following his sophomore season despite having just 87 career snaps to his name, though 83 of them came at left tackle. That was enough of a sample size for North Carolina to take a chance on Sampson and turn him into their starting left tackle last fall. He was charged with allowing 19 pressures and five sacks in 824 snaps before entering the portal a second time last December. Listed as a junior, Sampson will start at left tackle for Texas Tech in 2025. Check back later in the week for Part 2 of FOX Sports' college football transfer portal all-impact team, which will feature the top additions on the defensive side of the ball. Michael Cohen covers college football and college basketball for FOX Sports. Follow him at @Michael_Cohen13. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily ! recommended Get more from College Football Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more
USA Today
3 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
3-star Fameitau Siale provides inside look during Michigan State official visit this weekend
3-star Fameitau Siale provides inside look during Michigan State official visit this weekend It's official visit season and we are already getting some insight to what the Spartans have in store for the highly-important month of recruiting. High-end three-star edge rusher Fameitau Siale is one of many prospects on Michigan State's campus this weekend for an official visit, and he shared a post on his Instagram of how things are shaping up. Included in the post below is a picture from Siale on his official visit at Michigan State: Siale ranks as the No. 48 edge rusher in 247Sports' composite rankings for the 2026 class. He is also listed as the No. 531 overall player in the class and No. 3 player from Washington. Siale holds offers from nearly 20 schools, and is strongly considering Cal, Washington and Arizona State, according to 247Sports. He has already taken an official visit to Arizona State earlier this month and will be visiting Cal and Washington over the next few weeks as well. Stay with Spartans Wire for additional recruiting coverage during official visit season these next few weeks. Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan State news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Robert Bondy on X @RobertBondy5.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Climate
- Time of India
California's heatwave could be more dangerous than you think. Stay safe with these recommendations from NWS
A heatwave advisory has been issued for California and people have been advised to stay indoors. NWS Las Vegas issued its own Extreme Heat Watch affecting southern Nevada and eastern California. Residents are strongly advised to "drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors," NWS said. A heat advisory has been issued for California's interior Friday as the Bay Area is heading into its first heat event of the season Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Weather advisory for California Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads NWS Heat Wave Safety Tips Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads A heat advisory has been issued for California's interior Friday as the Bay Area is heading into its first heat event of the season and it's arriving abruptly. The advisory is in effect for California's interior Friday and Saturday, including parts of the East Bay, North Bay and South Bay, local US media reports suggest. A strong high-pressure system building over the West is expected to cause a sharp rise in temperatures, potentially pushing some Central Valley cities to near-record highs for Thursday at 3:31 a.m. a heat advisory was released by the NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA valid for Friday between 11 a.m. and 8 p.m. The advisory is for Cuyama Valley, Southern Salinas Valley, San Luis Obispo County Interior Valleys and San Luis Obispo County Mountains. The NWS states to expect, "Temperatures up to 100 degrees expected, and even over 100 near Paso Robles.""There is a high risk for heat illness for sensitive populations including the very young, the very old, those without air conditioning, and those active outdoors," explains the NWS. This advisory is in effect until Friday at 8 the Bay Area, it's not just the high temperatures that make this heat wave remarkable—it's the speed at which they're climbing. In cities like Livermore, temperatures are forecast to soar from the low-to-mid 80s on Thursday to over 100 degrees by Friday—a nearly 20-degree jump in just one day. This rapid rise would rank among the most sudden single-day warmups the region has experienced in the past 25 South Bay is also in for a major warm-up. San Jose is expected to jump from the low 80s on Thursday to the upper 90s by Friday—a spike of 13 to 15 degrees in just one day. That would rank among the most dramatic single-day temperature increases in the past 25 years. The North Bay will see a more moderate shift, with typically warmer areas like Santa Rosa and Napa climbing about 10 degrees, from around 90 on Thursday to near 100 on makes this heat wave stand out is how mild things have been up until now. Most inland Bay Area cities have coasted through May with average, comfortable highs—warm, but not hot. San Jose has yet to hit 90 degrees this year, while Livermore and Santa Rosa have only done so once. For much of the region, this week brings the first real taste of fact, millions of California residents were warned to avoid sun exposure as an extreme heat wave is expected for much of the state, with temperatures forecast to surpass 100 degrees in multiple regions. The heat is expected to start on Friday and last until Sunday National Weather Service (NWS) issued extreme heat watches and advisories for the Central Valley, Sacramento Valley, Sierra foothills and other inland areas. It is urging people to stay indoors, remain hydrated and check on vulnerable people. On the other side of the state line, similar alerts affect Nevada's southern valleys, including Las Vegas and Death Valley, where risks remain high through the safe during extreme heat by following these guidelines:Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids throughout the Cool Indoors: Stay in air-conditioned spaces whenever Direct Sunlight: Limit exposure to the sun and check on vulnerable individuals such as elderly neighbors and Children & Pets: Never leave children or pets in parked cars—temperatures can become deadly in Cautious Outdoors: If you must be outside, take extra Wisely: Plan strenuous activities for early morning or evening when it's the Warning Signs: Learn the symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat for the Heat: Wear lightweight, loose-fitting Often: If working outdoors, follow OSHA guidelines—take frequent breaks in shaded or air-conditioned Quickly in Emergencies: Move anyone with heat-related symptoms to a cool area and call 911 if needed.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Artist begins transforming town centre buildings into musical murals
IT WAS after several conversations with members of some of Stourbridge's iconic musical exports that one artist birthed a creative idea to put the town back at the forefront of the country's artistic scene. Cal, a Stourbridge-based artist who has been active for over two decades, has begun a project painting murals of the logos of several bands born out of the town on buildings for all to see. The first completed work, an ode to rockers Pop Will Eat Itself, now adorns the side of the Direct2Print building on Foster Street, with the second mural of alt-rock band, The Wonder Stuff, almost ready to be unveiled just off the ring road on the side of The Bridge House. 'The Poppies' painting can be enjoyed by more than just Stourbridge locals, with an image of the mural already hanging in the prestigious V&A museum in London. An image of the Poppies mural is hanging in the V&A in London (Image: Olivia Warburton / NQ) Cal said it is important the town celebrates its rich musical heritage and it was about time Stourbridge 'made some noise' about itself. He said: 'We're known all over the UK for our music – I went to Tenby not that long ago and spoke to a woman who instantly knew Stourbridge for its bands. 'We're bigger than we think we are, and I don't want Stourbridge to be just another clone town with no identity. 'We should be celebrating our music and the arts and trying to promote creativity more.' Five bands will be featured in Cal's project: Pop Will Eat Itself, The Wonder Stuff, Ned's Atomic Dustbin, Diamond Head and, hopefully, an ode to a certain local, Robert Plant. The artist, who goes only by his first name, said the next mural on his to-do list is for Ned's Atomic Dustbin, with the band encouraging him to 'go big or go home' with the design. Cal, who is doing the work voluntarily, thanked the local businesses who have made his project possible, and the people of Stourbridge for their warm reception to his work. He said: 'Without Archava Scaffolding, I would not have been able to get up the buildings, and none of this would be possible. The Wonder Stuff mural is almost complete (Image: Olivia Warburton / NQ) 'Also the businesses, so far Dirct2Print and Bridge House, who have been up for me using their walls, and Brierley Printers and the John Porter Community Fund, who have been a massive help. 'It's been a community effort, and so far, everyone has been brilliant about the work. 'Of course, it's thanks to the bands as well – these guys are still selling out tours and bringing out new music and deserve to be celebrated.' Timed rather perfectly, the Poppies mural in particular coincides with the band's 40th anniversary and marks the release of their new single, 'Bruiser', which was released yesterday (May 27).
