Bears Make Their First Big OL Addition of the Spring in A&M OL Wykoff

The Bears made a big splash today with their first offensive line portal commitment of the year with the commitment of Bears add 6-6/330 Texas A&M offensive lineman Matthew Wykoff‍ after this weekend's official visit.

As a prep offensive tackle recruit out of Magnolia High School in Magnolia, Texas, Wykoff was offered by the Bears along with a host of top programs throughout the country, including USC, Tennessee, Notre Dame, Penn State, Auburn, Texas as well as additional Pac-12 programs Stanford and Utah.

"I'm excited," Wykff said of his Cal commitment. "When I was recruited by Cal the first time around, my knowledge of the program was definitely surface knowledge. I found out more this time around and I got to take a visit there and realize how beautiful the campus was. But my senior year was during covid so I didn't take any visits. So I didn't really go out of state at all so every out-of-state option was kind of out of the picture for me. This time, I went out there and I thought it was beautiful. Great area, great facilities, great culture, great coaching staff.

"Going out there and meeting the coaches in person and talking to them and seeing everything really, really made it easy to make a decision."

Even though OL Coach Mike Bloesch is new to Cal, Wykoff is not a new recruit to Bloesch.

"I've actually known coach Bloesch for a while," Wykoff said. "He was actually my first offer out of high school when he was at Tulsa. He knew both my head coaches in high school. So I've known him for a while. But you know, I love him. I think he's a great coach. I'm excited to play for him and have him develop me. He seems like a real outstanding guy and he cares about us players so I'm excited. I also got to talk to Coach Wilcox. He was fired up and I'm just as excited."

Wykoff liked what he saw of the culture of the program on his visit and developed a good comfort level that made his decision an easier one.

"I went out on the weekend and saw some guys getting some extra work," Wykoff said. “It seems like the culture's really good and it seems like everyone flows and fits nice there. I got to see some guys interact and how this the different position groups work. It seems like a family there. So I'm excited to get out there and be a part of that because good cultures grow great football teams. “

Even though Wykoff started at center at A&M, he’s able to effectively play all three positions and look for Cal to give him every shot to take over at OT.

"I think I can play center, guard or tackle. It doesn't matter to me,” Wykoff noted. “I just want to I want to play at the end of the day. So wherever I can help the team and give them my best look and help win some games, that doesn't matter to me where I play."

After playing in four games and retaining his redshirt season as a true frosh in 2021, Wykoff played in all 12 games in 2022 with nine starts at center, earning the offense's Unselfish Leadership Award at the annual team banquet as well as 1^st Team Freshman All-SEC.

Cal’s academics were an added plus for the newest Cal portal addition, as well.

"Cal's academics are nothing short of excellence so that played a big role in my decision," Wykoff noted."You go around anywhere in the country and they'll recognize a Cal degree. it's important my parents, too, so it helps for sure." 

As a prep at Magnolia, Wykoff was a 1^st team all-district selection as a junior and was rated a Top-40 offensive tackle by 247 Sports, Rivals and ESPN.

Wykoff was at an official visit to TCU following Cal before making the call for the Bears. He will have 3 years to play 3. The redshirt soph becomes the fourth Cal portal commit of the spring, joining safety Patrick McMorris, QB Ben Finley‍ and receiver Marquez Dortch‍, who committed earlier today.

Related:

Bears Add Speed at WR in Mississippi State Portal Transfer Marquez Dortch

Bears Add Portal Commit #2 in Former NC State QB Ben Finley

McMorris Keeps it in the Family With Transfer to Cal