New Bears on the Block: Cal Frosh WR Nyziah Hunter

Last June, Salinas High School wide receiver Nyziah Hunter‍ became the first offensive recruit for the Bears in their 2023 class when he committed after his official visit to Cal.

The former 4 star prep also held offers from Washington, Oregon State, BYU and more before choosing Cal after a junior season where he totaled 41 receptions for 651 yards and 8 TDs at receiver and 9 carries for 141 yards and 4 TDs on the ground. As a senior, he went on to haul in 52 receptions for 912 yards receiving with 14 touchdown catches for his 10-2 squad that eventually fell to state open division runner-up Serra-San Mateo in the CCS playoffs.

“The reason why I picked Cal is because as soon as I got there, it felt like home with the coaches and the players and the staff,” Hunter said at the time. “I vibe well with the players and the bond I feel with them is strong already. My family loved everything about their time there. I feel like I’ll be in good hands because I trust the coaches.”

After running a blazing 10.62 as a junior, Hunter ran a bit of track in his senior season before shutting things down to concentrate on football.

"I did run track but then I got tendinitis on my left ankle, so I was really just focused on football. I just told myself that I was going to take a little break and come to California and we'll be ready to play,” Hunter said.

Though Hunter possesses elite speed, track speed doesn’t always translate to the football field, though Hunter feels is a real weapon in his arsenal as a receiver.

"My speed translates as a football player," Hunter said. “I play receiver so I know I'm faster than than the DBs. I think speed is like a really high key in football."

Not comfortable relying solely on his speed, Hunter has been working to perfect his receiving game in his transition to the collegiate level.

"Recently I've just been working on my routes and breaking out my routes and getting out quicker. I know I've got the speed so I've just got to polish everything."

As for his transition so far since his arrival this month, Hunter’s been soaking up all he can from receivers coach Burl Toler and some of the Bears receivers.

"I'm picking up a lot from Coach BT and Jeremiah Hunter," noted Hunter. "And Taj Davis because they're like my idols right now. So I'm really learning and taking all their information that they're telling me right now."

Both Hunters are enjoying sharing both the WR room and the same name, with the elder Hunter already taking the newest Hunter under his wing.

"We call each other twin because we both have the same last name. It's crazy that we have the same last name (at the same position) and we're both Bears," Hunter said with a smile.

"Recently, I've just been watching and just seeing how he acts on the field and how he acts off the field, too."

Though he’s in a new location in the next phase of his life, Hunter is just over 100 miles from home in Salinas.

"It feels really like home here," Hunter said. "When I came over on my official visit, it just I just knew that Berkeley was where I wanted to be.

"Transitioning with this class, we just met and we stay in the same dorm. So we all just bonded together and it literally just feels like family over here.”

While he’s still early in his transition phase right now, Hunter is eager for the day when he’ll be able to showcase his skills at the next level at Cal.

"When I get my chance to shine, I just want to show everybody that I can play football," Hunter said. "I know my high school film is good but that's like out of the topic right now. I just want to show my skills on a Division 1 football field and show everyone what I can do.

"Go Bears!"

Related:

Bears Get on the Offensive Board With Commitment from Hunter