New Bears on the Block: Soph Portal Transfer OL Matthew Wykoff

One of the most critical additions of the spring based on position on need was the commitment of 6-6/330 Texas A&M offensive lineman Matthew Wykoff‍ following his official visit in April.

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. He was also recruited by new Cal OL coach Mike Bloesch, the OL coach for Tulsa at the time.

Wykoff played in 16 games with nine starts in two seasons at Texas A&M as a 2021 true freshman and 2022 redshirt freshman, earning a spot on the SEC’s All-Freshman squad and was one of three players to earn one of the team’s Unselfish Leadership Awards as a 2022 redshirt freshman when he played in all 12 games with nine starts, eight at center and one at left guard.

"It was good," Wykoff said of his time at A&M. "It was a lot experience gained and I learned a lot from all those games and the opportunities I had. So just some games under my belt and experience so I can take my game to the next level. So yeah, it's definitely a boost in confidence. Because once you do it, you know you can do it again and again."

Wykoff has shown up in several workout tweets this summer, working hard with his new teammates.

"I'm just trying to focus on my strength and speed and turning my body in the right shape to perform at the highest level.  It's been great, just a lot of hard work and just doing it with the guys and we all have a shared goal," Wykoff said.

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

"I'm just kind of looking at all positions, learning them all just trying to see where I fit and play wherever I'm needed," Wykoff noted. "My biggest goal is just to get on the field. Doesn't matter where. I feel I can play all of it and I just want to be able to help in any way I can."

If it ends up being offensive tackle, Wkyoff is ready for the challenge.

"That's where I got into playing O-line, at tackle, so I feel like I can make the transition back just as smoothly as I did going into going into the interior," Wykoff said.

Not only did the Bears get an early foot in the door with Wykoff when offering him as a prep player but he was also recruited by new Cal OL Coach Mike Bloesch, who was also well-acquainted with several of his high school coaches.

“Yeah, so I knew him getting recruited out of high school when he was at Tulsa still but he's a great coach and he has all the tools to make me a successful O-lineman and that's what I'm looking for," Wykoff said. "I'm looking to evolve my game and become the best player I can be so I have those opportunities to the next level.

"I know he's a Texas guy so he's big on running the ball and doing it in a tough way so I'm hoping I can add into that a little bit."

So far, Wykoff is pleased with his transition out west playing for the Bears.

"It's been good," Wykoff said. I feel like I merged quick and it's a bunch of guys that want to win a lot of football games and like I said, we have a shared goal so we're all working towards that, working hard together and when you see someone else working hard then it makes you want to work hard so that's kind of how we're going about our business right now."

Lest he miss the Lone Star State too much, Wykoff has plenty of Texas teammates to remind him of back home.

"We've talked about a little bit, kind of talking with a few guys from other states, you know talking about who has the best high school football and such," Wykoff said with a smile. "Just trying to get to know everyone and meet all my teammates." 

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

As for what the Bears’ soph OL is looking forward to this season?

"Just getting on the field and playing some games and play and going against some new competition and just getting it going. I just see a bunch of hard workers so I love to see that," Wykoff said. "You could tell by how guys act and how they conduct themselves while working out and I can tell football's serious here and these guys want to get better and win games so I'm glad I chose to come here because that's what I'm about, too.

"Go Bears!"

Related:

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

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