Bears Add 2025 QB Robert McDaniel
The Bears picked up a commitment from 6-1/190 Hughson QB Robert McDaniel Thursday. An all-state small school QB for the Central Valley power, McDaniel chose the Bears over Oregon State, Washington State, Colorado, Virginia, Vanderbilt, Indiana and more.
The 3 star QB visited Cal last weekend and his visit only reaffirmed his previous comfort level with the program and also with new QB coach Sterlin Gilbert.
“I just really like the way the players interact with each others and have each other’s backs,” McDaniel said. “You can tell they all really want to be there. And spending more time with Coach Gilbert really gave me a higher comfort level about working with him, too, being a players’ coach like he is.”
The Bears have recruited McDaniel for a while but his recent growth spurt put him more firmly on the radar as new QB coach Sterlin Gilbert extended an offer in January to the talented QB.
“Since I visited Cal last year, I grew an inch and a half and added 25 pounds of good weight and strength McDaniel said. “I’m sure I’m not through growing, too.”
McDaniel’s growth spurt likely isn’t over with his father checking in at 6’4 and his mother at 5’9.
As a junior, McDaniel passed for nearly 3,000 yards along with 33 touchdowns and only 4 interceptions on the season. He led Hughson to the NorCal championship game before bowing out to eventual state champ Palma-Salinas in a tight battle.
The new QB commit plans to make the hour and a half trip North to Cal to catch several spring ball practices and continue to develop his relationship with the program.
McDaniel was the fifth Cal commit of the 2025 class, joining running backs Jojo Solis and Carter Jackson, linebacker Carter Jones and Texas cornerback Kaden Cook .