Korchagin Talks About His Commitment to Cal

For the second time in recent months, the Bears grabbed a big offensive linemen from across the pond with the commitment of Russian offensive lineman Artem Korchagin‍ earlier this month on April 5. Similar to early entry signee Justin Hasenhuetl‍ from Germany, both new Cal offensive linemen found their way to Georgia to play American football and learn to use their size to forge a collegiate career on the line.

The 6-5/315 Thomasville, Georgia OL will be heading into only his third year of organized football next season for Thomas County Central.

"I came here my freshman year of high school from Russia,” Korchagin said. “I didn't play football my first year. I think I just went to like three practices. It was just like, my kind of welcome football moment. We don't play football in Russia at all. I feel like it took my whole sophomore year to know the plays, how to how to play the game.”

With Hasenhuitl coming from Germany by way of Georgia, the two connected on Korchagin’s official visit.

"I spent time with Justin on my visit," the new Cal OL said. "We connected because we kind of shared similar backgrounds. Came in to the U.S. at the same age, played in Georgia. Both of us hsf similar alignments, which was kind of interesting.

"We hung out the team, did some meetings, went all around Berkeley, did a campus tour, did facilities tour, I went to the scrimmage, ate real good."

The Bears got on Korchagin’s radar by way of one of his teammates, also offered by the Bears.

So we have a guy on our team, Cam Brooks, I think you probably heard about him," Korchagin said. "He's a defensive end and Coach So'oto went and visited Cam and he just asked if we have anybody else he should look at. And they said, Well, we have me. We talked to Coach So'oto and he went back to went back to Cal and talked with their staff, and they offered me on that Friday."

The first team All-Region lineman was impressed with what he saw from his future position coach, Cal OL coach Famika Anae.

"Man, Coach Anai's a great person," Korchagin said. "You know, sometimes you talk to a coach and it's just business for him, or the team doesn't mean a whole lot for him. I feel like he's a coach who cares a lot about his players. He cares for your success on and off the field. We had a one on one meeting with him and he understands that, especially Cal, football is a byproduct of a person. Like football ends. And he understands that. That's a good thing because you talk to coaches, and some of them say, like, 'Yeah, football is all we do. That's not what I need."

Another thing that struck a chord with Korchagin was the blend of hard-nosed discipline on the field with Anae combined with a relationsal style off the field.

"I feel like my high school coach is the same way," Korchagin said. You feel like he can hate you, absolutely HATE YOU in the field, but as soon as that last whistle blows, he's gonna be the nicest person ever.  I feel like that's good trait for a person whenever you can separate a business relationship and your personal relationship."

Korchagin chose the Bears over Duke, UCF and Marshall, preferring to commit early rather than wait for more offers as he continues to develop his game.