Bears Add Another Big Piece to OL class in Cindric
Cal football recruiting continued to stay hot on the offensive line, with the commitment of their fifth highly-touted OL tonight in Skyline offensive guard Matthew Cindric.
"For me, it was really the combination of the academics and athletics that they have to offer at Cal," said Cindric, talking about his commitment.
"I want to study business and Cal has one of the best business schools in the country.
"Coach Wilcox, Coach Greatwood and Coach Baldwin -I feel like I have a really good relationship with all of them and Coach Greatwood has a great track record with linemen he's coached so I feel like he just kind of fits me real well. He said he likes me at guard or center. He just likes my physicality and my athleticism. He sees me fitting well in his line.
"I love the area, too. It's really beautiful there. It's an area I can see myself living for the next 4-5 years.
"Can't wait."
Cindric will be joining one of Cal's top offensive line classes in recent history, joining Granite Bay OT Will Craig, Clayton Valley Charter OT Brandon Mello, Bishop O'Dowd OL Miles Owens and Aquinas OL Jasper Friis in the Bears' 2018 class.
"I'm excited to have a good group of guys down there to play with," said Cindric. "Competition always brings out best in everyone. So having a good group to compete with and have a special line with throughout all our time there will be really cool."
Cal head coach Justin Wilcox has made a strong impression on Cindric, too.
"He's a really good guy," said Cindric. "I think he's really honest and someone who feels real and doesn't really sugarcoat anything. I feel like listening to him talk about what he wants for his team is really what I've looked for in a coach.
"He just seems like a guy with good priorities and good values so he just really fit in with what I was looking for."
Cindric announced his commitment tonight via twitter a couple weeks after his unofficial visit to Cal, saying:
"First off, I want to thank God for everything he has blessed me with," said Cindric. "I want to thank my parents for always supporting and believing in me and to my sisters for being amazing role models.
"To all my coaches and teammates, thank you for helping me become the player and person I am today. And to Spartan nation, I can't thank you all enough for being the best supporters a football player could ask for.
"Lastly, thank you to all the coaches and teams who gave me an opportunity to play at the next level.
"With that being said, I'm excited to announce my commitment to the University of California, Berkeley. Go Bears!"
The 6-4/265 Cindric was named 1st team All-King County at both offensive guard and defensive end, though the 3 star athlete will play OL at Cal.
The Bears beat out UCLA, Utah, Washington State, Oregon State, Arizona and a host of others for Cindric's commitment. An excellent student, Cindric also had offers from several Ivy League programs.