Cal center Matthew Cindric confirms his return
The Bears will get a crucial contributor on their offensive line back.
Cal got a boost in the official announced return of center Matthew Cindric. Cindric will receive a final year of eligibility to try and boost an offensive line that struggled for most of 2022.
Despite losing Ben Coleman to Arizona State and Spencer Lovell to Kansas, Cal will be returning a decent number of offensive linemen from their depth chart.
Offensive tackle Brayden Rhome (nine starts, first three games at right tackle, last six at left tackle)
Offensive tackle T.J. Session (five starts)
Offensive tackle/guard Ender Aguilar (a few games played)
Offensive guard Brian Driscoll (12 starts)
Offensive guard Sioape Vatikani (played in every game, started from the Arizona game onward)
Offensive guard Everett Johnson (played off the bench the last few games)
Center Matthew Cindric (started the first two-thirds of the season before an injury).
If offensive line coach Mike Bloesch can prove to be a bit more up to the task, it’s possible that this depth might be just enough.
Welcome back Matthew!
I know everyone is clamoring for OL transfers, and we very well may see some between now and fall, but I’m finding myself being cautiously optimistic (sunshine pumps engage!) about our prospects.
When JW first took over, he took Dykes defensive backs that were getting blasted for 40, 50 pts and turned them into a respectable unit that sent several players to the NFL.
If we can get even half the turnaround we saw back then from Bloesch, Ott & Co. will thrive.
In my humble, optimistic naive Cal fan opinion…
In theory we can still get transfers now that the window is closed and everyone needs to find a home. Would be nice to get a 4-star OT but we may be reliant on coaching our 3-star guys up to their potential.