It’s now officially official.
Just a day after Brandon McIlwain indicated on social media that he would be transferring to Cal, the Golden Bears acknowledged in a release that the quarterback “has signed a financial aid agreement and will join the school’s football program.” Additionally, the football team confirmed that the two-sport student-athlete is expected to play baseball for the university as well.
In late February, McIlwain announced that he would be transferring from South Carolina. The true sophomore will not play for the football Bears in the upcoming season, but will have three years of eligibility at his disposal after that.
“We’re excited that Brandon has decided to enroll at Cal and become a member of both our football and baseball programs,” a statement from head coach Justin Wilcox began. “We’re looking forward to his contributions and having him join the competition in our quarterback room.”
“I am excited to develop under the incredible coaching staff at Cal,” McIlwain said in his statement. “The Golden Bears have a great quarterback history. In addition, I am equally excited about returning to the Bay Area and taking advantage of the university’s amazing education.”
As a true freshman last season, McIlwain started three of the 12 games in which he played. In that time, he completed 62-of-118 passes for 600 yards with a pair of touchdowns and an interception, while he added 127 yards and another two scores on the ground.
The emergence of fellow freshman Jake Bentley midway through the season, however, left McIlwain with no clear football path to a starting job.