OL Matthew Cindric Commits to Cal

The recruiting momentum up front keeps rolling for the Bears, with the commitment of offensive lineman Matthew Cindric, out of Skyline HS in Sammamish, Washington. Cindric becomes the fifth offensive lineman in this cycle for the Bears, joining Will Craig, Miles Owens, Brandon Mello and Jasper Friis. Cindric also becomes only the second out of state player in the class, joining Arizona's Slater Zellers, and is the 9th ranked player from the state of Washington.

Cindric has noted that offensive line coach Steve Greatwood holds similar values to him, and that played a part in his decision.

"The whole, put your head down and work, just kinda that blue-collar mentality, you earn your spot, and that’s kind of something that I always thought was important to have," Cindric said, "just a coach that allows everybody an opportunity to play if they deserve it. Also the coaching style of Greatwood I feel fits me. He’s not a huge yeller, he’s very constructive and to the point. I feel I learn the best from coaches who tell me what to do, but aren’t screaming in your face. So I think those are two of the biggest things, that he coaches in a way I feel comfortable and feel that I can develop as a player with."

Cindric is the first interior lineman type that the Bears have brought in during this cycle, someone they expect to be a guard or center at the college level. While listed as a DE by Rivals, Cindric was first team all-King Conference at both DE and G. Cindric is mobile from his spot, pulling well on kick-out blocks. He has active feet and solid pad level on his blocks, using his leverage well.

Cindric, from the same high school as starting OLB Cameron Saffle, will need to add to his frame before coming to Cal, but at 6'4" and 265, there's plenty of room to work with.

When Cindric talked to GoldenBearReport earlier this month, he talked about Greatwood's pitch to him, noting that he'd have a chance to play early.

"His pitch is really that if I came there," Cindric said, "I would have an opportunity to play. They’re kinda in a rebuilding phase a little bit, just with the new coaching staff, kinda getting their own players in there, so there’s a lot of opportunities to get in the starting lineup early on. That’s what he’s been kinda saying. Also, he doesn’t really boast about it too much, but just looking at Coach Greatwood’s track record with players that he’s coached that have gotten to the NFL, I think that’s something that’s really impressive. It shows how well he develops players."

For now, Cindric plans on going into the Haas School of Business, saying earlier this month that "Just as a school Cal fits me, I feel like it fits me pretty well since I want to study business, they have one of the better business schools in the country."

Cindric becomes the 15th commit of the 2018 class for the Bears, as Cal now has as many members of the 2018 class as they did for the whole 2017 class.