Jonathan McKinley, a three-star EDGE player from Corona, California, just made a big decision. He’s committed to playing for Cal. He shared the news Tuesday evening.
McKinley had some pretty cool options. Schools like SMU, Utah, Arizona, and Boise State were interested in him too.
“Had an amazing visit at Cal this weekend. After deep consideration and thoughts with my family, I’m blessed and honored to say that I’m committed,” McKinley wrote on X, announcing his decision.
So, who exactly is McKinley? Well, he’s ranked as the No. 658 overall prospect and the No. 54 EDGE in the 2026 recruiting cycle. That’s according to the On3 Industry Ranking, which pulls together info from all the big recruiting sites. In California, he’s sitting at No. 70.
This guy is 6-foot-3 and weighs 220 pounds. He’s only the second person to commit to head coach Justin Wilcox and the team for the 2026 season. Before him, Jayden Crowder, a three-star cornerback from Santa Margarita Catholic in Corona, made his pledge back in November.
McKinley’s been playing for one of the top high school programs around. His 2024 Centennial team ended with a solid 9-3 record. They were ranked No. 20 in the nation and No. 4 in California, according to the On3 Composite Rankings.
More on Cal Bears Recruiting
Cal’s been busy with recruiting. The 2025 cycle is about to wrap up, and right now, they’ve got the No. 57 class in the country, based on the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings. They’ve signed up 14 new prospects so far.
There was a bit of drama with former commit Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele, a five-star quarterback. He initially flipped to Oregon but then entered the Transfer Portal and ended up signing with Cal again. He’s a big deal for them, ranked as the No. 20 overall prospect and No. 4 QB nationwide.
Another standout is Jae’on Young, a three-star cornerback from Chatsworth, California. He’s ranked No. 387 overall and No. 40 at his position. He’s one of eight players from within the state heading to Berkeley.
Other key signees include:
- Odera Okaka, a JUCO EDGE from Pittsburg, California
- Anthony League, a three-star running back from Los Alamitos, California
- Meyer Swinney, a three-star tight end from Minneapolis, Edina
- Aiden Manutai, a three-star safety from Waipahu, Hawaii
- Tre’ Harrison, a three-star safety from Artesia, California
It’s shaping up to be an exciting time for Cal’s football program. Who knows what these new recruits will bring to the table? Stay tuned!
