Hughson High quarterback Robert McDaniel has given a verbal commitment to play college football at the University of California, Berkeley.

But before he becomes a Golden Bear, the 6-foot-1, 195-pound junior has one more season of high school football to play. McDaniel and the Huskies will be gunning for a third consecutive Sac-Joaquin Section championship this fall.

As a sophomore, McDaniel helped the Huskies capture the state championship, a 9-6 win over Muir (Pasadena), but fell one victory shy of a return trip to the CIF finale last season, losing 31-21 to Palma (Salinas) in the NorCal regional.

“This allows me to focus more on the upcoming season and get fully ready,” said McDaniel. “I’m not playing baseball anymore, so I’m just working out with the football team and doing throwing sessions and working with my trainer, Greg Panelli."

McDaniel, who hopes to study either sports medicine or sports management at Berkeley, said the relationships he’s developed with coach Justin Wilcox’s staff during the recruitment process was the main reason he chose Cal over the 16 other schools that made offers.

“There was just a lot of great communication and relationships that have been built over time,” said McDaniel. “And I’ve been able to sustain those relationships with the coaches. And during my first visit last year I was able to see what the locker room was like. Not what it looked like, but the actual atmosphere among the players.”

Hughson head coach Shaun King said McDaniel’s recruitment was a learning process for him, as well.

“It was crazy,” said King. “The month of January crazy. I had phone calls every single day; everybody wanted to come see him throw. Finally, we had to set it up for one day — at 7:30 in the morning — or else we would’ve been throwing for scouts every day.

“But some coaches can go their whole career without experiencing something like that. I was just soaking it all in.”

As a sophomore, McDaniel completed 61 percent of his throws and totaled 25 touchdown passes against just seven interceptions. Last season, while completing 60 percent of his tosses, he threw 33 touchdowns and just four picks. Including his two starts as a freshman, McDaniel has thrown 62 touchdown passes and just 12 interceptions. 

The Huskies may not have as many starters returning in 2024 as they did in 2023, but they’ve got more than enough to be counted as a contender for a section crown. McDaniel will have plenty of weapons this the fall with receivers Malaki Sumter, brother Bryce McDaniel and tight end Max Mankins due back. Sumter and Mankins, like McDaniel, also played on the varsity as freshmen.

“I have a lot of confidence with our team,” said McDaniel. “Having the whole spring and summer to get ready is big for me.”

King said that last week, he stopped by the school after hours and spotted McDaniel working out on the football field with his running coach.

“This kid’s work ethic is unparalleled,” said King. “We know that we have a leader that’s going to hold everybody else accountable.”