BERKELEY – Cal head coach Justin Wilcox announced Monday that quarterback Brandon McIlwain (Newton, PA/South Carolina/Council Rock North HS) has signed a financial aid agreement and will join the school's football program. The transfer from South Carolina is also expected to play baseball for the Golden Bears.

"We're excited that Brandon has decided to enroll at Cal and become a member of both our football and baseball programs," Wilcox said. "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. "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."

McIlwain played in eight games with three starts during his 2016 true freshman football campaign at South Carolina when he completed 62-of-118 passes for 600 yards with two touchdowns and one interception while adding another 127 yards and two scores on the ground on 63 carries for a Gamecocks' squad that reached the Birmingham Bowl. McIlwain played in South Carolina's first five contests and threw for a career-high 195 yards on 16-of-28 passing while also rushing for a pair of touchdowns to lead the Gamecocks to a 20-15 victory over East Carolina in his first of three consecutive starts. He also started the team's next two SEC contests at Kentucky and versus Texas A&M while playing for the majority of the second half in the regular-season finale in a non-conference game against state rival and eventual national champion Clemson. McIlwain was named to the SEC Fall Academic Honor Roll following the 2016 football season.

McIlwain was also a member of the South Carolina baseball program as a 2016 true freshman.

Prior to enrolling at South Carolina in January of 2016, McIlwain prepped at Council Rock North High School in Newton Pa., where he produced career totals of 10,157 yards of total offense and 123 touchdowns (6,480 yards and 56 TDs passing; 3,677 yards and 67 TDs rushing).

As a 2015 senior, McIlwain was the Pennsylvania Gatorade Player of the Year, AP Class AAAA Player of the Year, Southeastern Pennsylvania Player of the Year by the Inquirer, CBS Philly's Player of the Year and the Maxwell Club PA Player of the Year. McIlwain completed 141-of-240 passes for 1,646 yards and 17 touchdowns while rushing for 1,341 yards and 27 touchdowns on 207 carries in his senior campaign to lead his squad to a 7-4 overall mark and its first Suburban One League Continental Conference title since 2006. McIlwain put up his best prep passing numbers as a 2014 junior when he completed 147-of-283 passes for 2,018 yards and 17 touchdowns while adding another 1,027 yards and 18 scores on the ground on 195 carries. McIlwain also put up strong offensive numbers in each of his first two prep seasons beginning as a 2012 freshman when he completed 105-of-213 passes for 1,370 yards and nine touchdowns while rushing for 715 yards and 11 scores on 165 carries. As a 2013 sophomore for an 8-4 club, he completed 105-of-190 passes for 1,446 yards and 11 touchdowns while adding another 594 yards and 10 touchdowns on the ground in 104 carries. He also played defense throughout his prep football career.

McIlwain was also a prep baseball standout and earned Perfect Game All-American honors as a 2016 senior after hitting .414 with seven homers, 28 RBI and 22 stolen bases for a team that was 19-6 overall and reached the state quarterfinals.