NC State transfer quarterback Ben Finley has committed to Cal, according to Finley’s personal Twitter. 

A redshirt freshman, Finley played in three games in 2022: against Louisville, North Carolina and in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl against Maryland. In those three games, Finley totaled three touchdowns and three interceptions, as well as 741 passing yards.

Finley’s highlight game came against UNC, a game NC State won in double-overtime and was Finley’s first career start. With a 67.5% completion percentage, 271 passing yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions, the redshirt freshman guided the Wolfpack to a rivalry game win on the road.

Joining a Cal team in desperate need of quarterback depth, Finley will find himself alongside newly-acquired dual threat Sam Jackson V and fellow redshirt freshman Fernando Mendoza. The end of last season saw the departure of Cal’s top two quarterbacks in Jack Plummer and Kai Millner, who committed to Louisville and Northern Arizona University, respectively. 

Hailing from Phoenix, Arizona, Finley will be moving closer to home for his next stint of college football, and fans are eager to see how he fits in on the blue and gold roster.

With a new offensive coordinator in Jake Spavital and offensive line coach in Mike Bloesch, the blue and gold are showing glimpses of a reformed offense.  

After an impressive showing from the Bears at the spring game on April 15 — one that included a standout performance from Jackson  — Finley arrives in the Bay with an uncertain future. Finley and Jackson will now battle for the Bears’ starting quarterback spot.