Recruiting files: Nick Crissman

Player: Nick Crissman
School: Edison
Position: Quarterback

Committed to: UCLA

Trips he took: Cal (unofficial)

How was your trip to Berkeley?
“It was cool. I just talked to the coaches a lot. They thought it would be good if I went down and watched a couple practices and sat in meetings with them to get a feel for (everything).

“I waked around the campus. It’s beautiful. They have a really nice campus. I spent some time in Berkley. I wasn’t a real big fan. I’m from Southern California. It’s a lot different there. I just like the L.A. area. I feel a lot more comfortable.”

What was it like to be recruited?
“I thought it was fun. I was glad to have it be over with. It was cool getting attention from a lot of different schools. I kind of knew I wanted to go to UCLA. I felt I was leading some people on, maybe. I had to have a backup plan. Once you get that first offer, it’s a big relief. You want to pursue every college, take a look and see what the pros and cons are. It was kind of a stressful process, but fun at the same time — being a kid and having all this attention.”

Schools that offered him a scholarship:
Boise State, Colorado, UCLA

Schools that have shown interest in him:
All the Pac-10 schools except USC. “Before I committed, a lot of the (Pac-10) coaches said they were going to offer me (a scholarship). But I didn’t really care when they were going to offer. I knew if UCLA offered, I was going to go there."

What is the strength of your commitment to UCLA?
“100 percent.”

What could change your mind, if anything?
“With the hire of Coach (Rick) Neuheisel, I don’t think there’s anything that could change my mind. At all. I can’t think of one thing that could happen that would change my mind.”

What did you think of Karl Dorrell’s firing?
“I chose to go to UCLA because of the school itself. I know a lot of players tend to choose because of the coaching staff. I chose UCLA because it’s UCLA. I always wanted to go there. I kind of thought whoever would come in, UCLA’s such a big-time program, they’re going to bring in a big coach. I really like Coach Dorrell a lot. He’s a great guy, an awesome guy. But he got fired. I don’t have any control over that. They hired Coach Neuheisel and I’m thrilled with that decision.

“I found out (about Dorrell’s firing) right after it happened. I received a call from my recruiting coach. I kind of had an idea it would happen. There was a lot of talk about it prior. So when I got the phone call I wasn’t that surprised.”

What were you thinking during that month or so when UCLA was searching for a coach?
“There were a lot of rumors going around. My mindset was basically to not read (into) all the rumors, and (the) many names thrown out there. It was kind of hard to follow what sources are reliable. I just went that patient (route) and waited it out until I heard from the school itself.

“The only thing I was worried about, and I wasn’t that worried, was (if they hired) a guy that wanted to run the option. But from the names I heard, they all sounded like they would be good for me. I was promised when Coach Dorrell was fired, my scholarship would stand. I knew when they hired their coach I would have a chance to get to know him.”

What do you think of the Neuheisel hiring?
“It was awesome meeting him. I’m really fired up to play for him. I can’t wait. I’m really excited he’s the head coach. He said he can’t wait to coach me and just be a coach at UCLA. He talks a lot about going to the Rose Bowl and winning the Rose Bowl. I really like that a lot. That’s always your goal in the Pac-10, to play in the Rose Bowl. That’s our goal and that’s going to be our mindset, what we’re going to work for. I like that he talks about that.”

Did you have a lot of schools trying to get you to de-commit to UCLA?
“I actually didn’t. I made it pretty well known, or I tried to at least. Even with the coaching change, I was solid. I’ve always been solid UCLA and I always will be.”

Have you spoken with any of the other UCLA commits?
“I’ve talked to all the commits. I try and call them. I just want to build a relationship with each guy. I’m going to be going to college with them, and I want to get to know them so we can be comfortable. I felt they might be swayed (by the coaching change). I tried to remind them the reason they picked UCLA.

“I spent a lot of time on the phone. I still do.”

Contact the writer: amaya@ocvarsity.com