Recruiting notebook: Murphy picks Stanford

The anticipation of Kyle Murphy's college announcement had a couple hundred students and parents clinging to his every word Wednesday as he spoke in front of the San Clemente High library.

Would the prized left tackle choose Stanford or USC?

“I'm nervous,” family friend Ira Mendel said before the national signing day ceremony for the county's No. 1 football recruit and several other San Clemente athletes.

On the recruiting-crazed Internet, college football fans tried their best to be patient as the ceremony started late.

“Stress is building,” one follower from Tennessee wrote on Twitter.

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Signing Day in pictures, Part I

Signing Day in pictures, Part II 

Signing Day: List of O.C. football players who signed

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But when Murphy finally made his announcement – delivering “Stanford” after a slight but dramatic pause – the senior was ready for the county's most-followed recruiting tale to end.

After a thunderous roar of approval from the crowd, he stepped away from the podium and looked noticeably more relaxed.

“It's definitely a relief,” said Murphy, who called the decision the hardest of his life. “I've kind of been so stressed out the last couple months, trying to figure out where I'm going to spend the next four or five years.”

Murphy, a 6-foot-7, 275-pound lineman with an NFL frame – said he settled on the Cardinal on Tuesday night after a talk with his parents, Gary and Keri.

He informed a jubilant Stanford assistant coach and a few others of his decision but many, including some of his teammates, didn't know the winning school until the ceremony Wednesday.

Murphy said the deciding factor was his comfort with Stanford's incoming class and program.

“I just kind of felt I connected with the people at Stanford better,” he said. “I know the incoming class pretty well. … and I really wanted an education.”

Murphy, who is interested in studying engineering or economics, said he wasn't influenced by the decisions of some other high-profile offensive linemen who signed with Stanford and USC.

He also wasn't swayed by teammate Christian Tober, who has accepted a preferred walk-on at USC.

“I had to make my own decision,” Murphy said.

And with that decision behind him, Murphy looked forward to his life returning to normal. On Wednesday night, he planned to study for final exams.

PATIENT ORANGE LUTHERAN CORNER SIGNS WITH CAL

Orange Lutheran cornerback Willie Fletcher (6-2, 185) signed with Cal on Friday -- two days after National Signing Day.

Fletcher’s signing ended a whirlwind week for him with the Golden Bears. He first heard from Cal on Monday. The Bears offered him around 3 p.m. on Wednesday – National Signing Day.

Fletcher had two offers on National Signing Day — Northern Colorado and Southwest Oklahoma – but didn't sign in hopes that a bigger school would offer. On Friday, his patience paid off big-time.

“I feel excited,” Fletcher said. “I had contact with (Cal) a couple days before Signing Day. (Coach Jeff Tedford) said they liked my film and that I was a good player and that I had a lot to offer the program. … I told him I wasn’t signing Signing Day because me and my dad (Willie) wanted to pursue bigger scholarships.

Fletcher said it wasn’t difficult to be patient.

“Me and my dad had talked about it,” he said. “He just told me to be patient and my time will come, and it came. I knew my talents and capabilities and what (college) division I should be in.”

Fletcher had a combined three interceptions in two all-star games in January.

His signing gives the Lancers an county-leading 11 seniors headed toward the college football ranks. “Since I was a kid, Division 1 has been my dream,” Fletcher said.

SIGNING DAY SURPRISES

Huntington Beach linebacker Nolan Biegel (6-2, 220) was involved in surprising development.

Biegel, a second-team All-County pick, committed to Penn of the Ivy League after being offered over the weekend by San Diego State.

He cited education and his connection with the Penn coaches as deciding factors.

In other twists, Edison quarterback Chase Favreau (6-2, 205) signed with San Diego State as a grey-shirt. The left-hander will enroll in the school in January 2013.

Meanwhile, San Clemente quarterback Travis Wilson, who signed with Utah, will graduate Friday and start classes at the Pac-12 school on Wednesday.

CYBURT HEARS IT

How persuasive was new UCLA coach Jim Mora? Mission Viejo offensive lineman Colby Cyburt forgot all about the Bruins' turbulent season, cancelled an official visit to Stanford and wouldn't take calls from USC.

Cyburt said Mora called him the week he was hired. And again the following week and the week after that. And every week since.

“He doesn't let up until he gets what he wants,” Cyburt said Wednesday at Mission Viejo High, where the Diablos had nine football players and 24 student-athletes sign their national letters of intent. “He has the drive and determination that you need as a head coach. He's so hands on. I haven't talked to a head coach more than Jim Mora."

Cyburt (6-5, 265), an All-County left tackle said his decision ultimately came down to Stanford and UCLA.

But Cyburt said he quickly built relationships with new offensive line coach Adrian Klemm and Mora, who told Cyburt he wanted him to be “one of his guys.”

Cyburt said he fell in love with the staff after taking an official visit, immediately cancelling trips to Stanford and Colorado and, when a USC coach tried to contact him in the 11th hour, had his coach tell the Trojans no thanks.

“It's a dream come true for me,” Cyburt said.

FROM TEAMMATES TO RIVALS

Mission Viejo fullback Jahleel Pinner took the podium on Wednesday and promptly thanked his father, mother, grandmother, head coach and position coach, before closing his short speech with a special thanks to Cyburt for choosing UCLA.

“It'll make me work that much harder,” said a smiling Pinner, bringing the crowd to a chuckle during the Diablos' signing day ceremony.