Signing up for his dreams

Nick Crissman saw a dream of his come to fruition Wednesday when he signed a letter of intent to play football at UCLA.

Thirteen Southern California high school seniors, part of a strong UCLA 2008 recruiting class that some scouting experts say is a top 10 class, gathered Wednesday to sign their national letters of intent during an early-morning news conference and breakfast at The Serving Spoon restaurant in Inglewood.

The restaurant is owned by J.C. Johnson, father of Bruins recruit Jerry Johnson of Venice High in Los Angeles.

Wednesday was the national signing day for high school seniors nationwide.

Also Wednesday, Crissman’s Edison teammates, Blayne Anderson and Mike Bogard, signed national letters of intent with Northern Arizona University and the University of San Diego, respectively, at the Edison football office.

Edison Coach Dave White was present at all three signings.

“It’s a good day for Edison football,” White said.

Crissman, a 6-foot-3, 194-pound quarterback, said he has been a lifelong UCLA fan. He was recruited last year by the Bruins, a charge led by then-offensive coordinator Jay Norvell. He gave them a verbal commitment last spring and finalized his pledge Wednesday.

He signed his letter with his mom, Jodi, dad, Bob and brothers, Bobby, 24, Jason, 23, and Jeff, 16, and a junior all-Sunset League receiver at Edison, looking on.

“It’s definitely a dream come true,” Crissman said before signing. “Actually, this is kind of surreal.

“Growing up I always wanted to play college football, and play at UCLA. Now here I am, taking that first step to do just that. It’s an amazing feeling.”

“He’s the hardest-working guy I know,” said Jeff who was on the receiving end of many a throw from his older brother last fall and who said the two still play catch an hour a day. “I’m stoked that he’s getting this opportunity.”

Last fall, Crissman, who missed a few games due to injury, went on to complete 141 of 234 passes for 1,922 yards and 12 touchdowns. He was named MVP of the Sunset League and recently was named to the All-CIF-Southern Section Pac-5 Division team.

As a junior, he completed 232 of 368 passes that went for 27 touchdowns and 3,094 yards. He was the offensive back of the year in the Sunset League.

In December, UCLA fired head coach Karl Dorrell. Later that month, former UCLA Rose Bowl MVP quarterback Rick Neuheisel, who spent the past three years as an assistant coach for the NFL’s Baltimore Ravens, was hired to replace Dorrell. In January, Norm Chow, who has coached three Heisman Trophy quarterbacks, including Carson Palmer and Matt Leinhert at USC, was named the Bruins’ new offensive coordinator.

“I was always 100% in my commitment to UCLA, regardless of the coaching situation,” Crissman said. “I didn’t choose UCLA for its coaching staff — I chose it because of the great university that it is.

“But when I heard that Rick Neuheisel was the new head coach, it was awesome. Then when I found out that Norm Chow was the new offensive coordinator, I couldn’t believe it. I had to call a few people to see if it was true. Then my brother Jeff and I were jumping around the house, excited about the great news. It was really exciting.”

Crissman was the only quarterback recruit in attendance at Wednesday’s signing session.

He’s one of three quarterbacks in UCLA’s 2008 recruiting class that as of noon Wednesday, had 22 players sign with the Bruins.

He becomes the third Edison player to attend and play at UCLA, Dave White said.

Former Chargers quarterback Rick Bashore (1976-79 at UCLA) and running back Kaleaph Carter (1989-92) preceded Crissman.

Bashore followed White as quarterback at Edison, and White later coached Carter.

“He’s worked real heard to get the choices that he got,” White said of Crissman.

“UCLA came to watch him workout last spring, and Nick was real sharp in his workout that day and won them over right there.

“I think UCLA is a perfect fit for him. They haven’t had a lot of really successful quarterbacks there in a while, and their offense has been struggling lately. He’s got arm strength, a great knowledge of the game and a terrific work ethic. He’s paid his dues, and he’s earned his scholarship.”

In addition to Crissman, the 12 other UCLA recruits participating in Wednesday’s national letter-of-intent signing day at the restaurant were Jeff Baca, offensive lineman, Mission Viejo; Donovan Carter, middle linebacker, Birmingham (Van Nuys); Derrick Coleman, fullback, Troy (Fullerton); Jonathan Franklin, safety, Susan Miller Dorsey (Los Angeles); Aaron Hester, cornerback, Dominguez (Compton); Damien Holmes, defensive end, Colton; Jerry Johnson, wide receiver, Venice (Los Angeles); Datone Jones, defensive end, Compton; Rahim Moore, cornerback, Susan Miller Dorsey; Antwon Moura, wide receiver, Culver City; Nelson Rosario, wide receiver, El Camino (San Diego), and EJ Woods, cornerback, Crespi (Encino).