Updated: SRV Quarterback Zach Kline Commits to Cal

San Ramon Valley High quarterback Zach Kline will remain in the East Bay to play college football.

He received and accepted a verbal offer from University of California head coach Jeff Tedford on Sunday

Cal cannot offer the junior a written scholarship yet due to NCAA rules and Kline's commitment isn't binding, but the junior said he is 100 percent committed.

"Coach Tedford told me that they have a scholarship waiting and I waited about ten seconds," Kline said. "Then I told him I was ready to give a solid verbal and I wanted to be a Bear."

"It's the school I've wanted to go to since I was four years old."

Kline established himself as one of the nation's premier quarterback recruits during the summer combines and camps and picked up an offer from Oregon State in June. Since then, he's also heard from Alabama, Florida, Notre Dame, Stanford, UCLA, Oregon and Nebraska.

Has the constant recruiting attention been overwhelming at times?

"I really don't even think about it," Kline said. "I just figured if I focus on working hard and playing like I usually do, then the recruiting would take care of itself — and it did."

Despite his verbal commitment to Cal, coaches from other schools will almost certainly continue to recruit him. His message to them will be simple.

"I'll just tell them, 'Thank you for your interest, but my heart and soul is with Cal,'" he said. "I don't want to waste their time, I'm a Bear."

Kline's relationship with Tedford is something he described as "father-son like."

"Man, it goes beyond football," he said. "I can go to Tedford and talk to him about everything. We have a strong relationship; he's the type of coach every player literally dreams of playing for."

He was 14-for-21 for 133 yards in his debut as the Wolves' starter in their 16-13 win over Mitty on Friday.

He'll be the fourth-straight San Ramon Valley quarterback to earn a scholarship joining Corbin Louks (class of 2007, Utah/Nevada), Joe Southwick (2009, Boise State) and Chris Comes (2010, North Dakota).

"We've definitely had a run of some good kids (at SRV)," San Ramon coach Mark Kessler said.

Verbal commitments are non-binding and Kline will not be able to officially sign a Letter of Intent until Signing Day in February of 2012. 

Former San Ramon quarterback Sam Keller (2003) verbally committed to Michigan before signing with Arizona State and eventually transferring to Nebraska. Current Stanford quarterback Brett Nottingham of Monte Vista originally committed to UCLA before deciding on Stanford.

Cal, which is currently ranked No. 24 in the FBS Coaches poll, has three Danville residents on its roster in Michael Costanzo, Quinn Tedford and David Wilkerson — all of Monte Vista. 

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