Orange Lutheran football players Markus Kier and Sam Utu signed Wednesday with colleges other than the schools that had received their original commitments.
Kier, a receiver, had committed to Princeton. He signed with UCLA.
Offensive tackle Utu had committed to Alabama. He signed with Southern Methodist University.
Kier and Utu found it difficult to tell the coaches at Princeton and Alabama that they had other plans.
But Princeton made it easy on Kier, and Alabama did the same for Utu.
“It’s very hard to tell someone you’re taking another route,” said Kier, who said Princeton head coach Bob Surace and receivers coach Brian Flinn were supportive.
“They’re great coaches,” Kier said. “Very caring and very loving.”
Utu had the same positive experience with Alabama’s coaches.
“They wished me the best of luck,” Utu said. “It was really hard, but they made the process much easier for me.”
So, why the changes of heart?
For Kier, who had 38 receptions this season, UCLA had always been a goal.
“UCLA’s been a dream school for me since I was a little kid,” Kier said. “It’s the best education you can get on the west side. I’ve been going to UCLA games since I was really young.”
Utu, an All-Trinity League lineman, said SMU’s head coach Rhett Lashlee and offensive line coach Garin Justice impressed him.
“Plus, Southern Methodist is a Christian university,” Utu said. “That’s something I’m really looking forward to.”