Westlake’s Walendy Will Sign With UCLA

THOUSAND OAKS —  Westlake High Craig Walendy, the Marmonte League’s co-offensive player of the year, said Wednesday he will sign a letter of intent to play football at UCLA.

Walendy chose the Bruins after visiting the campus last weekend. He also visited Oregon State and canceled scheduled trips to Cal and Texas.

“(UCLA) just felt like home to me,” Walendy said. “I’ve been following them throughout my childhood. It’s the place for me.”

Walendy (6 feet 1, 215 pounds) played nearly every down this season for the Warriors, who had few two-way players. He started at fullback, rushing for 638 yards and 11 touchdowns, and regularly played linebacker.

He said he expects to play fullback at UCLA.

Walendy was picked by coaches to the All-Ventura County team as a running back and he made the All-Southern Section Division III team as a utility player. He was a Times all-county second team selection at linebacker.

Walendy is one of three Westlake seniors who will sign Feb. 1, the first day of the NCAA football signing period.

Linebacker Eric Guenther has committed to Illinois and All-American receiver Billy Miller will choose among UCLA, USC, Washington and Colorado.

Walendy said he will spend the next two weeks trying to persuade Miller to be a Bruin, too.

“I’m already working on him,” Walendy said. “Coach (Terry) Donahue told me that’s my job now, to get Billy here.”