Gorman linebacker finds right fit with Navy, picks school over UNLV

By Ray Brewer (contact)

Sunday, Jan. 24, 2010 | 2:54 p.m.

Bishop Gorman High linebacker Evan Palelei is a firm believer that everything happened for a reason the past four months during his trials and tribulations of being a Division I football prospect.

But, after taking a recruiting trip this weekend to Navy, the three-year varsity performer has found a home.

And, more importantly, the recruiting process is finished.

He committed to Navy at the end of his trip Sunday, becoming the second local to give a verbal commit to the military academy. Palo Verde's Daniel Godkin also plans to sign a letter of intent Feb. 3.

To call Palelei's experience in the recruiting process frustrating would be an understatement.

The 6-foot-3, 225-pound senior initially committed to Stanford last spring, but the two sides agreed to part ways in September. Then, he had interest from Colorado, but said he wasn't keen on Colorado's plans to make him more of a project than someone who could contribute immediately.

He also visited UNLV on the first weekend in January, but ultimately picked Navy.

"It's just the way Navy's program is set up," Palelei said. "It's a great opportunity to play football, and the whole military experience is something special."

Parting ways with Stanford is now a distant memory. He will be the fifth Southern Nevadan in Navy's program, including his teammate on Gorman's 2007 state championship team, offensive lineman Sam Womack. Gorman also won state last fall, with Palelei finishing with 52 tackles and four sacks.

"At times (the recruiting process) was real frustrating with certain schools, but it just means I got this opportunity and the right fit for me," he said.

Palelei said he called his dad, former UNLV and NFL lineman Lonnie Palelei, to inform him of the news. Father and son shared an emotional moment.

"He nearly broke down," Evan Palelei said. "He's was just so happy for me when I called."

Lonnie Palelei spent seven years in the NFL, playing for the Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers and both New York teams. Evan spent many a Sunday afternoon as a child visiting with his dad and others in the locker room.

That spurred his passion for the game. And, as he points out, helped prepare him for the Annapolis, Md., Naval Academy.

"I'm already used to the snow," Evan Palelei jokingly said.

Also on Sunday, Gorman running back Victor Belen committed to Samford University in Birmingham, Ala. Belen was also interested in UNLV and enjoyed his early January trip, but the Rebels didn't have a scholarship available.