Santa Ana High football star Patrick McMorris commits to play Division 1 football at San Diego State University

Santa Ana’s Patrick McMorris announced his future decision on Sunday. (FILE PHOTOS: Fernando M. Donado, For OC Sports Zone)

Santa Ana High School football star Patrick McMorris announced on Twitter Sunday that he is headed to San Diego State University to play Division 1 college football.

“This decision was not easy, but after much consideration I am grateful to announce I will be accepting a Division 1 football scholarship and am committing to further my academic and athletic careers at San Diego State University,” he said in his tweet.

To see a slide show of Patrick McMorris, please click on the first photo

The talented running back/defensive back began his announcement by saying that:

“I would first like to thank my father and my whole family for being big supporters through this journey. I would also like to thank Santa Ana High School and the coaching staff for getting me to the position I am today.”

McMorris had an amazing senior season for Santa Ana High School after playing just half a league schedule after transferring from Godinez (a CIF rule) and was named the MVP of the Orange Coast League. He also played in three CIF Division 8 playoff games, leading the Saints into the semifinal round where they lost to Kaiser 51-33.

“Patrick is an amazing athlete who emerged as one of the top overall players in the area on any level,” Santa Ana head football coach Charlie TeGantvoort said last week.

The Saints defensive coordinator Dee Meza announced just last week that San Diego State had made McMorris an offer (please click here for the story).

McMorris had 2,464 all-purpose yards: 1,801 yards rushing along with 23 touchdowns and 375 receiving yards and three touchdowns. On defense, he had 99 tackles and three interceptions.

TeGantvoort, Santa Ana’s head coach, offered his congratulations on Twitter to McMorris on Sunday.

“It is confirmed,” TeGantvoort told OC Sports Zone. “Nick Larriva (who has committed to Idaho State) was the first full Division 1 football scholarship for the whole district in a couple decades and now Patrick is the second. Big things are definitely happening at Santa Ana High School for these amazing student athletes.”

To see the story on Larriva committing please click here

McMorris had a sensational start to his Santa Ana High career in September against Costa Mesa (please click here to see the video, story and photos).

McMorris also considered offers from Weber State, Sacramento State, Cal Poly (in San Luis Obispo) and Idaho State.

McMorris began his football career by playing youth football with the Irvine Chargers.

-Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com