Kirschke Chooses the Bruins : Football: Esperanza’s defensive tackle, The Times’ county lineman of year, says he has always wanted to attend UCLA.

Esperanza defensive tackle Travis Kirschke has committed to UCLA, the front-runner from the start of the recruiting race for The Times Orange County lineman of the year.

Kirschke, 6 feet 4, 251 pounds, chose the Bruins over USC, Washington, Colorado and Notre Dame. He visited Washington this month and canceled visits to the other schools. He plans to visit UCLA in the near future.

“I always wanted to go there (UCLA),” Kirschke said. “That’s my dream.

“But I didn’t want to just jump into it, I wanted to talk to other schools. But I felt UCLA was the best place for me and I didn’t want to continue on (with visitations).”

Kirschke committed late Monday night during a home visit from UCLA Coach Terry Donahue.

“Earlier in the year, UCLA offered me a full scholarship,” Kirschke said. “And I kept it in the back of my mind.”

Kirschke said he enjoyed the recruiting process but is glad it is over. He said committing early to UCLA will allow other schools recruiting him to offer visits to other recruits.

“I didn’t want to lead anybody on,” he said. “I had become good friends with most of the coaches recruiting me. I didn’t want to lie to them. I didn’t want to waste their time.”

Kirschke said the recent investigation of the Washington football program had no impact on his decision.

“Washington got picked on,” he said, “because they’re good and they’re going to the Rose Bowl.”

This season, Kirschke, a two-time Times’ lineman of the year, led the Aztecs to a 12-1-1 record and the Southern Section Division II championship game, where they tied Los Alamitos, 14-14.

He started as a sophomore, helping Esperanza to a Division III championship in 1990. During his junior season, the Aztecs again reached the finals. Esperanza had a 27-game victory streak during that period.