Royal’s Zirnite Makes Oral Commitment to Fresno State : Football: Center says he will sign with Bulldogs in February. Teammate Reddington will play for the Naval Academy.

Royal High center Steve Zirnite, Ventura County co-offensive lineman of the year, said Wednesday he will sign a letter of intent to play football at Fresno State.

Another Royal player, fullback Mike Reddington, said he will attend the U.S. Naval Academy.

Zirnite (6 feet 4, 270 pounds) will sign during the NCAA football signing period in February.

Reddington (5-9, 200) has not yet received his appointment to the Naval Academy, but he has a “letter of assurance” from the school guaranteeing him a spot, he said.

Zirnite was considered among the area’s best nose guards before the season, but he impressed more coaches at center.

He shared the offensive line award, chosen by the league’s coaches, with John Raymond of Buena. Zirnite was also an All-Marmonte League pick.

He chose Fresno State over UNLV. He had planned visits to New Mexico and Northwestern, but called them off after choosing the Bulldogs. Zirnite said Fresno State will use him on the offensive line.

“I felt at home there,” Zirnite said. “It was weird. It felt like Simi Valley almost, but in a college atmosphere. The coaches were great. (Fresno State Coach Jim) Sweeney is a great guy.”

Reddington, who rushed for 854 yards this season, chose Navy over the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y.

He will play next season for the Naval Academy prep school, which is the equivalent of redshirting, Reddington said.

“The Naval Academy offers everything I want in a school,” he said.

“It’s probably the best education in the country and it’s Division I football. And it’s a career after I get out of college, which is more than I could expect from any other school.”