Football: QB Brad Kaaya sticks with Miami from beginning to end

Quarterback Brad Kaaya of West Hills Chaminade has pulled off one of the biggest surprises of the college recruiting season. He stayed committed to the same school -- Miami -- for nearly nine months. That’s an eternity these days and something difficult to do for a top high school quarterback.

But at 4:02 a.m. on Wednesday, he intends to sign his letter of intent, then fax it to Miami so the school can release it immediately and begin talking about him on ESPN. Then he’ll go back to sleep before heading to Chaminade for a signing ceremony, ending a process that has been challenging.

“Through the process, you have to know the difference between who you can trust and who’s feeding you what you want to hear,” he said.

Kaaya began the spring not considered among California’s elite quarterbacks. He was identified early on by Miami and committed on May 13. During the summer, Kaaya’s profile began to rise and by the fall, his play caused UCLA, USC and Maryland to make offers. That’s when the pressure really started to rise, with friends and others lobbying.

But Kaaya always felt comfortable with Miami, believing it was the program that offered him the best opportunity to play.

Lots of recruiting experts kept making predictions he’d change his mind.

“I was wondering where are they getting these sources from and how credible can they be?” he said.

Kaaya made an official visit to Boise State more than a week ago, perhaps intrigued to see the blue field, which Chaminade also has.

“It’s maybe a hue or two darker,” he said.

In the end, he stuck with Miami.

No drama, no suspense, no decommit. Call it loyalty.

Eric.sondheimer@latimes.com