Tulare (Calif.) linebacker Kevin Palma could be one of the poster boys for why great performances in the summer translate into recruiting and on-the-field success later in the fall. A standout at several camps and combines, Palma saw his stock take off over the past few months and, when an offer from Stanford finally came, it was only a matter of when, not if, he would wind up committing to the Cardinal.
"It was a pretty easy decision," Palma told Rivals. "Academically, program-wise and proximity to home, it felt like truly a great fit for me."
The 6-foot-2, 240-pounder made the news public late Sunday but had actually committed to the coaching staff on Wednesday, just about two weeks after he added the Stanford offer to a collection that included Oregon State, UCLA and several others. With the recruiting process over, the talented linebacker is ready to focus on more important things with his college decision taken care of.
"It's just a big relief," he said. "I don't really have to stress over it anymore. I get to kick back and enjoy the rest of my senior year, pretty much."
Palma becomes the seventh commitment for the Cardinal, which has one of the best linebacker groups in the country with Peter Kalambayi and Isaac Savaiinaea also in the fold. Palma was named MVP at the Bay Area Nike Camp over the summer and has shined since then for his high school team as a MaxPreps preseason all-state pick. Last year as a junior, he racked up 152 tackles and six sacks.
