That’s how the Charter Oak High School football standout felt about Cal and soon after setting foot on the Berkeley campus he was tweeting out to followers that his mind was made up.

Echols gave a verbal commitment to play at Cal this past weekend during a visit to the Bay Area, thus ending a recruiting process that saw the all-purpose threat pick up offers from

“I went on my visit last weekend and I just loved it. Everything about it,” Echols said. “I went on visits to Oregon, LSU, USC and Washington, but when I went to Cal it’s the first time ever I felt like home.”

Echols is the latest in a bumper crop of college football prospects to announce his college destination. Earlier this month, Glendora quarterback Matt Fink gave a verbal commit to USC. And the Bishop Amat tandem of Trevon Sidney and Tyler Vaughns are still undecided.

“I feel blessed,” Echols said. “I just feels like all the hard work pays off.”

Echols has been a Tribune All-Area selection the past two seasons. Last year, he rushed for 1,141 yards and 18 touchdowns. He also had 44 receptions for 553 yards and six touchdowns.