Kai Millner on Cal Commitment, "It Was the Perfect Spot"
Kai Millner joined Cal's 2021 class Thursday afternoon in the midst of a dead period, one that halted any visits the Higley (AZ) quarterback planned to take. That time became time to think about where he recruitment stood, and it led him back to the last school he'd visited, back to Cal.
"With everything going on, it was kinda rough not seeing the schools that I wanted to," Millner noted, "but at the end of the day, it just felt right. Everything fell into place, it was the perfect spot, and I took a while to really think if I needed to see other places, and in my gut, I just knew, and made the decision to commit."
He informed the Cal staff prior to announcing his commitment on Twitter, as he's not only built a relationship with Bill Musgrave and Charlie Ragle (his main recruiters), but head coach Justin Wilcox.
"They were super excited, which made me feel even more excited," Millner said, "it was a great time, I felt like they really wanted me to go to school there, so it was a great couple phone calls. (I've talked with Wilcox) a good bit, I’ve started to build a good relationship as well, he was really excited as well. He’s a great guy, so that was definitely a part of the decision as well."
One of his next calls was to his former and future teammate, Spencer Brasch, as Millner backed up Brasch at Higley.
"I’ve known Spencer for a while," Millner said, "even before we were playing together in high school. He’s one of my close friends, so it’s really cool to say we’re going to be teammates again in the same place. I think that’s going to be a lot of fun."
Millner was offered by Musgrave, the only QB that Musgrave has offered since getting to Cal. The connection that the two have built was a major factor in landing Millner's commitment, as well as Musgrave liking Millner's style of play.
"We built a connection and a relationship from the beginning," Millner noted. "Him continuing to recruit me, to talk to me was definitely a big factor in making that decision for sure. I really like him a lot, it was a great fit. I like to say I’m a pass first guy, I’m able to throw the ball, being able to extend plays is something that he liked, and I think my ability to do that will really tie in to what they’re trying to do."
Millner last visited Cal at the beginning of March, which allowed him to meet fellow commits Akili Calhoun and Jermaine Terry while there. Now he's their future teammate.
"We’ve stayed in touch and I’m sure we’ll pick up even more now," Millner noted. "I got to meet Jermaine and Akili when I was up there. We stay in touch over the phone, and I’m definitely looking forward to getting to know them even more."
Millner will also give his head coach another reason to come back to the East Bay. Higley coach Eddy Zubey is from Concord, and attended East Bay power De La Salle, and he'll have two quarterbacks playing for Cal in Millner and Brasch.
"I talked a lot to him throughout this process," Millner said, "he’s been a great help and he’s been very involved, he’s definitely super excited."
Right now, Millner is working out in the house, finding ways to throw, working out with his brother, and doing what's needed to stay sane and in shape through the shelter-in-place in the state of Arizona. Committing gave him one less thing to worry about as he prepares to lead Higley into the land of 6A Arizona football, the highest classification in the state.
"It’s super exciting," Millner said, "super blessed, it’s kinda crazy working so hard for so long, and now I’m at that point, it’s a kinda crazy feeling, hard to describe it .That was one of the big things (about committing), now I can focus on my senior season and try and win some games."
