Newport Harbor’s Farrel South headed to Cal

Newport Harbor High senior Farrel South has verbally committed to Cal for men’s water polo, he said Monday.

South said he made the decision Sunday, on Christmas Day. He was also considering UCLA and USC.

“I just felt like I was already a part of the team [at Cal] whenever I visited,” South said. “It felt like home.”

South was the Newport-Mesa Player of the Year this year for boys’ water polo. The Sunset League MVP scored a team-high 85 goals for the Sailors (25-2). He was also a first-team All-CIF Division I selection.

South said he called Cal Coach Kirk Everist on Sunday to let him know the news.

“I told him, ‘I have one more Christmas present for you – I want to become a Bear,’” South said.

South can sign his national letter of intent on Feb. 1.

matthew.szabo@latimes.com

Twitter: @mjszabo