Football: Santa Margarita’s Erik Bunte appears headed to Mission Viejo

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Erik Bunte, a standout offensive lineman at Santa Margarita who’s committed to UCLA, is leaving for Mission Viejo, according to media reports.

On Wednesday, Mission Viejo Athletic Director Troy Roelen confirmed that Bunte’s mother had made inquiries with the school and was in the process of selling a house and moving into the Mission Viejo district. School begins Thursday.

“Under the current circumstances, I don’t feel like I’m capable of my reaching my true potential at Santa Margarita,” Bunte told Scout.com. “For some reason, my relationship with some of the coaches changed from last year, and I strongly lacked respect. I’m definitely going to miss the guys on the team. They’re all incredible players, and I wish them the best season ever. I just didn’t feel like the program was the right fit for me any more.’

Bunte had not been playing particularly well for the Eagles in the first two games. If he arrives at Mission Viejo, he’d be the third Santa Margarita transfer to join the Diablos in the last month and give Mission Viejo more top transfers than any other program in the Pac-5.

Running back Alex Suchesk and receiver Sean Modster joined the Diablos from Santa Margarita in August.

The starting quarterback, Ian Fieber, transferred from Orange Lutheran. Linebacker Andrew Scott came from Tustin. All have changed residences, making them eligible immediately.

-- Eric Sondheimer