Nevada prep says he made up recruiting story

RENO -- A northern Nevada prep football player who had claimed he was duped into believing he was recruited to play at a Pacific 10 Conference school admitted Wednesday he made up the story.

Kevin Hart, a 6-foot-5, 290-pound offensive lineman for Fernley High, offered a broad apology in a statement he issued through the Lyon County School District. Hart said he had wanted to play football at a Division I school “more than anything.”

“When I realized that wasn’t going to happen, I made up what I wanted to be reality. I am sorry for disappointing and embarrassing my family, coaches, Fernley High School, the involved universities and reporters covering the story,” Hart said.

Lyon County sheriff’s detectives had been unable to corroborate Hart’s claims that he had been duped by a man he paid to help promote him to college football programs.

Lt. Rob Hall said Hart had not informed detectives of his confession, and they would continue to investigate to see if Hart had broken any laws, such as filing a false police report.

Hart first spoke with deputies Saturday, a day after he announced at a school assembly and a news conference that he would sign with California.

At the announcement ceremony, Hart, with Fernley Coach Mark Hodges at his side, said he talked with Cal Coach Jeff Tedford many times, and that “personal experience” led to his decision to choose the Golden Bears over Oregon.

Hall said detectives will forward their investigation to the district attorney’s office to decide whether prosecution was warranted.