Prep Star Picks College and a New High School

All-L.A. City quarterback Perry Klein, who last November said he would remain at Carson High until graduation, enrolled at his third high school in less than a year this week by transferring to Santa Monica.

That was only the beginning of a busy week for the much-traveled Malibu native.

Wednesday, he signed a letter of intent with UC Berkeley, honoring a verbal commitment he made several weeks ago, and tonight he will perform his last act as a Carson student by attending the school’s football awards banquet at the Carson Community Center.

With that done, Klein says he would like to finish his high school career at Santa Monica without fanfare, although that seems unlikely, given his controversial past.

To many, Klein is perceived as an opportunist, a young man from a wealthy family always in pursuit of a bigger, better deal. He has been criticized for lacking school loyalty and having little regard for others’ opinions.

“I feel bad I’ve been transferring around so much,” he said. “But it’s not really anybody else’s business. Some people may not like it, but it’s not their life. I’m not trying to hurt anybody.

“I’ve never really had one high school. I felt the most loyalty at Carson, but it was too far from my home. That was the problem.”

Klein’s family secured a two-bedroom apartment in Carson last April, allowing him to make the transfer from Palisades High. The Kleins gave up that apartment two weeks ago and said they moved back to their Malibu home. Was renting the apartment a ruse to allow Klein to play football at Carson and help the Colts to a City 4-A championship?

“That’s the way it appears,” said Carson Coach Gene Vollnogle. “I think he did it to better himself. But he helped our team too. He wouldn’t be the first kid who checked into this school to play football. But he’s the first one who made it so obvious.

“I just feel sorry for the kid. I think he’s a little mixed up. I think he’s lacking in friends, but that’s his own fault because he never stays long wherever he goes.”

Klein says he has been reunited with many of his longtime friends at Santa Monica, including Malibu neighbor Kevin Kelly, an offensive lineman who also signed with UC Berkeley on Wednesday. Klein hopes to play volleyball for the Vikings, but that appears to hinge on an anticipated inquiry by the CIF Southern Section regarding students who transfer solely for the purpose of athletics.

Klein says his latest transfer was based more on logistics than athletics.

“I didn’t transfer to Santa Monica to play volleyball,” he said. “When I moved back home (to Malibu), things were different. The drive (to Carson) was crazy. I had to wake up really early to get to school on time.

“I felt bad leaving because the people at Carson were nice to me.”

Then, thinking about tonight’s awards banquet, Klein added: “It’s going to be kind of weird. I don’t think anyone is going to be mad at me. I hope not.”

Klein was one of nine Carson players who signed with four-year colleges Wednesday, the first day prep seniors could officially commit to a school.

Other Colts headed to Pac-10 schools are running back Errol Sapp (Arizona), the L.A. City 4-A Player of the Year, and safety Howard McCowan (USC).

Also signing were defensive back Greg Lindsey, Colorado; offensive guard Morris Unutoa, Brigham Young; linebackers Todd Auvaa and Jeff Leiato, New Mexico; quarterback Fred Gatlin, Nevada-Reno, and fullback/linebacker Samila Manu, Pacific.

Not to be outdone by its cross-stown rival, Banning also had nine players sign with four-year colleges.

Offensive tackle Bob Whitfield, the Pilots’ biggest recruiting prize, is headed to Stanford. He will be joined in the Pac-10 by offensive guard Andy Gonzalez (UC Berkeley) and defensive back Paul Montgomery (Oregon State).

Rounding out Banning’s recruits were linemen Carlson Leomiti and Tommy Siufanua and defensive back Eric Williams, San Diego State; wide receiver Lamont Shedrick and linebacker Randy Woolridge, Northern Arizona, and wide receiver Johnny Lawrence, Cal State Fullerton.

Hawthorne quarterback Curtis Conway, one of the most highly rated college prospects on the West Coast, signed a letter of intent with USC contingent on his scoring 700 on the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT), needed to be eligible as a freshman under NCAA rules.

“They’re going to wait for him to pass the test,” said Hawthorne track Coach Kye Courtney. “If he can’t, that’s it. They’re not going to bring him in as a (Proposition 48 athlete).”

Conway has taken the SAT twice. He failed to score 700 on his first attempt and has not gotten the results from his second. Courtney said Conway will take the SAT three more times before June regardless of his score because he wants to get the highest grade possible.

Conway was one of three South Bay standouts who signed with the Trojans. Also headed to USC are South Torrance wide receiver John Morton and Carson’s McCowan.