Hart’s Connors Stymied in Bid to Land Football Scholarship

Hart High’s Ryan Connors, the first player in Southern Section history to pass for more than 4,000 yards and The Times’ All-Valley back of the year in 1991, remained unsigned by a major college Wednesday, the first day of the signing period for high school athletes.

Connors, who passed for 4,144 yards and 39 touchdowns last season while leading Hart to a Foothill League championship and a berth in the Division III semifinals, said he has received no scholarship offers and is considering attending a one-year preparatory school in Newport, R.I., for the Naval Academy, with hopes of attending Navy the following year.

However, Connors (6 feet, 185 pounds) said he might remain in Southern California and attend a junior college, probably Valley. Connors said walking on at Cal State Northridge is a “slim option.”

Connors said Wednesday that he expects to make a decision within a week.

“I kind of feel pretty sad,” said Connors, an All-Southern Section selection who holds several Hart single-season and career passing records. “I expected to get offers from big-time schools.”

Piloting an explosive run-and-shoot offense, Connors attracted the attention of schools throughout the country, including Miami, Nebraska and UCLA. However, he repeatedly was passed over, most likely because of his height, Hart Coach Mike Herrington said.

“There have been quarterback signings by guys who couldn’t carry Connors’ shoes,” Herrington said. “It’s like height is the only thing (college recruiters) look at.

“I’m frustrated. And I know Connors’ family is frustrated.”

Said Connors: “I don’t know why (there have been no offers). I think I’ve proved that I can play.”

Connors was the leading passer in the state and also became only the third quarterback in state history to pass for more than 4,000 yards. In two years, he completed 478 of 824 passes (58%) for 6,959 yards and 65 touchdowns.

As a senior, Connors completed 61.6% (290 of 471) of his passes. Two of Hart’s receivers--Deriek Charles (1,090) and Doug Distaso (1,071)--finished with more than 1,000 receiving yards.