One More Obstacle : Dorsey’s Star Receiver Awaits SAT Results

Antonio Carrion has cleared a number of on-the-field obstacles in his quest to play college football, such as injuries and defenses that might keep him from improving his statistics. But he has cleared them so well that recruiters are practically tripping over each other to get his attention.

Now, the Dorsey High School senior wide receiver has one more hurdle to clear.

But this time, it’s off the field.

Under National Collegiate Athletic Assn. guidelines, to be eligible to play football his first season, Carrion must graduate with a 2.0-or-better grade-point average and score at least 700 on the Scholastic Aptitude Test.

Half the battle seems won: Carrion’s grade average is 2.2. And on Oct. 17, he took the SAT. If he meets the NCAA’s entrance standards, Carrion will have the difficult-but-enviable task of choosing one school from those that have sent hundreds of letters and brochures that he keeps in two boxes in his bedroom.

The 5-foot-10, 165-pound Carrion is considered one of the nation’s top wide-receiver prospects by recruiting experts. “You just try to keep things in perspective. Last year, no one knew who I was, so I never thought about all of this. Now that it is happening, I’m just trying to enjoy it. I’m still the same Antonio, though.”

There is still plenty of pressure.

The 18-year-old spends most of his time at school and at football practice, so when he is at home, he tries to catch up on homework. Recruiting takes away from his studies. Carrion said he receives so much mail that he does not have time to read it all, only letters that are hand-written. Coaches call at all hours, as early as 7 and as late as 11.

Although the national signing day is not until February, this month Carrion must select the five schools he will visit as part of the official recruiting process. So far, he has decided to check out Colorado and San Diego State, where he thinks he would have the chance to play right away.

After discussing the trips with his coach, parents and grandmother, Carrion said he will lock himself in his bedroom and make the final decision.

“Ultimately, it’s all up to me,” Carrion said. “I have to take all the information and decide where I will be the best off. It’s a huge decision.”

Meanwhile, Carrion, who also plays defensive back and returns punts, is helping Dorsey defend its Division 4-A title. Through Oct. 24, he had eight touchdown receptions, one covering 82 yards against San Pedro.

His success on the football field was a bit of a surprise, considering he skipped the sport as a sophomore at Crenshaw to concentrate on Cougars’ basketball, one of the state’s most respected programs. Carrion, one of the few sophomores to break into the team’s starting lineup, received some attention from college scouts.

Despite a generally positive experience at Crenshaw, Carrion obtained a permit to transfer to Dorsey his junior year because of the Dons’ up-and-coming basketball program. The move also gave him the opportunity to return to the football field.

Dorsey football coach Paul Knox said he knew of Carrion and his reputation for being a top athlete. Although Carrion wanted to play quarterback, Knox persuaded him to switch to wide receiver, the team’s weakest position.

It didn’t take long for Carrion to make a name for himself. With his blazing speed, he made several big catches in leading Dorsey to one of its finest records (11-1-1), and he finished the season with 871 yards in receptions and nine touchdowns.

“The biggest problem with Antonio is that he is so talented and competitive that he often has the same expectations of everyone else around him. So, he can get a little frustrated at times,” Knox said.

However, Carrion’s season ended when he sprained his left ankle on a spectacular 53-yard reception during the 4-A championship game against Wilmington Banning. The catch set up the go-ahead touchdown, but Carrion was not able to return to action. And the ankle healed so slowly that he missed basketball season too.

The ankle is fine now and Carrion is playing well. He’s among the City’s leaders with 22 receptions for 506 yards and eight touchdowns. If he stays healthy, Carrion plans to play basketball.

Changing schools, sports and positions have not been easy decisions. Carrion often turns to his grandmother, Alexzena Douglas, who has been the legal guardian for him and his younger sister, Danyelle, most of their lives. Douglas lives in a six-bedroom house in South-Central Los Angeles.

Carrion’s parents, Anthony Carrion and Stephanie Douglas, were divorced two years ago and now live out of state.

Alexzena Douglas, who has helped in raising eight of her grandchildren, attends some games and offers encouragement: “I think it is terrific that Antonio loves sports, and I think he should continue with them if that is what he wants. He’s always done well.”