Valley High speedster sought after by recruiters

Mona Shield Payne / Special to the Sun

Valley High wide receiver Garic Wharton averaged 13.85 yards per reception in 2008. He is being recruited to major college football programs because of his championship-caliber speed.

By Ray Brewer (contact)

Wednesday, April 1, 2009 | 3:53 p.m.

Garic Wharton needed to be convinced by teammates and coaches at Valley High to come out for the football team last fall.

Wharton had just set a state record in winning the 200-meter dash in 21.1 seconds at the large-school track meet and thought focusing strictly on running sprints would be his ticket to a college scholarship.

Some eight months later, however, that speed is making Wharton a valuable commodity to college football recruiters.

A defensive back and wide receiver, he was offered a scholarship by UNLV in February. Utah and Utah State followed at the end of March.

"I didn't want to risk getting hurt in football when I had such promise in track," Wharton said.

That promise is now on the gridiron. He receives daily communication from multiple schools and anticipates receiving offers from Colorado, Oregon and UCLA before summer.

"You can't coach speed and Garic is definitely fast," Valley football coach John Elwell said. "His speed is pretty much drawing the recruiters."

Wharton caught 34 passes for 471 yards and four touchdowns last fall in Valley's run-first offense.

He missed most of his sophomore season in 2007 with a broken hand and did not attend his first workout last year until mandatory summer practices in August.

Two weeks later, he out-dueled USC signee Torin Harris of Palo Verde, reaching high to grab a touchdown in a scrimmage. That was a good indicator of his potential, Elwell said.

"He is pretty technically skilled and picks up on things quickly," Elwell said. "He is good at both spots (corner and wide receiver) because he aggressively goes after the ball."

Wharton plans to attend UCLA's camp this summer and said he wants to play in the Bruins' Pacific-10 Conference. He was born in Southern California and has family there.

"I'm going to wait until all my offers come in and sit down with my family," he said. "UCLA would be the easiest to adjust to because I have family there."

Wharton still runs track for the Vikings. He will compete with Cimarron-Memorial junior Stephen Nixon -- also a top football recruit -- for state supremacy in the 100 and 200 at state. Nixon has won state in the 100 as a freshman and sophomore.

"I feel like I can race with anyone," Wharton said.

Valley track coach Mark Salzman said Wharton's speed makes him a special athlete. But it more than his quickness that should be attractive to colleges.

"He's an excellent competitor. He is not afraid of challenging anyone," Salzman said. "He has some natural athletic ability and he is obviously doing a lot with that talent to develop."

Ray Brewer can be reached at ray.brewer@lasvegassun.com or 990-2662.