QUINCY, CALIF. — A former Nevada high school football player who faked his recruitment is trying to put the past behind him at a California junior college.

Kevin Hart is getting a second chance as an offensive lineman at Feather River College in Quincy, Calif.

The 6-foot-3,, 315-pound Hart made national news in February after he told an assembly at his Fernley, Nev., high school that he had committed to play for California over Oregon.

Hart later claimed he had been the victim of an imposter posing as a recruiting promoter before he admitted making up the entire story. He was never contacted by California or Oregon.

Hart said he divulged everything to Feather River coach Tom Simi upon arriving on campus and took responsibility for his actions.

"It's come up, but everyone's been real cool," Hart told the Reno, Nev., Gazette-Journal. "They've said the past is the past, and that's why I came here. I realize what I did, and I'm not trying to shy away from it. I'm just here to move on and continue my career."

Simi said he was confident Hart would not be a problem even before talking to him.

"He did something wrong, but not something that should keep him out of the game forever," Simi said. "It's not a case of a pathological liar.

"What's the harm in giving the kid the opportunity? He didn't do anything that I deem unforgivable. You're not going to have an 80-man roster without having some kind of skeletons," the coach added.

Hart said his dream is still to play at a Division 1 program.

Feather River opens its season at home against College of the Sequoias.