Mahalo for supporting Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Enjoy this free story!
The University of Hawaii football team filled its need for speed with a junior college cornerback.
Dejaun Butler of Santa Monica College told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser he will sign a letter of intent with the Warriors on Feb. 4, the first day recruits may put commitments in writing.
Butler is 6 feet and 187 pounds.
He has been timed at 4.42 seconds over 40 yards, and 10.77 seconds over 100 meters.
"I’m really big on speed and being fast," Butler said.
Butler, who was raised in Los Angeles and played two seasons at Santa Monica, made a commitment to join Washington in 2014. Instead, he returned to Santa Monica to complete work on his associate’s degree, a requirement to transfer to an FBS school.
"It left me on the recruiting table," Butler said.
Butler drew interest from Pac-12 and Mountain West schools. He said defensive coordinator Kevin Clune and defensive backs coach Daronte’ Jones were the initial point recruiters for UH. Both resigned recently, with Clune returning to Utah State and Jones going to Wisconsin.
"It was a pretty crazy recruiting process," Butler said.
But Butler, who visited UH this weekend, said he chose the Warriors because of head coach Norm Chow, the program and the school.
"I really like everyone in Hawaii, and how everyone has treated me," Butler said. "I came out here and enjoyed it. The coaches all showed me love."
During his trip, Butler said, he met "future teammates" and experienced his first surfing lesson.
"I fell a couple times, I’ll be honest," Butler said. "It was a fun, nice experience."
Butler will be reunited with childhood friend D.J. Riggins, a running back who joined the Warriors two weeks ago. Riggins grayshirted last semester.
"He’s a good family friend," Butler said. "I call him ‘Cousin.’ I’ve known him since he was 6 years old. He ran track."
80