The University of Hawaii football team went to good lengths — 6 feet 4 — to boost its defensive secondary.
Donovan “Dub” Dalton, a 195-pound cornerback from Saguaro High in Scottsdale, Ariz., told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser he has orally accepted a scholarship offer from the Rainbow Warriors.
“I chose Hawaii because I felt most comfortable there,” said Dalton, who completed his UH-sponsored recruiting visit on Sunday. “I felt like it was my home there. I fit in real well with all the players. … I really like coach (Nick) Rolovich. He’s trying to change the program up there. He’s pretty up front with his players. He’s real. He seems like a good dude. He wants you to do well in life.”
Dalton was born and raised in Minnesota before moving to Arizona following his sophomore year of high school. His Apple Valley High basketball team won the Minnesota 4-A state championship in 2013. Dalton was a shooting guard. Tyus Jones and Gary Trent Jr. were teammates. Jones was the Cleveland Cavaliers’ first-round pick in 2015 before being traded to Minnesota as part of the deal featuring Kevin Love and Andrew Wiggins. Trent Jr., now at Prolific Prep in Napa, Calif., recently committed to Duke.
“I played with some high- caliber dudes,” Dalton said.
After moving to Arizona, Dalton focused solely on football. “That’s my love at heart,” Dalton said.
He was a wideout at Desert Mountain High as a junior. This past season, he transferred to Saguaro High and switched to defensive back. He will compete at corner for the Warriors.
“I don’t care which side of the ball I’m on,” Dalton said. “I’m going to go out there and give it my best. … My ultimate goal is to win the Mountain West division (title), and get to some bowl games.”
UH’s two starting corners — Jalen Rogers and Jamal Mayo — are seniors.
Dalton said he inherited his nickname from his father, Donny. “When he was in college, he got the nickname ‘Dub,’” Dalton said. “He passed it on to me. I used to be Little Dub, but I’m not little anymore. But that’s how I got the nickname.”
