Year in and year out, the Saguaro defensive line features Division I talent getting after opposing quarterbacks. While last year’s group had its fair share of playmakers, one player who took steps into that Division I conversation was 2021 defensive tackle Darrion Dalton.
On Monday, he made that distinction official by committing to San Diego State.
Dalton notched 60 tackles, 20 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks in 2019. In addition to the Aztecs, Dalton holds offers from Air Force, UNLV, Idaho, NAU, Fordham, Northern Colorado, Lehigh, Navy and Army.
“Honestly, I think they’re getting a Power 5 defensive tackle that they probably benefited from Darrion not having a spring ball,” Saguaro head football coach Jason Mohns said. “He’s grown probably an inch-and-a-half and put on 35 pounds since the end of his junior year, where he really kind of came out of nowhere to have an all-state type of a season.”
It’s not just the size that makes Dalton an intriguing college prospect. It’s that he’s performing at a high level while being one of the younger members of the Sabercat roster.
“The kid is 6-foot-3 and 1/4 barefoot, he’s got a 6-foot-7 wingspan and he’s only 16 years old,” Mohns said. “He’s younger than a lot of my (class of 2022 players). I think he’s got a great frame. He’s been a two-year varsity basketball player, the kid can dunk a basketball. He’s super athletic and really light on his feet for his size…I think Darrion is just starting to scratch the surface for what he can be physically.”
Darrion won’t be the only Dalton in the Mountain West either. At some point in the 2021 season, the Aztecs will play the University of Hawaii, where his brother, Donovan Dalton, is a starting safety.
“That’s very surreal,” Dalton said. “Both of us, our dreams have been to play Division I football. To make it a reality and play against each other will be really special.”
Dalton will join Ironwood quarterback Will Haskell as San Diego State commits from Arizona’s 2021 class. The defensive tackle said he’s already talked to Haskell about being teammates.
Dalton went in-depth with the Venezia’s Pizzeria Recruiting Roundup to discuss the Aztecs, his football family and what San Diego State fans can expect from him.
