The #2 Safety In Hawaii: Donte Utu

Donte Utu is a 3 Star recruit who plays Safety at Punahou High School. Utu is ranked among one of the top recruits in the nation and is ranked among one of the top Safeties in the nation as well. In addition, Utu is listed as a top 15 recruit in the state of Hawaii and is listed as the #2 Safety in the state of Hawaii. He is committed to play at Stanford.

Who are some role models in your life?

My father is probably my biggest role model. Being a first-generation college graduate, making it to Division I football coming from humble beginnings, it is really inspiring to see. I wouldn’t have accomplished all that I have without him.

What artists do you listen to pregame, to get you hyped up?

I listen to artists like Young Go, Stone II, J.O., and SAS. A lot of these guys are Polynesian artists, which makes it hit close to home.

What are the strengths of your game?

I take pride in my physicality and high IQ. Being able to know and see the play before it happens, and disrupting everything with my physicality are my two biggest strengths.

What is your favorite memory of your career?

My sophomore year, we won the ILH Championship which Punahou hadn’t won in over 10+ years. It was crazy to think that I was a part of turning the tide of Hawaii football in the ILH.

Who is the best player you have ever played with or played against in your career?

When thinking of the best players I have played with, two names come to mind. Tevarua Tafiti and Ko’o Kia. Teva is an outside linebacker currently at Stanford, got to play one season with him as I was a freshman and he was a senior. The way he could single-handedly blow through the O-line and make the play was a scary sight. I have been honored to play alongside Ko’o Kia all my years here at Punahou. His physicality and work ethic is one l have never seen before. He will definitely go down in history as one of the greatest!

What is some advice you would give to an aspiring D1 athlete?

One piece of advice I would tell aspiring D1 athletes is keep the faith, put in the work, and everything will fall into place. An old coach of mine told me that, and it has stuck with me ever since. Keeping the faith in the Man above, your family, your support system, and leaving no doubt in your work, good things will come.

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be?

I would want to visit the motherland, American Samoa. It would be an amazing experience to visit the land of my ancestors and learn about my roots.

How old were you when you fell in love with the game?

I fell in love with the game since the day I could remember. From the flag football days, to the pop warner days, and now in my last year of high school ball, I have loved every minute of it, and wouldn’t choose to have it any other way.

If you could meet one sports hero, who would it be?

Lebron James. In my opinion, the greatest to ever play the game of basketball. He has exceeded every expectation there was, and deals with the most hate I have seen an athlete receive. Handling that makes him very inspirational.