Wide open is a good descriptor for Pacifica High School defensive back Dayton Aupiu–when it comes to where he’s looking for a college and how he’s utilized on the field. Listed by the recruiting services as an athlete, he is being recruited by Washington as a defensive back.
“I am also a receiver and the team’s emergency QB,” he said. “When both of our quarterbacks are out, I go in and play QB.”
As a freshman he was pressed into service in a five-game stretch, leading the Tritons to a 5-0 record during that time.
However, “wide open” is not a word often used to describe Aupiu as a defensive back. His freshman season he had a single interception in five games, but he knocked down 8 passes. Last season the Husky-target picked off four more balls (two were nullified by penalties away from the play) and had ten more 10 that he defended in Pacifica’s ten-game season. He added two forced fumbles and 2 fumble recoveries.
“I have a long wing-span,” the 6-2, 175-pound prospect said, but doesn’t know his actual measurements for that. “But most of my deflections were hits from my safety position. Playing QB helped me know what quarterback sees.”
Knocking down 18 passes in 15 games in first two seasons will put a young man onto many college coach’s radar. Arizona was his first Power 5 offer, in late March. Colorado followed suit on May 2nd and the Washington offered him on the 24th of May.
This off season, and during 7 on 7 for Premier LA, he’s working hard to turn some those batted down passes into interceptions. And when he does pick off a ball he flips it into the air and mimics shooting it out of the sky.
“In 7v7 team I play for Premium LA. We pick it and kick it,” he laughed as he explained his post-interception celebration where he throws the ball into the air and play shoots it like it’s a lame duck. “But it’s only something I do in 7’s. In a tackle game that would make my coach angry because it would be a 15-yard penalty.”
Pick from last weekend at pylon LA 🅿️ @premiumsportsla pic.twitter.com/lDTgq0TrSD
— Dayton (Dayday) Aupiu (@aupiu45) March 18, 2022
Dayton’s older brother Devin, now an edge defender for the UCLA Bruins, is 3 years older. The two never got to see the filed together before high school. Then his freshman year when things appeared finally line up that they could be on the field at the same time his freshman year.
“The season got delayed because of Covid,” and that changed the plan, Dayton recalled. “Devin enrolled early at Notre Dame before we got to play in the spring.”
Devin has since transferred to UCLA for the 2021 season–when Dayton popped up on the Washington’s radar. Being recruited by Jimmy Lake at the time, Dayton visited Seattle once, to see the UCLA game in 2021– and to see his brother Devin play against the Huskies.
Despite growing up just minutes away from the beach, a beach lifestyle won’t be a factor when he decides on his college destination.
“The playbook and a good connection with the coaches,” he said. “And a place where I could see myself living and being comfortable for 4 years. I could most definitely see myself in Seattle.”
Two of his Pacifica teammates, 2023 linebacker Jordan Whitney and 2023 cornerback Maliki Crawford hold Washington offers. Although the trio have joked about being a package deal, he knows that they’ll all have to choose their own paths. However, all three hold the Huskies in high regard, with UW making the final cut for Whitney and Crawford.
As for Dayton and Devin being a package deal Dayton said that to two would like to square off on the football field, “We always want to hit each other when we’re on different teams.”
“Coach Juice (Julius Brown) offered me,” he said, saying that the new Washington defensive back coach lives up to his nickname, “Juice.”
And with Brown Aupiu has the type of relationship he’s looking for.
“He brings a lot of knowledge and intensity,” Aupiu said after interacting with Brown on the field. “He’s always talking, helping out. Growing never stops.”
