Stevenson becomes 19th commitment

Scout.com was able to confirm Thursday night that Dalaunte 'Taz' Stevenson, the No. 81 receiver in the country from Mililani High School on the island of Oahu, has verbally committed to the University of Washington over offers from Washington State, Oregon State, Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, Hawai'i and others.

Doris Sullivan of the PIAA, confirmed the commitment with Stevenson's mother Alyson.

"I did commit today," Taz confirmed with Scout. "It was the best option for me. I talk to them a lot and I'm really familiar with the coaching staff."

Stevenson also confirmed that he'll be taking his official visit the weekend of the Apple Cup. He wanted to get the decision off his chest because the Trojans are in the midst of a big playoff run. They play Kahuku Friday in the second round of the playoffs. He's been battling turf toe, but nothing is going to keep him out.

"There's no excuses for injury," he said.

"During all of this we had talked about all the different options he had," Alyson told Scout.com Thursday night when asked about the process the family went through. "And we just wanted to make sure we were looking at all the places that had my son's best interests at heart.

"Washington was always at the top of the list, and they just us feel warm and fuzzy."

Alyson added that the family has always been very fond of the Huskies' program and even though they are going through a rebuilding phase, Stevenson felt that was where could make his biggest impact. "We just wanted to make sure whatever school he went to, it suits his needs for himself and the school," she said. "And I wanted to make sure he received his education and not just be a football player. And at Washington, he'll get that."

"It's a great fit for Taz," Mililani Head Coach Darnell Arceneaux told Scout. "Washington did a great job recruiting him, and they are the perfect fit for him. With their coaching staff, he'll already be coming from an upbeat staff here, and he knows he fits in with the new staff there."

Arceneaux said that Stevenson's offensive numbers are down a bit - he has 400 rushing yards, 400 receiving yards and eight touchdowns overall - but that's because they are using him more on defense than they ever have. That, and he's also missed two-and-a-half games due to injury. But despite all that, Taz has racked up 45 tackles from his spot in the defensive backfield.

"He's got such a different body type," Arceneaux said. "He could be a big corner, he's that athletic. He could play anywhere on the field. He can contribute on special teams as a punt returner or kick returner."

Taz Stevenson Scout.com Profile