Bellevue 3-star cornerback recruit Ishaan Daniels cashes in on 'worth,' signs with Weber State University

BELLEVUE, Wash. - A state champion with multiple all-state honors, Bellevue High School's Ishaan Daniels was asked if he accomplished everything he thought possible in high school football.

"I feel like I achieved my goals - and more," Daniels said. "This program has helped set me apart and grow as a person. I feel I have gained so much from this experience."

Well, one of the state's top two-way players added a bow to his career Wednesday when the three-star recruit signed a scholarship to play cornerback at Weber State University, an FCS member of the Big Sky Conference.

The 5-foot-10, 170-pounder broke the news in front of a legion of students, teammates and coaches at the high school, choosing the Wildcats and new coach Mickey Mental over preferred walk-on offers (PWO) from Washington and Washington State University.

"It's big-time football ... and I went with my gut," Daniels said. "I felt I worked hard enough to earn a scholarship."

On his way to establishing himself as one of the state's premier playmakers - he played running back, lined up at wide receiver and was a special-teams return for the Wing-T-based Wolverines - the recruiting buzz was slow to pick up.

Arizona showed early interest. So did the Ivy League schools and Army and Air Force.

But in the past few weeks, it seriously came down to Weber State for money, or the in-state Pacific-12 Conference schools for a shot at earning future money.

"There were frustrating moments in this ... but I know my worth and that I was going to go where I wanted," Daniels said.

Daniels made his first trip to Weber State (and Utah as well) two weekends ago. He said it was love at first sight.

"I was thinking (this would be my next program) on my trip, envisioning myself there interacting with the players and coaches," Daniels said.

UW was tough to turn down, Daniels said, especially since it was his mother's alma mater. But he knows Weber State is a winning program that also sends defensive backs to the NFL.

"He feels he can add value to the program," Bellevue football coach Michael Kneip said. "And they are going to get a guy who is disciplined … and does all the right things.

"He is the guy you want to lead your program."