HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – As the University of Hawaii football spring training camp continues, new stars are starting to rise to the top, including a California native who is starting to feel right at home.
“I really feel like a local boy.” UH wide receiver Dior Scott told reporters. “I love it, I love just being part of this culture, Its something that I’m really not used to and for everybody to really embrace me and really accept me, it was kind of new at first. but I’m loving every minute of it.”
Dior Scott began his rainbow warrior career as a walk-on wide receiver, coming out of Laney College in his hometown of Oakland, California.
He played sparingly during the COVID-shortened 2020 season, before earning a scholarship ahead of the following year when he made the switch to running back.
Scott played just one game before making the decision to redshirt for the remainder of 2021.
“I needed last year mentally, it was a mental toll on me and yeah just develop me as a better football player, understanding being a better student of the game, so seeing what was going on last year and see what I can do different this year.” Scott said, “I felt like me redshirting was the best decision for me.”
If Dior looks familiar, he was featured in season Five of the Netflix Docu-series Last Chance U.
Viewers got an up close and personal look at his final season at Laney, becoming an advocate for athletes mental health and showcasing the special bond between player and coach.
“Having (Coach John Beam) in my life is so exponential, like it helped me out so much that that I cant even, words can’t even describe how much they help me out.” Scott said.
Now having spent the last three years on Oahu, Scott has fully engrained himself into the culture of the islands.
he says it’s his way of saying “mahalo” to the people who welcomed him in like family.
Scott is now preparing for his second full season in Manoa and the last Chance U alum says that anytime he steps on the gridiron, he’ll be representing a place that gave him a second chance.
“I appreciate the whole state of Hawaii for really accepting me and embracing me and I’m going to keep embracing you guys everyday I’m out here.” Scott said.
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