The University of Hawaii football team wasted little time in filling a need, securing a commitment from running back Domonique Small of Cerritos College in Norwalk, Calif.
Small will help replenish a unit with depth concerns. Aofaga Wily is retiring because of medical issues stemming from a concussion he suffered as a freshman last year. Walk–on Max Broman, who redshirted in 2013, will not return because of financial reasons. D.J. Riggins, who signed with UH in February, will delay enrolling until January while recovering from shoulder surgery.
After evaluating numerous prospects, UH made an offer to Small.
"I always wanted to go to Hawaii," Small said. "This is a perfect opportunity."
Small is awaiting approval of his UH application. When finalized, Small is expected to enroll in UH’s Summer Session II, which begins July 7.
Small is 5 feet 11 and 190 pounds. He said he was hand-timed twice running 40 yards in sub-4.5 seconds during a training session at Cerritos.
The Falcons ran a pro-set system in which four running backs rotated. In 2013, Small carried only 27 times for 218 yards, an average of 8.1 yards per rush.
Two other Cerritos running backs are transferring to FBS schools. Elijhaa Penny will play for Idaho and Tonny Lindsey will attend Utah State.
Although he might have been named after basketball Hall of Fame member Dominique Wilkins — his father said yes, his mother offered a different version — Small’s favorite sport has always been football. He began playing football at age 7. He ran track as a Mayfair High sophomore only to gain speed for football.
Small earned an associate’s degree this month, an eligibility requirement for a junior college transfer. He will have two years to play two UH seasons.
Small said he will sign a scholarship agreement when he arrives in Hawaii.
Joey Iosefa, Steven Lakalaka and Diocemy Saint Juste are the Rainbow Warriors’ top running backs.
CORRECTION: Domonique Small committed to the University of Hawaii football team. His name was misspelled in an earlier version of this story and the story in Thursday’s Star-Advertiser.
