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3-star athlete Raider Damuni honors eighth-grade commitment, sticking with BYU

SHARE 3-star athlete Raider Damuni honors eighth-grade commitment, sticking with BYU
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Timpview’s Raider Damuni intercepts an Orem pass in the 5A football state championship game at Cedar Valley High in Eagle Mountain on Friday, Nov. 20, 2020.

Spenser Heaps, Deseret News

Raider Damuni committed to BYU in eighth grade. In 2021, he will get the opportunity to step on the field for the Cougars. On Friday night, Damuni announced that he was honoring his commitment to BYU and signing with the Cougars.

“As an eighth-grader, I was blessed with an opportunity that most football players dream of their whole life, the opportunity to play the game that I am so passionate about, and at the same time, have my education paid for,” Dumani said in a video he tweeted.

By staying committed to the Cougars, the 6-foot-2, 190-pound athlete is one of 12 in BYU’s 2021 class. Damuni, who played safety and running back for Timpview, is rated three stars by 247 Sports and is one of the top recruits in the state of Utah.

Damuni had offers from Utah, Oregon, Nebraska, Wisconsin, Stanford and Utah State, among others.

“As I got older, more recruiting interest and offers started to come from coaches that believed in my abilities. I felt it was best to give every school a fair shot and reconsider,” Dumani said.

Ultimately, Damuni decided to honor his eighth-grade commitment and stay home, choosing BYU. His father, Jack Damuni, is BYU’s recruiting coordinator.

“In 2016, I made a commitment to be loyal, strong and true. After much thought and prayer, I have decided that’s a commitment I’d like to keep. I’m staying home. Go Cougs!” Dumani said.