iREBEL: Dalton Baker - University of Nevada Las Vegas Athletics

Born and raised in Las Vegas, Dalton Baker is a senior safety who won multiple state championships while playing at Bishop Gorman High School under Tony Sanchez before deciding to continue his football career at UNLV. In 2016 his story about earning a full scholarship was chronicled by Tom Rinaldi for ESPN's College Gameday. One of four team captains in 2018, he picked up his first collegiate interception last week in San Jose and currently ranks 13th in the nation in tackles with 89. He and his teammates return to Sam Boyd Stadium this weekend to play first-place Fresno State. That gives Baker just one more home game to look forward to in his football career as UNR comes to town for Senior Night November 24. Here is his story in his own words:

iREBEL by Dalton Baker

Out of high school I only had a D-2 offer – Colorado-Mesa in Grand Junction. I made a visit there and didn't like it much and I decided that I liked Las Vegas so much that I should stay here and play at my hometown school. I had to grayshirt to get a shot at a roster spot so I took a year off, which was a tough thing to do. But it did make me realize how much I really like football and how much I missed it.

I came out for spring ball with the previous staff (under head coach Bobby Hauck). I didn't play much then. Next, I got to fall camp and tried really hard on the scout team. After that season, when I heard that Coach Sanchez was coming here, I was stoked. I called my mom right away and said "You'll never guess who our new coach is." It's crazy how it turned out -- but it's awesome.

I never thought all of this would happen. I'm very blessed. I have a great support system at home. My parents (Sean and Keisha) are super supportive and my two sisters (Madison and Chelsea), who are both UNLV cheerleaders, are probably my biggest fans. I go out and try to play my butt off for them, for my teammates and for myself.

We all have pretty hectic schedules but every night around 8 we get together to talk about our days, have a meal or go over our homework. We all still live in our parents' house. I'm staying there for as long as I can. My parents love having all of their kids at home being involved in athletics and staying out of trouble. I told them my wife is going to have to be okay with living with my parents!

This is my third season on scholarship, which has been a major blessing in my life. I kind of never felt like I was truly playing D-I until that scholarship validated it for me. This year I was voted a team captain. I had always been quiet – I'm not that guy who is loud or yelling. I lead by my actions more than anything. Midway through last season some of the guys on defense started coming up and asking me what to do, where to go. It would be selfish to not share knowledge so I figured if I could help in any way, then I would. It meant a lot to be voted a captain. I think back to when I was 18 years old and deciding if I could even play college football. Then I walk on, they keep you around, give you a scholarship, become a starter and then four years later you're becoming a captain. Not in my wildest dreams did I think that would happen.

Finishing with 99 tackles last year bugged me because it means I could have done just a little more. Also, during the first play of the season on kickoff I made the tackle but there was a penalty and it didn't count so I know there was a 100th tackle in there. Finishing one short has motivated me to do better this year.

When I first got to college I had a low GPA, I am embarrassed to say. I had to meet with academic services to make sure I wouldn't flunk out and now I have over a 3.0. Once I got to college, I really started enjoying the academics. I like learning. I'm a business management major who will graduate in December. I may go help my dad out and work with him in construction or I may continue in school. Maybe go to medical school – add another, what, 10 years to my education? I want to stay in Las Vegas forever. I can't picture myself living anywhere else.

I was born here after my parents moved south from Lake Tahoe in 1993. My dad helped build the Luxor and other casinos back then. I will be the first person in my family to graduate from a university. My parents are stoked for me and then for my sisters for when they graduate from UNLV.

Being a Rebel has been a big blessing. This place has given a lot to me and hopefully I have given some back to the school – even if it's just a little bit -- to show how grateful I am for what it has done to me.

People ask me about my hair. I grew it out for a year and a half. I wanted to see how long I could go without a haircut. I cut it short this year because that Monday after the USC game I woke up and had three dreadlocks and I thought it was time. I will say that my man bun was sick. No one has a better bun than I did. It is undefeated on the team.

I have four regular-season games left in my career. I can't believe it -- 16 quarters of football. Can I get more? Is there any way possible?

UNLV faces Fresno State Nov. 3 starting at 7:30 p.m. For tickets, visit UNLVTickets or call (702) 739-FANS (3267).

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Dalton Baker

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