Eastside Catholic four-star CB Ayden Hector commits to Stanford Cardinal football

Hector becomes Crusaders' third player bound for a power five program

Eastside Catholic High School cornerback back Ayden Hector committed to Stanford on Monday evening in a video posted to Twitter. 

The 6-foot, 198-pound four-star defensive back was an Associated Press first team Washington 3A all-state selection as a junior last year, and helped lead the Crusaders to their third football state title in five years. 

“I chose Stanford because it was really the best fit for me to be able to play Division I football at the highest level and at the same time get the highest education in the world from one of the best schools in the world,” Hector said in his commitment video. “It was almost a no-brainer to me.”

He becomes the third player on Eastside Catholic’s talent-laden roster to commit to a power-five college program. Receiver Gee Scott Jr. is an Ohio State commit and running back Sam Adams II committed to Washington. 

Several other Crusaders — tight end D.J. Rogers, top-flight junior DL J.T. Tuimoloau and sophomore linebacker Dishawn Misa — remain uncommitted.

Hector narrowed down his final list to six in late June, which consisted of mostly Pac-12 schools — Washington, Stanford, Cal, Oregon and USC — in addition to Alabama.

And he’s no stranger to accolades and recognition. As a freshman, Hector played in the freshman All-American Bowl. After his senior season, he’ll play in the Polynesian Bowl in Hawaii and the All-American Bowl in San Antonio, Texas.

Eastside Catholic coach Dominic Daste said Hector’s athletic ability is “phenomenal,” but what separates him is his competitive edge. 

“He’s one of the most competitive people I’ve ever met,” Daste said. “Whether you’re walking up the stairs and you don’t even know he’s racing you. He just wants to win at everything. Whether it be practice, weight room, whatever it is, he just wants to win at everything, and I think that just carries onto the field with him.”

Hector has family ties to the Bay Area. His uncle played for Cal, and he has several relatives living in the Bay Area, including a brother who attends Stanford.