When West Point's Caleb Campbell saw his NFL dreams dashed by a policy change earlier this month, it certainly sparked the interest of Punahou School senior Dalton Hilliard.

The Buffanblu running back is one of the most sought-after recruits in the state with offers from Colorado, Notre Dame, Nebraska, Stanford and Army. Add to that his father is a career military officer.

"Obviously, my dream is to go to the NFL," said the 5-foot-11, 182-pound Hilliard. "I'm keeping my options open. I'm not closing them off. You never want to do that because you never know what's going to happen. My dad's in the military. It might be a road I have to go down, so I'm just keeping it open."

He admits he would like to run a different path from his father.

"Mostly, I've been trying to shy away from it since basically my whole life I've been a military child," Hilliard said. "I've moved around seven times. It's not that I'm shutting it off. I don't want to. But if it comes down to that, then I have to suck it up and be able to do that (go the military route)."

Marine Corps Maj. Larry Hilliard admits he wouldn't mind seeing his son march in formation on the proving grounds, as well as line up in formation on the gridiron.

"I've always told my son it's his choice what school he goes to and which route he goes," Maj. Hilliard said. "For me, either the Naval Academy or West Point would be a great opportunity for him to serve his country and grow up as a young man. I hope that he chooses it. It would be wonderful.

"But first and foremost, we're looking at the education factor for our son, making sure that he gets his degree. Whether he goes to Army or whether he goes to Nebraska, Stanford, wherever, we want to make sure he comes out with a four-year college education."

Hilliard also has offers from Arizona, Utah, UNLV, Washington and Hawai'i.

As for the Campbell situation, father and son were both surprised. Campbell, a safety/linebacker and seventh-round draft pick by the Detroit Lions, was told just before training camp that the Department of Defense had overruled Army's policy of allowing individuals with exceptional skills to pursue professional careers while remaining on active duty. Campbell must serve two years before he can asked to be released from active duty.

"When this happened I felt really bad," Hilliard said. "To work for four years like and to be denied access to the NFL, that's just sad. I would never want that to happen to me. If it did, I think I'd take it pretty hard."

Maj. Hilliard said Campbell handled the situation well. He hopes that Campbell still has a chance to make the Lions after his military commitment.

"That circumstance may hurt Army's recruiting efforts," the major said. "It's every kid's dream to continue to go to the next level. I'm confident that in the near future those things will be re-looked at and maybe young men and women will be given the opportunity, if they're good enough, to play in professional sports after they finish the service academies."

Hilliard said he will take his five official visits after the season. He is looking for a school with a good architectural or business program. Having moved a lot as a military dependent, location isn't a factor.

"I just really want to see how the coach interacts with the players," Hilliard said. "That's the only thing I'm looking at because the program doesn't have to really be a national championship contender every year. I'm looking for a college that's going to fit me."

SHUTTER UPDATE

Punahou quarterback Cayman Shutter has already accepted an offer from New Mexico. After he verbally committed to the Lobos, Hawai'i also made a pitch. But the 6-foot-1, 190-pound senior said he will stick with his decision because "I want to be true to my word until something changes."

Recently, the NCAA docked the Lobos' football program five scholarships for academic violations committed by two former assistant coaches. Shutter said he hasn't heard anything from New Mexico coaches to suggest his scholarship offer might be in jeopardy.