Based on the improvement he's made the last two years at Boyle, that's probably an understatement. Even what he did in track last season indicated his potential when he went from a non-factor statewide in the shot put early in the season to placing fifth in the Class AA state meet with a toss of 47 feet, 4 1/2 inches.
Obviously, Kentucky is well aware of Dawson because recruiting coordinator Chuck Smith is a former head coach at Boyle County and friends with many of the coaches still. The University of Louisville is watching. So are the other state schools.
"I think he will get lot of looks from a lot of schools outside the state. His name is not out there a lot yet, but it will be because of the skills he has," French said. "There's no doubt he can play big-time college football. He could play tight end or play on the defensive side as well.
"He's a load in high school. When he runs the football, not many of our kids want to tackle him. It's just too bad he's not a sophomore like he could be age-wise."
Hard worker
Opponents may not want to tackle him, either, because of his size, strength and speed. But his blocking is also what could help make running back Rees MacShara a dominant running back again this year because when Dawson clears a hole, MacShara is going to find a lot of room to run.
French says Dawson is a "hard worker" in the weight room and often runs on his own. But he's also equally diligent about his academics.
"He is a very intelligent young man and makes good grades. He is an outstanding citizen and a very, very good player. He's going to be the total package for some school and I would think a lot of them are going to be offering soon," the Boyle coach said.
Size. Speed. Strength. Grades. What's not to like?
French says Dawson didn't make the summer camp circuit like a lot of prospects do to impress college coaches. Instead, his play this season is what the recruiters will be evaluating.
"Kentucky has not offered, but they usually want prospects to come to their camp first," French said. "They may wait until next summer for that. That would be my guess.
"But there could be a lot of other major schools come in here before that because this kid is pretty special. They may want to try and come in here and steal him early."
Maybe, but if Dawson continues to develop and improve like he has the last year, it's hard to believe that anyone other than Smith will make the first of what should be numerous scholarship offers to Dawson.
