Interview: Georgia Class of 2020 ATH Dawson Ellington Secures Offer from Louisville

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

Ask any “old timer”, which at this point is anyone over the age of 30, maybe a couple of years younger, and they will tell you the world of college football recruiting has changed drastically. Even up to 10 years ago, maybe 15, getting an offer during a player’s junior season was rare and a really big deal. Now the early offers are a more common place with most colleges drawing the line after or during a player’s sophomore season. Even that unwritten rule is seemingly fallen by the wayside. Colleges are now expanding their recruiting base to include talented eighth graders.

The practice has become more commonplace than one might realize with even the best of the best programs looking to establish that early edge on the recruiting trail against their competitors. In 2013 both Alabama and LSU swung for the fences with Louisiana linebacker Dylan Moses. Moses, now at IMG Academy in Florida, has not disappointed earning a 5-star ranking and by some services is considered the No. 1 recruit in the 2017 class. Over the years the list includes Florida State offering Class of 2019 South Daytona wide receiver Blake Hinson in 2015. Detroit area Class of 2019 quarterback Samuel Johnson III was offered by Akron and Ohio University in 2015 as well.

The early offers that may have made the biggest noise was when Lane Kiffin, then head coach at USC, offered Ontario (CA) Class of 2017 ATH Nathan Tilford in 2009. The next step maybe when Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops offered Class of 2018 cornerback Jarius Brents when he was a seventh grader; Brents also has an offer from Louisville and Western Kentucky.

The next early “can’t miss” recruit making noise is Woodward Academy running back/cornerback Dawson Ellington. The 5’10”, 175 pound, athlete gave college recruiters another reason to head to College Park (GA) in 2015, if they were not already there to see running back Elijah Holyfield.

Ellington got a lot of well-deserved attention being named an Eastbay All-American after rushing for over 1,300 yards with 16 touchdowns. Along with the explosive season came interest and offers. Louisville has offered and schools like Auburn, Georgia Southern, Georgia Tech, and Kentucky are showing interest.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with Ellington to find out how his eighth grade season on the gridiron turned out, what his offseason schedule includes from workouts and camps, and how his offer from Louisville went down.

Interview

Dawson, you had a great eighth grade year rushing for over 1,300 yards. When you were selected as an Eastbay All-American, did you get to play in the All-American Game in San Antonio?

“Yes. I played for the East squad.”

Which position did they have you play in the game?

“I played cornerback.”

Did you have a good game?

“I did well.”

What type of offense does Woodward run?

“A pro-style offense.”

You played both ways last year. Where all did you line up on the field in 2015?

“I played wide receiver, running back, safety, and some linebacker.”

Which position do you like best?

“It does not matter to me. I will play wherever coach puts me at.”

After a big eighth grade year, will you be on the freshman team or will you make that jump to varsity as a ninth grader?

“I’ll be with the varsity team. I’ve been training hard getting ready.”

What type of workouts have you been doing in the offseason?

“Mainly strength workouts. I’ve been working out with the varsity.”

What are your offseason workout goals?

“To get bigger, stronger, and faster.”

What is the fastest 40-yard dash time you have posted?

“I have not run the 40 since my sixth grade year. I ran a 4.7 then. Last year I was the fastest seventh grader in Georgia, I ran the 100 meters in 11.4 in the spring.”

That’s impressive. Have you started looking at going to offseason camps yet?

“I have been accepted to the Rivals camp, but other than that I don’t know right now.”

How did the offer from Louisville come to you?

“I went to their Junior Day with some friends. They liked my film and offered me.”

Who offered you?

“Coach (Garrick) McGee, their offensive coordinator.”

How did he offer you?

“He asked me if I wanted to go to Louisville. I said yes. He extended the offer. After that they called my coach to confirm the offer.”

You didn’t commit to Louisville did you?

“No, I’m not committed.”

Which position are they recruiting you to play?

“They are recruiting me as an athlete.”

Does the offer serve as extra motivation for you to work harder?

“Yes sir.”

Are you taking any unofficial visits coming up?

“Yes, I’m going to Auburn on Feb. 20 and to Georgia Tech on Monday.”

Have you been in contact with both Auburn and Georgia Tech?

“Yes, on Twitter.”

What other schools are showing interest in you right now?

“Miami and TCU are the main schools.”

Dawson, congratulations on the offer from Louisville and good luck with your upcoming visits to Auburn and Georgia Tech.

“Thank you.”

Photo credit: theplaybook.com; No. 6 Dawson Ellington

Photo credit: Ellington family; Dawson with Bobby Petrino and Garrick McGee.