Interview: Top 2017 Ohio 4-Star TE Matt Dotson Ready to Showcase Talents at Exposure Camps

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

One does not have to talk to Matt Dotson about the 2015 high school football season to know that all did not go according to plan on or off the field. Archbishop Moeller followed up a 10-4 season in 2014 with a 5-5 record in 2015 – but not all is as bad as it may seem on paper.

The Fighting Crusaders played as tough as a schedule as anyone else in the nation dropping a two-point 24-22 game to power Wayne High School (Ohio), a 31-14 contest to New Jersey High School state champs Don Bosco, and lost a heartbreaking 13-7 overtime contest to another state champion, Cincinnati’s La Salle.

The 2-3 start to the season also coincided with the first five games of the season missed by Dotson, not that there is a direct link between the two but there is no doubt the 6’5”, 235 pound, talent is a difference maker. When Dotson is on the field, he can line up with a hand on the ground to help block in the running game or release out to find a spot in the zone in the passing attack. Moeller also lines him up as an H-back, in the slot, or on the outside where he again can find holes in the defense to help move the chains or lock onto a defender in the ground game opening up running lanes in the second level.

The five games missed to the start of Dotson’s junior season did not deter college coaches in the slightest way. To date, at least 17 Division-I programs have offered with Auburn, Penn State, Arkansas, Tennessee, Michigan State, Nebraska, Missouri, Maryland, Boston College, Michigan, Wisconsin, and in-state powerhouse Ohio State among the many wanting him on their roster in 2017.

With the 2015 season behind him, Dotson is 100 percent healthy and ready to help the Fighting Crusaders surprise some teams in 2016 making a hopeful impact as an All-American. In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with Dotson to go over the injury that held him out of action early last season, received an update on his offseason plans, and got a recruiting update.

Interview

Matt, let’s get the tough stuff out of the way first. What kept you out of the first five games last season?

“I had surgery on my wrist which kept me out part of the summer and the first five games of the season.”

How did you injure your wrist?

“Playing basketball for my high school team. I went up to block a shot and a player from another team undercut me. When I came down, I came down on my wrist and ripped some tendons. I could not turn my wrist up and down.”

That’s horrible someone did that out on the court, but you’re all good now?

“Yes, I’m all good now.”

In your team’s offense you line up all over the place, at wide receiver, on the line, and as an H-back. Do you have a preference where you like to line up on offense?

“I like everything. I’m versatile out on the field. I like blocking as a tight end and going out on the outside is nice too.”

You seem to have a good knack for settling into holes in the zone in the passing game.

“I’m getting better and better at reading defenses. During my freshman and sophomore years, I did not really understand what I was doing or what the defense was doing out there. Now I understand the game more. If they are playing man, I know how to approach the defense.”

You mentioned getting better at reading defenses, is there anything else you improved upon during your junior year?

“I would say stretching the field and getting open on the outside. A lot of big tight ends cannot get open on the outside, catch the ball, and make moves with it once they have it.”

What are some of the things you are doing with your offseason workouts to improve other areas of your game?

“I’m working on everything. I’m working on my agility and footwork. We have these new things that hook up on the rack for resistance training. The resistance training is helping me fire off the ball heavy. We have two quarterbacks this year, so I am out on the field running routes with them. I’m doing anything I can to get better.”

What are your offseason workout goals?

“I have already gained 10 pounds, but I’m not wanting to gain too much weight and not be able to move. My 40-yard dash time was a 4.79 last year, if I can get it any lower that would be great. Lifting – I don’t know right now where I’m at with my max levels but I’ve been going up 15-20 pounds with my lifts. I’m not sure where I will be 5-6 months from now but I’m going to keep pushing it.”

You’re solid in the blocking game as well. What is your mentality on run plays when locking up with a defender?

“I’m going to push him into the ground every chance I get and on every play. I will make you move where you don’t want to go and I will move you even if you don’t want to move. I make sure my running backs and quarterbacks will be safe running off me.”

You’re lining up all over the field on offense, will we see you on defense at all next year?

“I have talked to my coach about it. I might play some defensive end if they need me to. We are losing a couple of pass rushers off last year’s team. I played defensive end through my freshman year. I know what to do. Also, it is good to add another position to your game for college just in case they decide to switch you later on.”

I know your season was cut short, but did you earn any individual honors at the end of last year?

“No, but I want to be first team All-State and an All-American at the end of this year.”

I counted 17 offers for you. Is that accurate?

“Yes.”

Which schools are recruiting you hard but have not offered you yet?

“Oregon and LSU, those are the two schools really recruiting me hard but have not offered yet.”

Of the schools that have offered, are there any that have stepped up the effort above the rest?

“Really all the schools are showing about the same amount of interest, calling to check up on me every week.”

I have never lived in Ohio so I am not sure what the pressure is like there as a top recruit to stay in-state. I know how it is in other states and for other top recruits. Is there pressure on you to stay in Ohio to play your college ball?

“I wouldn’t say so. I want to stay somewhere close to home so my parents and family can see me play but staying in Ohio does not make a big difference for me.”

I’m guessing with all of your offers that heading to a college camp this year is more than likely off the table?

“No college camps this year. I’m focused on the Rivals and Nike camp. Those are the main two camps I am training for and the two I hope to make their final camps.”

Did you attend any camps last year, even with your wrist banged up?

“I did but I didn’t know how bad the injury was when I went to the camps. I went through some camps with it which probably didn’t help. I went to Rivals and Nike camps, the Irish Invasion, a Tennessee camp, and I went to an Ohio State camp.”

Did you take any unofficial visits during the 2015 season?

“I went to Ohio State a couple of times. I went to Michigan State and Tennessee for a game. During the Tennessee game we broke record for loudest decibel level.”

In an overview of the different visits, was there anything you saw or recognized that changed your idea of college sports or something that made you think differently about everything.

“Yeah, the fans. I did not know just how wild some of the fans are with the different schools. When I went to Ohio State and Tennessee, the fans were walking up to me saying “welcome home” and “we’re happy you are finally here.” That was pretty cool but different that all of these people knew who I was already.”

Have you started mentally trimming down your list of different schools?

“Yeah, I have. I have a couple of schools in mind but I am still open to other schools coming in to talk to me. I’m taking my time. I don’t want to jump to a conclusion and make an announcement before I am ready. I don’t want to make the wrong decision.”

During the recruiting process, while you are breaking down the different schools, what is most important to you?

“How the coaches interact with players, the style of offense the team runs, and what they run and how they use their tight ends. Academics and facilities are important too. Really the campus too. I will be there for three to five years, you have to like the area where you are going to school.”

What is your time frame on making a decision?

“I was thinking before my senior year. I want to play my senior season as a commitment to “blank.” After that, I can focus on my season and the games without distractions. This is my last year of high school football, I want to be there for my team.”

How is everything going in the classroom?

“Everything is going well. I have a 3.3 GPA.”

Have you taken your ACT or SAT yet?

“No. I’m taking my tests this spring.”

What do you want to major in when you go to college?

“I want to be a physical therapist.”

Last question, we’ll get you out of here after this one. What is your favorite part of playing football?

“I love the whole team thing. I love the brotherhood. You really have to depend on everybody in football. If one person does not do their job you can lose the game. All my best friends are football players. I know they will be my best friends for life.”

Matt, thanks for your time today. Good luck with your tests and your offseason workouts.

“Thank you.”

Photo credit: Dotson family; Matt at Ohio State with his mom (Deseree).

Photo credit: Dotson family; Matt at Tennessee.

Photo credit: scoutingohio.com; No. 89 Matt Dotson.