[su_spacer size=”20″] I had the opportunity to speak with class of 2020 athlete Dawson Ellington the other day. Some of you may ask why interview a class of 2020 recruiting prospect? I thought it would be interesting to hear from some of the up-and-coming middle school players who will be transitioning to playing varsity ball soon, especially with collegiate programs offering scholarships earlier than they ever have in the past.
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[su_spacer size=”40″] BI:I am speaking with Dawson Ellington, a 5 foot 9, 163 lbs, class of 2020 athlete out of Woodward Academy in College Park, Georgia, and an Eastbay Youth All-American.
[su_spacer size=”20″] Dawson:

Hello and thank you again.

[su_spacer size=”20″] BI: You’re welcome Dawson. I’ve had the opportunity to watch some of your highlights and game tapes, and I see that the coaches have you line up on both offense and defense at several different positions. I’ve seen you at wide receiver on the outside and from the slot as well as the running back spot on offense, and I’ve seen you return punts on special teams as well as line up safety on defense. Are there any other positions your coaches have had you play or line up at and do you have a favorite position you like to play?
[su_spacer size=”20″] Dawson:

Yes sir. That is pretty much where I have played so far. I just play where the coaches need me to play and do my best to what they ask of me to help the team.

[su_spacer size=”20″] BI: Who are your coaches at Woodward Academy?
[su_spacer size=”20″] Dawson:

Coach Turnipseed is my head coach, and my other coaches are Coach Lee and Coach Ryan.

[su_spacer size=”20″] BI: In your highlights at Hudl.com, at around the 1minute 55 second mark or so, I see you run down a player in red wearing number 5 from about 10 to 15 yards back, but it didn’t show the whole play. I like your hustle on that play. Could you tell us a little more about it?
[su_spacer size=”20″] Dawson:

It was a game versus GAC, and it was a toss sweep to number 5. I didn’t want to give up on the play and felt I could catch him and prevent him from scoring.

[su_spacer size=”20″] BI: And speaking of specific plays and games are there any particular games or plays that are most memorable to you, which stick out more than the others?
[su_spacer size=”20″] Dawson:

Yes sir. In the Eastbay All-American Bowl, I returned a punt 50 yards.

[su_spacer size=”20″] BI: What was it about that particular play that stuck out to you?
[su_spacer size=”20″] Dawson:

Right before the other team punted, I just knew I had to score or get a big gain. I got the ball, saw the lane, got some great blocks, and I was able to get a big return. I wasn’t able to score, but I put our team good field position.

[su_spacer size=”20″] BI: What was that experience like, being selected as an Eastbay Youth All-American?
[su_spacer size=”20″] Dawson:

It is one of the most memorable experiences I have had so far. Coach Erik Richards, the National Recruiting Director of the Army All-American Bowl, came to Woodward Academy to present me with my Eastbay All-American jersey last year.

[su_spacer size=”40″] TwinSportsTV: Dawson Ellington Player Spotlight Eastbay All American Team
[su_spacer size=”40″] BI: Are there any coaches or mentors that have inspired you or shaped who you are? [su_spacer size=”20″] Dawson:

Yes sir. There are two coaches that have really inspired me to push myself to the limit: Coach Tim Wynn of the Atlanta Vikings and Coach Derrick Tatum of Elite Talent Football Academy.

[su_spacer size=”20″] BI: Are there any players or teammates who have really helped you out or that you hang out with? [su_spacer size=”20″] Dawson:

Yes sir. K.J. Phillips, who started at linebacker as a 9th grader for Woodward Academy’s varsity high school football team. He is a mentor. My workout buddy is Rashad Torrence. We really push each other to be better.

[su_spacer size=”20″] BI: Are there any players that stick out to you that you have played against so far? [su_spacer size=”20″] Dawson:

Yes sir. I had the opportunity to play and compete with Michael Robertson in the Eastbay Youth All-American Bowl. We were on the same team. The competition was fun and a great experience. I hope to be able to play and compete with him again in the future.

[su_spacer size=”20″] BI: Isn’t he related to Savannah Christian’s Demetris Robertson?” [su_spacer size=”20″] Dawson:

Yes sir. He is Demetris’ nephew.

[su_spacer size=”20″] BI: Do you play any other sports in addition to football? [su_spacer size=”20″] Dawson:

Yes sir. I run track for Woodward Academy. My track coach is Coach Notestine.

[su_spacer size=”20″] BI: What events to you participate and train in, in track? [su_spacer size=”20″] Dawson:

The 100 meter, 200 meter, 4 x 100 and 4 x 400.

[su_spacer size=”20″] BI: Recently you had the opportunity to attend UGA’s 2015 Dawg Night camp in Athens, GA this past Saturday. What was that experience like for you? [su_spacer size=”20″] Dawson:

It was great. I really enjoyed the whole experience. It was very competitive and impressive. I got to compete with and against players I haven’t had the opportunity to play with before.

[su_spacer size=”20″] BI: Which coach or coaches did you get to work with at Dawg Night? [su_spacer size=”20″] Dawson:

Coach Pruitt. It was great to work with him. He taught me some things I didn’t know or had not done before.

[su_spacer size=”20″] BI: Was Coach Pruitt the only coach you got to meet or work with? [su_spacer size=”20″] Dawson:

No sir. I also got to meet Coach Richt.

[su_spacer size=”20″] BI: Was this your first time in Athens? [su_spacer size=”20″] Dawson:

No sir. It was my third time.

[su_spacer size=”20″] BI: Are you a Georgia Bulldawg fan? [su_spacer size=”20″] Dawson:

Yes sir. I’m all about the “G”

[su_spacer size=”20″] BI: That’s great! Are there any former or current Georgia Bulldawg’ players that you are a fan of or follow? [su_spacer size=”20″] Dawson:

Yes sir. Todd Gurley, A.J. Green, and Nick Chubb.

[su_spacer size=”20″] BI: What are your plans for the near future? [su_spacer size=”20″] Dawson:

I will be playing on the 8th grade team at Woodard this up-and-coming season, and next year, my goal is to play on the varsity team; to keep working and training hard, pushing myself to the limit on the field and off the field in the class room. I also have a goal to be selected to the Eastbay All-American Bowl again this year.

[su_spacer size=”20″] BI: You seem to be very focused? [su_spacer size=”20″] Dawson:

Yes sir.

[su_spacer size=”20″] BI: Do you do any off season or additional training? [su_spacer size=”20″] Dawson:

Yes sir. I train with Elite Talent Football.

[su_spacer size=”20″] BI: If readers and Georgia high school football fans want to try to come out and see you play, to cheer on and support Woodward Academy, when can they catch your games? [su_spacer size=”20″] Dawson:

Our games are on Wednesday afternoons and on Saturday mornings. They can go to Woodward Academy’s site and the date and times should be posted on there.

[su_spacer size=”20″] BI: What about the Eastbay Youth All-American Bowl? [su_spacer size=”20″] Dawson:

I think it is on ESPN 3 … online. Football University has a website that should have the information on the Eastbay Youth All-American.

[su_spacer size=”20″] BI: Dawson, I would like to thank you again for taking the time to speak with Bulldawg Illustrated. I wish you much success and look forward to watching you develop as a young man and football player. [su_spacer size=”20″] Dawson:

Yes sir. Thank you for the opportunity.

[su_spacer size=”40″] Dawson Ellington’s Higlights: [su_spacer size=”20″] EASTBAY All American (Athlete)