A terror on the field, Dawson was the emotional leader of the Red Raiders defense from his rush end position. Compared to Denver's Elvis Dumervil for not only his compact frame, but also for his ability to literally penetrate the opposing backfield and wreak havoc.

At Evangel Christian Academy, Dawson earned Louisiana All-State honors from Blue Chip Recruiting and was rated the 31st-best prospect in Louisiana by Rivals100.com. He helped the team to a 14-1 record and a second-consecutive state championship in 2002. Evangel finished the 2002 season ranked 19th in USA Today, eighth in the South. He logged 78 tackles, 11 for loss, a sack and two forced fumbles that season.

Dawson enrolled art Texas Tech in 2003, turning down scholarship offers from Louisiana State and Colorado. Despite playing as a reserve, he ranked second on the team with 4½ sacks, adding 5½ stops for losses, a fumble recovery and 16 tackles (11 solos).

When Adell Duckett was injured in 2004, Dawson stepped in at rush end for three contests, leading the team with 6½ sacks and nine stops behind the line of scrimmage. He caused a fumble that he recovered for a touchdown and made 26 tackles (16 solos).

As a junior, Dawson started 10 games in 2005. He earned second-team All-Big 12 Conference honors, as he totaled 62 tackles (40 solos), 2½ sacks and 3½ stops for losses. He also caused two fumbles.

Dawson received first-team All-Big 12 honors as he started 10 games at right end and three more on the left side in 2006. He registered 63 tackles (33 solos) with six sacks and 9½ stops behind the line of scrimmage, adding 11 quarterback pressures. He caused two fumbles, recovered three others and ranked fifth on the team with 63 tackles (33 solos).

Dawson started 26 of the 50 games he played in for Texas Tech. He finished his career with 167 tackles (100 solos), 19½ sacks for minus-122 yards, 27½ stops for losses of 147 yards and 17 quarterback pressures. He caused five fumbles and recovered five others, returning two for a total of 43 yards and a touchdown. He also deflected three passes.

Positives: Has a shorter-than ideal frame, but shows excellent upper body thickness, especially in the neck and shoulder region … Has a thick waist and calves and a good motor to find his way to the ball … Has just adequate playing strength, but shows the explosive initial burst to penetrate … Has good change of direction agility, using it well when having to drop back and play linebacker in obvious passing situations … Can locate the ball quickly and has a nice spin move that he utilizes frequently to get off blocks … Has the nimble feet to jump around and avoid blocks coming off the edge … Also shows the sustained speed for long pursuit and is effective chasing down the ball from the back side … Stays low in his pads when moving laterally and does a good job of getting through trash … Smooth open-field runner with good quickness off the snap … Turns the corner with impressive speed and always works hard in pursuit … Takes proper angles and flashes into plays … Very strong at initial contact and keeps his feet active on the move … Shows good open-field balance and bounces up quickly when knocked down … Redirects off blocks with a sharp burst.

Negatives: Sometimes gets upright before taking on blocks … Gets turned around a lot and takes false steps dropping back in pass coverage … Inconsistent taking angles to the ball working in space … His size limitations come into play when he struggles to disengage from blocks (needs to keep his hands inside his frame better) … Also needs to keep his hands active in attempts to stave off low blocks … Sometimes late to close when trying to locate inside plays … Might not be a good fit for linebacker, as his hips appear too stiff to get good depth in his pass drops.

Compares To: Elvis Dumervil, Denver Broncos … Or possibly the 'Lil Train, as Dawson plays with that attitude -- I think I can, I know I can' … He is an emotional character who came into his own as a rush end the last two years … Yes, he has size limitations there … But even though he experimented at linebacker in 2005, he was too stiff in his pass coverage skills to be anything but marginal there … In a sub package and obvious pass rush situations, he'd be one of the hounds you'd unleash on the quarterback.

2007: Suffered a hamstring strain on Pro Day (3/08).

Campus: 4.72 in the 40-yard dash … 335-pound bench press … 600-pound squat … 309-pound power clean … 33½-inch vertical jump … 9-foot-6 broad jump … 32 5/8-inch arm length … 10½-inch hands … Right-handed.

Attended Evangel Christian (Shreveport, La.) Academy, playing football for head coach Dennis Dunn … Earned Louisiana All-State honors from Blue Chip Recruiting and was rated the 31st-best prospect in Louisiana by Rivals100.com … Helped the team to a 14-1 record and a second-consecutive state championship in 2002 … Evangel finished the 2002 season ranked 19th in USA Today, eighth in the South … Logged 78 tackles, 11 for loss, a sack and two forced fumbles that season.

Human Development major … Son of Mattie and Wilbur Dawson … Born Sept. 13, 1985 … Resides in Shreveport, La.