After verbally committing in June, Lakota West safety Dawson Fletcher made it official when his signed national letter of intent was faxed to Indiana University on Signing Day Wednesday morning.
“I never thought I would be going to Indiana, but I was just in the right place at the right time,” Fletcher said.
The right time and place was an IU summer camp where Fletcher impressed head coach Kevin Wilson.
“Dawson’s was as impressive or the most impressive kid we had in camp last year – running, jumping, change of direction,” Wilson said.
“We’ve got him as maybe a safety-type, but you watch him run and he might be a corner when he gets here because he’s not so big that he can’t run, but you can see physically he will come up and tackle very well.”
- Video highlights of Lakota West S Dawson Fletcher
- Photos: Lakota West football Signing Day
- Photos: Lakota East Signing Day
It was Fletcher’s versatility that also impressed IU defensive coordinator Doug Mallory.
“To be able to recruit a defensive back that has that versatility just makes him more marketable,” Mallory said. “To be physical enough to play safety, but athletic enough to play corner, I like that combination. Those kids are hard to find.”
It didn’t take long for Wilson and Mallory to decide to offer a scholarship to Fletcher, who at the time didn’t have one.
However, after performing well at earlier summer camps, Fletcher was expecting to receive offers from the University of Toledo and Ohio University. Even though more offers appeared to be on way, Fletcher quickly gave his verbal commitment and became an instant IU fan.
“It was exciting, but surreal the same time because it wasn’t long ago that I was still watching college football and thinking that it is so far away,” Fletcher said. “Then when you are a senior in high school you almost don’t believe it. I am just blessed that I have this opportunity.”
This past fall, Fletcher was second on Lakota West in total tackles with 70. The all-GMC first teamer also had 5.5 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 1 interception that he returned 77 yards, 3 pass breakups and 1 forced fumble.
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