Interview: 2018 California SS Dawson Barrett Brings Big Plays to OLB Spot for Quartz Hill

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

Every high school football team has different needs, but every team needs a Dawson Barrett. Every team may have an all-around athlete like Dawson Barrett on the roster, but few are really like him. The only team that can lay claim to the Dawson Barrett is Quartz Hill, and he is tearing it up for the California squad.

After earning his way to the varsity level during his freshman and sophomore seasons at Jonesville High School in Michigan playing quarterback, receiver, running back, cornerback, linebacker, and safety, the die was cast for Barrett to be that guy capable of playing any skill position on the field plugging holes as needed while making an impact on both sides of the ball. After his family moved to California ahead of his junior season, he once again had to prove himself to a different set of coaches, but Barrett, to no surprise, was up for the task.

It took a little longer than maybe most would guess, but Barrett worked his way from an unknown on the Rebels’ roster as a backup safety to a starting outside linebacker. Appearing in all 13 games, while starting the final seven, the 6-2, 190 pound, athlete racked up 58 tackles, 15.5 tackles for a loss, 3.5 sacks, four QB hurries, and broke up two passes cementing himself as a key cog in Quartz Hill’s defense; not bad for about half of a season’s worth of work. After an offseason in the system and time to prepare his body for the rigors of playing safety to outside linebacker, the transition is complete seeing him lead his team with 22 tackles through the first three games of his senior year with three tackles for a loss and eight quarterback hurries.

Beyond his athleticism and can-do attitude for the Rebels, Barrett has shown the dedication to the game on and off the field earning honors as a team captain. His work in the classroom shows with a 3.83 cumulative GPA and a 1090 on the SAT. In the weight room, he jumped from a 205-pound bench press max to 295 over the spring getting a five-rep squat max with 305 on his shoulders and a one-time back squat of 355. The speed is there as well. As evident on his highlight reel, his knack for always being around the ball and big hits helps with his 4.5 speed in the 40-yard dash.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with one of California’s unsung heroes on the recruiting trail but irreplaceable piece to Quartz Hill’s 3-0 start to the 2017 season getting the inside scoop on his play so far.

Interview

Dawson, the Rebels have started out the season in impressive fashion topping Sultana, Oxnard, and Carson, what are some of the strengths of the team allowing for a 3-0 beginning?

“I feel like we work together as a team very well. On defense, we are always rallying to the ball. Most teams do not play like our defense. Our linebackers and safeties are always coming down hill – we are a hard-hitting team.”

What did you work on in the offseason in preparation for your senior year?

“I worked on getting stronger making the move from strong safety to outside linebacker. During 7v7 I was playing some middle linebacker as well. During the offseason, I went from 205 bench press max to 295. I focused on gaining weight so I would be able to hit harder from the linebacker position.”

How are you seeing all that hard work pay off?

“I feel like I am able to redirect better with receivers and I am able to take on big backs better this year. Against Valley View last year, they had a big back, Rudy Lovato (5-10, 242). I had trouble with him last year because of my size. Against Oxnard, they have a Boise State running back recruit (Danny Smith), that is a big, strong, and powerful runner. It was easier taking him down. I think I had 11 or 12 tackles in that game. Now I can handle the bigger backs better.”

How are the coaches using you on defense this season?

“The coaches like to blitz me off the edge at outside linebacker or up the middle at middle linebacker. I am in coverage a lot against passing teams. Against Carson, they had me coming off the edge most of the game. They wanted me on the outside to get in his face to disrupt their passing attack. I would fake press coverage and blitz.”

What do you consider the strengths of your game?

“The strength of my game is my speed. At Fullerton College, I ran a 4.53. That helps at linebacker having speed and strength. I am able to stick with faster receivers.”

Which schools are showing interest but have not offered?

“UC-Davis and Northern Arizona. I have offers from Lyon, Knox, Whittier, Mount Union, Wooster, and Willamette.”

Have you taken any unofficial or official visits yet?

“I took an official over the summer to Lyon College. I don’t have any other visits planned for now.”

When your time comes to commit to a school, what are you looking for with that ideal fit?

“I’m looking for an academic school with a good football program with the mindset to win.”

Are interested in playing safety at next level if asked?

“Yes, sir. All the colleges that I talk to, I let them know I am willing to play anywhere on defense – linebacker, safety, or wherever. At my old school, I played receiver, running back, strong safety, corner, and linebacker. The transition was not as hard for me going from safety to linebacker, or going back. I’m willing to play wherever a defense needs me.”

What goals have you set for your senior year?

“I want to lead the Golden League in tackles and be in another CIF championship but come out with a win this time.”

How do you prepare for a given game each week?

“I make sure my mindset is right in practice. I make sure all my plays are being ran crisp and I am communicating with my D-line to make sure we are running our plays correctly. We switch things up with different teams, communication is important.”

What are you doing during your bye week to prepare for the final seven games on the schedule?

“I am hitting the weights hard, working on getting everything down, and making sure I am mentally crisp in practice. This is not a week off for me. Everything that I need to fix, I’m fixing it during the bye week.”

How will the Rebels defense attack the Knight’s offense on Sept. 22?

“We are making sure every time they run the ball we pound them. On passing downs, we have to stay on their receivers and stay on them the entire game. We play downhill and aggressive. There are not many defenses that play like us.”

Which games left on the schedule are you excited to play above the rest?

“Antelope Valley, that is our homecoming and biggest game of the season. They have Devon Williams, the No. 1 athlete in the nation on their team. I’m looking forward to playing Carson. They are a higher division team. I can’t wait to show my game off against them. That will be a great game.”

What is your motivation out on the field?

“My motivation with football is doing what I love and making sure the team plays to our potential. I’m going 100 percent all the time. People look to me to make plays and do certain things so I go 100 percent on every play.”

Dawson, thanks for your time today and good luck with the rest of your season.

“Thank you.”

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Photo credit: Quartz Hill HS; No. 28 Dawson Barrett in action.