Ohio 4-Star TE Matt Dotson Talks Unofficial Visits to Michigan State and Michigan

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

The heat on the recruiting trail has been picking up lately with teams across the country holding what seems to be a countless number of Junior Day events while hosting Class of 2017 and 2018 players for unofficial visits during spring practices. One the Class of 2017 recruits taking the recruiting process very serious is Archbishop Moeller (Cincinnati) tight end Matt Dotson.

Every high school student and student-athlete heading to college should take the selection process very serious. A player like Dotson has a lot of options after working his way into 4-star status during the 2015 season with a lot of schools making a lot of pitches about the future. After missing a few games to open the season with a now completely healed wrist injury, Dotson turned it on showing his skill set in the passing game and with a hand down in the run game. Colleges have come calling seeking his ability on their roster for years to come. Among the group numbering around 20 includes Wisconsin, Kentucky, Cincinnati, Arkansas, Illinois, Oregon, Auburn, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Syracuse, Louisville, Purdue, and Boston College.

The massive list for the 6’5”, 235 pound, talent was narrowed down recently to a Top 5 that included, in no order, Michigan, Ohio State, Michigan State, Tennessee, and Penn State. Dotson has taken pervious unofficial visits to Ohio State, a couple of times, Michigan State, and Tennessee. Over the weekend Dotson visited two more schools in his Top 5, Michigan State and Michigan.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I caught up with Dotson after his visits to the two Big Ten rivals to see how the trips went and received a recruiting news update.

Interview

Matt, let’s get right to it. How did your visit to Michigan State go on Friday?

“It went great. They were having a Junior Day with a bunch of stuff going on. I got to meet everybody and I got to see all the facilities. It was a great trip.”

What did you get to see during the Michigan State practice?

“We run the same system at Moeller. We do a lot of the stuff they do, so I saw a lot of the same stuff. I felt like the coaches are very vocal instructing the players as needed.”

How did your trip to Michigan go?

“Michigan is another great school. I thought their facilities were amazing. One of the best. It really is so hard to judge everyone’s facilities at this point. Everyone has great facilities.”

What did you look at from the coaches during your time with Michigan?

“I was looking more at coaches and how they treat their players. Stuff like that.”

What did you think of Michigan’s offense and how they run their practices?

“We watched a lot of film for at least a 30 minutes. I saw a lot of the run game stuff and then they worked into the passing game. I really like that. That was great. They incorporated my game film into that film. They showed me what I would do and what they do. That was kind of cool.”

I bet. What other unofficial visits are you going on coming up?

“I’m going to Penn State but do not have that planned yet. I think I am going back up to Michigan State next week for their spring game.”

Nice. When you go visit Penn State, what will you be looking for on that trip?

“I want to meet all the coaches in person and see how they work. I’m looking forward to seeing all the other 2017 guys. I want to see all the possible teammates – stuff like that.”

Are you planning to make any visits into SEC Country?

“Yeah, I think I will take a visit to Tennessee later on – maybe this month or next month.”

Have you received any other new offers?

“I’ve been so busy, sometimes it is hard to keep track. My last offers, I got Oregon in February, Syracuse in February, and Auburn and Missouri.”

Are any schools outside your Top 5 still showing interest?

“Notre Dame, Indiana, and Pitt.”

Have you set a commitment date or started thinking about when you might commitment to a school?

“No, not really. I’m thinking June. I’m trying to go back to each school twice and then narrow down my decision.”

How are your offseason workouts going?

“We start running on Tuesday – you gotta do it. I’m looking forward to that.”

Is there any other football related news to share?

“I was named team co-captain for the upcoming season. That is cool.”

It is. Congratulations.

“Thank you.”

When are you taking your ACT or SAT?

“I’m taking the ACT on June 11.”

Matt, as always, thanks for your time today. Good luck with your upcoming trips to Michigan State and Penn State.

“Thank you.”

Photo credit: Dotson family; Matt Dotson at Michigan with head coach Jim Harbaugh.

Photo credit: Dotson family; Matt Dotson at Michigan State with head coach Mark Dantonio.