Louisville assured of official from GA DE

While many of his classmates were out earning offers and impressing coaches during the summer camp circuit, Class of 2015 three-star McDonough (Ga.) Eagles Landing Christian defensive end Nick Dawson was stuck at home waiting for his opportunity. That's because Dawson, who picked up several offers during the spring, was battling a case of mononucleosis.

"It was frustrating," said Dawson, who is now healthy and recently toured schools in the Midwest. "Coaches from Georgia and Auburn wanted me to come work out but I couldn't, it was just tough for me."

Dawson said several schools stayed in regular contact during his down time, including Virginia, Indiana, Tennessee, California and Illinois. But two programs in particular continue to stand out for Dawson.

"I know I'll be taking my first official to Louisville and that should be in December," he said. "I don't have the date set but we have it planned out and that's what we talked about. Coach Grantham is my main recruiter. Georgia was on me hard when he was there and once he got to Louisville they offered me."

Louisville has done a nice job of recruiting Georgia in recent years and Dawson said he's also familiar with some of the players from the Peach State who have transferred to Louisville.

"I like that they have guys I already know," Dawson said. "Plus I loved it when I was up there. I would like to play for Coach Grantham, he's a cool coach."

The other school pushing hard for Dawson is Cincinnati. The Bearcats were the first program to offer Dawson, and he said that he hasn't forgotten.

"They were the first ones to really step up and offer," he said. "They still recruit me hard and I still like them, too."

While the Cardinals are assured an official, Dawson said nothing else is set in stone as of yet.

"I'm really trying to narrow it down soon," he said. "I'm going to take all five, it's going to be four other schools I just don't know who they are yet."