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Michigan sophomore attracting attention

Detroit Cass Tech sophomore David Dawson has found himself in the perfect recruiting storm.
The 6-5, 305-pound offensive lineman plays for one of the most talent-laden programs in the Great Lakes State, and college coaches have been streaming through the school all spring. But Dawson is attracting college attention early in his high school career because of the talent he displayed during his junior campaign as well as off-season combines and camps.
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"They say I will probably play guard if I don't get to 6-6 or 6-7. I really don't care as long as I get on the field.
"Michigan State, Iowa and Michigan came to the school. At Florida State I had talked to Coach [Mark] Stoops, and he said he would be up to see me. Then, I've talked with LSU and Georgia."
Michigan is the school Dawson said is showing the most interest in him at this time. His teammate, linebacker Royce Jenkins-Stone, recently committed to the Wolverines, but Dawson said he is open to all schools at this stage of the process.
"I don't care who it is, whoever shows interest in me I will just be thankful that they are giving me a chance," Dawson said.
The last high-Division 1 offensive line prospect to come out of Cass Tech was Joe Barksdale, who was taken in the third round of last weekend's NFL Draft. Barksdale played collegiately at LSU, and Dawson also has interest in the Tigers.
"I have some friends of the family down there and they said they like it down there, and that they have nice facilities and a nice atmosphere on campus. I haven't talked with [Barksdale] much. He was just telling me to stay focused and work hard in the weight room and the classroom."
Dawson is considering a trip to Baton Rouge this summer to partake in LSU's summer camp. His teammate, class of 2012 cornerback Terry Richardson, earned a scholarship offer from the Tigers at their summer camp last year. Other summer camps are also being considered.
"I know for sure that I am going down to Michigan for their camp," Dawson said. "I might go down to Ohio State because I talked with Coach [Paul] Haynes and their offensive line coach."
Dawson started at right guard as a sophomore for a Cass Tech team that made it to the Division 1 state semifinals last fall. He is not satisfied with the early praise he has received, though, and is putting in the work this off-season to improve his game.
"Right now, I think I need to work on staying low. I get low sometimes, but I have a tendency to rise up in run-blocking," he said. "I've been working at that with my position coach. I think I am a good pass blocker, but there's always room for improvement."
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