Dawson Merritt Breaks Down Schools Involved, Includes Missouri Tigers
Dawson Merritt, a composite 4-star LB from Overland Park, Kan has exploded onto the recruiting scene the last couple months. He's picked up offers from nearly every major recruiting service and is ready to start narrowing things down.
Schools like Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, Alabama and Missouri are starting to zero in on Merritt's talents on the field. He plans on releasing a top-ten in the near future.
Merritt is the No. 128 composite player in the country, as well as the No. 16 linebacker and No. 4 in the state of Kansas. He's seen significant rating boosts recently, moving up to No. 81 in the country in On3's most recent ranking update.
As far his visits to this point, he's been around the country looking at a variety of schools. He attended two Junior Day's recently, making pit stops at Missouri and Kansas.
At Kansas, he had a more personable experience. With less people at the overall visit, he had a chance to make more connections with the players there and coaches.
"It was definitely focused on me. I got to talk to a lot of people and I really liked the players and coaches there. I can tell they really value me as a player," Merritt said.
Missouri's junior day was more loaded with other players, but he still got the opportunity to connect with people. Merritt connected with current members of the team, stepping in on team meetings.
Merritt is in constant communication with a variety of Missouri coaches.
"I talk to them honestly every day. I talk to Coach [D.J.] Smith and coach [Erik] Link frequently," Merritt said.
The Tigers want Merritt for the linebacker position, though he is versatile and can play multiple positions, which he is willing to do.
'Some schools want me as an inside linebacker and some want me outside. A few schools want me to play edge rusher as well," Merritt said.
Merritt picked up a recent offer from Alabama, which excites him. He had been in communication with some of the staff before they moved to Alabama. A recent coaching hire has made Merritt more interested as well, as the Crimson Tide brought in Christian Robinson as their new linebackers coach.
"It's been great. They just hired a new linebackers coach that I feel like i've really hit it off with," Merritt said.
The 4-star LB wants to be committed before his first fall football game next school year. Merritt plans on visiting all of his schools, but things can change.
"I feel like i'll evaluate all my options because I think thats the type of guy I am. But if I get that feeling, i get that feeling," Merritt said.
Merritt's top-ten list could come at any moment, which will shift into gear the back end of his recruitment. He will begin official visits this spring.
