Michigan graduate transfer David Dawson is no longer with Iowa State’s football program and will not suit up for the Cyclones this fall, the Des Moines Register’s Randy Peterson reported on Monday. Dawson’s departure from the program is due to personal reasons, sources have confirmed to Cyclone Fanatic.
Dawson appeared in 12 games in three years for the Wolverines. He started one game and played both ways in a game against Rutgers in 2016.
He was a four-star prospect, the No. 4 offensive guard, and No. 90 recruit in the country in the 2013 class, per 247Composite. Dawson arrived on campus on May 15 and will not be eligible to play for another program in the fall.
“I know he’s a guy that’s big and physical,” Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell said recently on the Cyclone Tailgate Tour. “Fits the interior of our offensive line. I think the sky’s the limit in terms of his ability to come in. I think the thing that’s really exciting for us if you’ve got some guys like Oge (Udeogu), who really came on in the spring, and Robbie Garcia made the move from defense to offense. So there’s some competition for this job and it’s not a given, but I think David’s a young man that’s got as much potential as anyone in that offensive line group.”
USC graduate transfer Khaliel Rodgers also committed to the Cyclones as an immediately eligible offensive lineman in the spring, but then changed his commitment to North Carolina.
Dawson likely would’ve slid into a starting position along Iowa State’s offensive line immediately in 2017. His departure will likely force Garcia or Udeogu into larger roles with the group this fall.
It will also make the addition of Iowa Western offensive lineman Josh Knipfel even more key. The former Hampton-Dumont, who has four years to play three, will likely be asked to play a role for the Cyclones in his first year on campus.
Stay tuned to Cyclone Fanatic for more on this story.
