5 Minutes With Graham-Kapowsin WR/DB, Kahlil Dawson

     Having never seen Kahlil Dawson live, I was very excited when I noticed he was in attendance during the WR/DB session at the Northwest Stars Camp. You can watch all the highlight videos available, but getting to see that player live is what really counts. After watching Dawson dominate the 1-on-1 portion of the session, I knew I needed to speak with him. When the session was over he had 3-4 other guys around him so I decided to contact him via twitter to see if he wanted to do a quick interview. He was more than happy to talk and this is what he had to say.


HSFootballWA: You had a very nice day yesterday. What did the coaches have to say to you afterwards?

Kahlil Dawson: All the coaches said I had a pretty good day. They told me the things I needed to work and improve on and the things that I am pretty good at already. A lot of the coaches said they are interested in me and hopefully I will get more offers based on my performance yesterday.

HSFootballWA: I would assume those coaches are looking at you as a DB more than a WR?

Kahlil Dawson: It is a mixture. Most of the coaches, since my size, they are looking at me as a DB. A lot of people see me as a versatile athlete so they could use me in the slot or the return game. Most are as a DB.

HSFootballWA: In January, you were invited to the U.S. Army All-American Combine in San Antonio, Texas. What was that experience like?

Kahlil Dawson: That was a great experience because I got to compare myself to the talent across the whole country. I got to see what people are like from the east coast and got to see more of the talent from the west coast. The whole setup was great with the hotels we were staying in and we got to talk to the all-american football players that were participating in the game. As far as the drills, I got a lot of learning in and then of course the 1-on-1 was great because I got to go against the best competition around. It was a great experience and not a lot of people can say they got to do that. I am one of the lucky few.

HSFootballWA: A couple weeks later you picked up your first offer from Wyoming, have you had a chance to speak with coach Dave Christensen?

Kahlil Dawson: Yeah, I have talked to him a lot. I am supposed to be setting up a visit or a time that I can drive up there to check out the place for myself. I have heard a lot of things about how it is a very nice area so my family and I are probably gonna take a trip there next week, unofficial to see it for ourselves.

HSFootballWA: Wyoming has been offering a lot of kids from our area recently, have you had a chance to talk with maybe D.J. May or Trent Sewell?

Kahlil Dawson: Yeah, that was something I was going to mention. They are supposed to come back in a week or two. If I go up there and see them, I will definitely talk to them. If they come back here, I will definitely discuss with them how they feel about the place and get their views on Wyoming and stuff do. So that is what I plan on doing, talking to them to see how they like the place.

HSFootballWA: So I will admit that in doing a little research on you, I jumped onto Rivals.com and one of the first things I see is a Nebraska logo. That instantly got me excited because I love my Cornhuskers. Is their interest from them?

Kahlil Dawson: They sent me one or two things in the mail. The person (from Rivals) wanted to know who I got mail from lately. At that time that was a school that I had heard from lately, but I don't think I have a chance to get an offer from there. It is a great program, but at the time I think I got one or two things in the mail so I put it out there because they had asked me a question about it.

HSFootballWA: Last season you guys started out 0-3 before getting a 10-7 win over Curtis. This season you start with a 6 hour drive to Post Falls, Idaho. What do you know about Post Falls and what do you look to accomplish?

Kahlil Dawson: From what I have heard, Post Falls has a very good program. They they have a very good, physical team, but we are very physical as well. I think we are going to surprise a lot of teams this year. We are very excited to get the opportunity to go there. We are the first class at GK (Graham-Kapowsin) to travel out of state to play.

HSFootballWA: Speaking of being the first class at GK, when I say October 5th, do you know what that means?

Kahlil Dawson: I am guessing the day we play Bethel?

HSFootballWA: That is correct. What do you think about possibly being the first class to get a victory over the Braves?


Kahlil Dawson: If that happens it would be great. It would be great for our community and our program. We don't want to be known as a class that couldn't get it done either. If we could get that done it would be great, but that is just another game for us. We are gonna go one game at a time and our focus is on Post Falls first. When the time comes to play Bethel, it will be a game you will want to watch. We are gonna be ready to go, but so will they. They've got a good team.

HSFootballWA: Last year you guys lost in the play-in round vs Bellarmine, the year before you got into state but lost to Arlington in the first round. What do those experiences do for you in terms on potentially getting to the Tacoma Dome this season?

Kahlil Dawson: Those were both learning experiences. My teammates and I have have watched the film from both of those games many times to see what we could've done better, what we did good and where we can get better so we can learn from our mistakes for the future. It is motivation because we've had teams in the past that we feel like could've gone to the dome, but we came up short.

HSFootballWA: I think you guys got a good shot this season. The SPSL is always tough and especially with Federal Way being very good again this season. Did you know you guys play four of your first five games on Thursday a night?

Kahlil Dawson: Yeah, we just got our schedule and its just something you gotta deal with.

HSFootballWA: Kahlil, it was great talking to you and we will keep in tough this season. Thank you for your time.

Kahlil Dawson: Thank you, I appreciate it.

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My Thoughts:

     This is a kid that gets it. From his game on the field to the way he speaks during an interview, he has it all. With good speed, good hands and great natural instincts, he has the ability to shutdown his side of the field. His return skills are some of the best, if not the best, in the state and cannot be ignored. His ability to read and setup his block is as good as anyone in the state. That being said, I view him as a DB. His game continues to grow and I have no doubt that he will eventually be a great college football player. Below I have posted links to highlight videos and even a video from the All-American Combine which is a must see. He really does play very well against some of the best WR's in the country.

     I will admit that my love for the Nebraska Cornhuskers may have got the best of me with one question. If you have read my blog in the past, you know it does that from time to time, but I had to ask. I know any of you would've done the same if your team had been on his list.

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Links:

Click Here For Highlights From His 2011, Junior Season

Click Here For Highlights From Part 1 Of His 2010, Sophomore Season

Click Here For Highlights From Part 2 Of His 2010, Sophomore Season

Click Here For His Army All-American Video

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     In closing, I would like to thank you for reading my blog. Check back soon for more content. You can also follow me on Twitter @HSFootballWA. You can also Click Here for my Facebook page featuring links and photo albums from stadiums I have visited around our beautiful state.

     Questions and comments are always welcomed. If you wish to keep it private between you and I, feel free to drop me a line by emailing Ringerland@gmail.com.

     I am always looking to help get your sons name out to the general public. If you feel he is being over looked, let me know. Send me an email with any available information you can give me, the more the better. Also be sure to send me a link to any videos where I can see his play. I will take care of the rest.

Northwest Stars Camp at UW

     I would like to start by thanking Taylor Barton and his crew for inviting me to this event. I am really a nobody that is trying to make it big in the world of athletics. To have someone say such great things about the work I have done is truly amazing. This camp was split into three categories RB/TE/LB, OL/DL, WE/DB. I will do a small piece about each category and will highlight players that really stood out. 

     If I do not mention you or your son, it may mean one of two things. 1) I did not notice him: This isn't exactly a bad thing. I am one man, with a list of 50+ names and it can be VERY hard to see everyone and have an opinion. 2) I have bigger plans for your son and don't want to use my thoughts here. I might be attempting to get in contact with your sons coach looking for a way to contact you.

     That being said, here are a few thoughts from the day.

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     RB/TE/LB:

     So much to talk about here. Before I got my list I had picked out three numbers that impressed me above all others #211, #214 and #265. When I finally got a hold of a list of names I was surprised to see that I knew all three names.

     #211 would turn out to be RB, Ari Morales from Bellevue High School. No surprise here. Ari is rightfully gaining interest on a daily basis. He has unbelievable speed which makes him very easy to stand out. The thing that surprised me today with Ari was his all around ability to catch the ball. Not just his hands. His route running is crisp and his footwork is so good it allows him to create space to make the reception easier.

     #214 was RB, Ralph Kinne from Shelton High School. I was very happy to see him there as I had just placed him on my "Unknown Offense" a week earlier. I even mentioned it to him and he looked at me like I was stupid. Ralph is very underrated because he doesn't play for a big name team. The kid can play. The thing I love about Ralph is he hits the hole at full speed. There isn't a lot of dancing in his game. He sees the hole and he hits it. My kind of running back!

     #265 is TE, Matt Malcuit from Rogers High School in Puyallup. Matt is an interesting prospect. He is converting from QB and I must say, it is the right move. Click Here for a video from an NEI/BFA combine earlier the year at Peninsula High School. Matt has great hands and does a very good job at getting off the line and creating separation from the defender. No reason he shouldn't rise as the year goes and start getting offers from all over.

Other Thoughts:

     A few linebackers that really stood out, Micah Breland from Foster in Tukwila, Mikey Tupou from Inglemoor in Kenmore and Trayon McNairy from Juanita in Kirkland. All three players showed good ability to change direction and get back to speed quickly. Breland especially was very good in pass defense. That kid just continues to get better.

     The catch of the session has got to go to Chico McClatcher from from Federal Way. With a defender hanging all over him, McClatched throws one hand up aboce his head and snags an absolute rocket from his QB. Chico is going to be a sophomore this coming season for the Eagles and is already turning a lot of heads.

     I got to speak with Danny Wilson from Bothell for a few minutes and came away very impressed. Wilson is ready for a breakout year. Between Wilson, Darrin Laufasa and Kizhan Proctor, the Cougars have a three headed monster to run behind one of the best offensive lines in the state.

     I like just about everything about Skyline TE, Isaiah Richmond. At 6'6" he is a HUGE target. He doesn't have great acceleration or top end speed, but uses his hands very well to get rid of the defender. He is a kid that will get a more and more looks as the season goes by.

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OL/DL:

     This was the smallest session of the three with about 50 kids, most of them being from Oregon. The three numbers that stood out to me were #409, #412 and #433. If I had to venture a guess, I would say the defense got the best of the offense during the day in the individual competition.

     #409 was worn by Bothell DE, Jeremy Ruef. He is a high motor guy that has a great initial burst off the line that challenges his opponent to get deep into his drop in a very short amount of time. He uses his hands to shed his blocker as well as any lineman I have seen so far. Jeremy is a kid I will be keeping an eye on this season. Could double digit sacks be in his future?

     #412 was Mariner (Everett) OL, Hector Ruiz. Listed at 6'4" and 270 lbs, Ruiz very much looks the part. He is still very raw, but shows a ton of potential. He moves his feet very well and keeps good balance. The sky is the limit for this kid.

     #433 is Wenatchee DL, Jakob Stoll. No offense at all in my next comment, but Jakob is the exact definition when someone calls a lineman a "big ugly". The kid has a head full of blonde hair, don't think it is his real color, that really flops around as he moves. He never stops working and was always the first guy to jump in when a spot opened up. He clearly plays with a chip on his shoulder.

Other Thoughts:

     A kid that very easily could've been one top three is Oak Harbor OL, Dayne Herron. While Stoll was the first on defense, Herron was the first on the offensive side to step in when a spot opened up. He got most of his work done at the LT position. One thing I love about Dayne is he is very aware of what he needs to do better. I spoke with him briefly and he was almost finishing my sentences for me when I was giving him advice. At the rate he is imrpoving, it is only a matter of time.

     I don't know who the coach of Aloha High School in Oregon is, but he might have the most talent in the trenches in the northwest. Five Aloha kids were on my list and all five were top level players.

     I spoke with McCartney McQuery from Bellarmine Prep for a few minutes and was very surprised at how soft spoken he is. When you watch McCartney play he is usually throwing a defender to the ground or flat out running him over. I approached him prior to the lineman taking the field and told him we would catch up later. I was pleasantly surprised when he sought me out after the lineman were done roughing each other up. He is a road grader with a ton of talent, good work ethic and no offers. I have no explanation for the no offers part. They will come eventually, but I am surprised someone hasn't jumped on his bandwagon yet.

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QB/WR/DB:

     This was the largest group of the day and probably the most impressive. Footballs were flying all over the field with one great throw, catch or pass defended after another for over an hour. The three numbers that caught my eye the most were #12, #40 and #450.

     #6 on the day was Interlake (Bellevue) WE, Kamana Adriano. Nobody runs a better route than Kamana. His acceleration creates the space needed to make the catch. Struggled just a little with press coverage, but once got loose he was unstoppable. Made 2-3 highlight reel type catches along the sideline while managing to keep both feet in bounds on the play. He is the perfect slot receiver.

     #40 was Graham-Kapowsin DB, Kahlil Dawson and he was absolutely amazing! Rarely did a WR catch a ball on Dawson and when they did, they worked for it. Kahlil was all over the field making play after play. He is also a very accomplished WR, but I see his future on the defensive side of the ball. The kid is a playmaker that could become one of those guys that makes a QB completely forget about his side of the field. 

     #450 is Kennedy Catholic (Burien) QB, Conner Richardson. I will admit, I am always drawn to left-handed QB's. Conner is making the switch to QB after spending last season at WR. He has great feet, an even better arm and just that little bit of swagger needed to play the position. He has great arm strength while still being able to put great touch on the ball. Conner is rising quickly and rightfully so.

Other Thoughts:

     2015 could be a great year for QB's in the state of Washington. Ross Bowers from Bothell, Casey Brink from Bainbridge and Nolan Henry from Union (Camas) are all three very capable of being in the top 10 nationally. 

     DB, D'Londo Tucker from Federal Way High School had himself a very nice day. Tucker can run with anyone and has good great natural instincts to close on the ball and make plays.

     Mount Si (Snoqualmie) had a pretty nice showing today. QB Nick Mitchell, WR Tyler Button and DB Hunter Malbert were all impressive. The Wildcats were ranked #5 by Doug Pacey a few weeks ago and have a very underrated coach in Charlie Kinnune. This could be a very big year at one of the most scenic stadiums in the state.

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     That is all from the Northwest Stars Camp at UW. I hope you enjoyed my recap. Look for a few players interviews in the coming weeks. I want to put out 2-3 per week. Hopefully I will have to time to get them done.