"I decided to ride up there with (preferred walk-on) Bryson Durden and my head coach came up with us and I know they all had been talking to coach (Tommy) Thigpen about me," Dawson said.
"That was my first time up to Tennessee," Dawson said. "It was great. They really showed me around. The way they treated me was one of the best visits I've been on compared to anyone else. I got there and coach Thigpen spotted me and came and got me and my coach and he just started taking me around and started touring and everything and we just went back and ate a little bit then we went down to the field and then coach Jones and coach Thigpen got me and I went and talked to them for 15 or 20 minutes.
"It was great. I definitely liked what I heard from them. I liked coach Jones' plans for the University of Tennessee and his team and his plans for me and they said they needed me there. It made me feel wanted.
"I play defensive end and outside linebacker and they see me as a versatile guy because I can do a lot," Dawson said. "Throughout all the camps I've done really well on pass rushing and that's a key part of my game."
