Dawson grew up playing sports in Cobb County, Georgia, one of the most competitive counties for sports in the country. While playing youth sports he participated in baseball, football and lacrosse. During high school he played lacrosse and football for the highly competitive Allatoona Buccaneers. As a wide receiver he led his 6A football team in yards and receptions both his junior and senior years. The Bucs also made the state playoffs each of those years. In lacrosse he was a 3-year starter as an offensive and defensive midfielder. He helped lead his lacrosse team to the 6A-7A GA State playoffs all three years, reaching the final four once and the elite eight 3 times, while also winning 2 region championships. Dawson received multiple offers to play either football or lacrosse in college, and he received offers from five different schools to play both sports. He chose to play football and lacrosse at the University of the Cumberlands in Kentucky. After a full season of football and the Covid shortened lacrosse season his freshmen year, he was forced to choose one sport over the other because of overlapping seasons. He chose lacrosse over football. Over the next three years, Dawson set five school records as an offensive midfielder. He finished his career with 118 points and was named to 3 AAC all-conference teams, including 2 firstteam awards. He led the Patriots to 3 conference championship games, he was named to 3 all-conference tournament teams, and led his team to 3 straight final four appearances at the NAIA National Championships. Dawson graduated with a major in Business and a minor in Coaching.
