Get to know Gators DB Duke Dawson Better

Senior defensive back Duke Dawson is a leader in a secondary full of new faces. (Photo: Tim Casey/UAA Communications)

Get to know Gators DB Duke Dawson Better

Monday, August 21, 2017 | Football, Scott Carter

The senior from Cross City has prepared himself to take on a leadership role in his final season.

By: Scott Carter, Senior Writer

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Duke Dawson kept working, sometimes to get out of a hole or to stay up to speed, and made the necessary adjustments to reach where he is now.

He played as a true freshman in 2014 and started one game. He played in all 14 games as a sophomore but in retrospect, Dawson considers it his worst season with only 10 tackles. As a junior, Dawson started seven games and proved he fit in a secondary that included three players selected in the first 50 picks of the 2017 NFL Draft.

With six of his former defensive back teammates over the past two seasons currently in the NFL, Dawson plans to join them next year. First, he must parlay his junior season into something more, climb to a new level the way he did a year ago following his disappointing 2015 season.

In a Florida secondary full of new faces, Dawson offers a familiar one.

"He's done an outstanding job," Gators head coach Jim McElwain said Friday. "He's a guy who's accepted. The thing I like about Duke is he's not one of these rah-rah talker guys. He goes out and does it, through his actions. You can tell even these young guys are saying, 'oh, now I see how I'm supposed to go about it because of Duke.' "

Dawson has been a visible presence during the preseason, joining teammates Martez Ivey and Marcell Harris at last month's SEC Football Media Days. His goal is not to be good as a senior, but to be great.

Dawson knows what that means from watching and studying his teammates at DBU the past three years. We recently caught up with Dawson for a Q&A to get to know Dawson better:

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Q: You have some free time, what are you doing?

A: I'm a pretty laid-back guy. I just like to hang out with my friends, play video games.

Q: You are from Cross City, Fla. What is your hometown like?

A: Small town, middle of nowhere. We don't really get a lot of recognition because of where we're at. Just me being able to come out of a small place like that and put on for my community and my family and this university is great. It took a lot of hard work for me to get here. Nothing was given to me. I took it day by day and just prayed and God answered my prayers.

Q: Do you know former Packers All-Pro defensive back Nick Collins, who also hails from Cross City?

A: Actually he's my godbrother, so we've got a really, really good relationship. When I'm off – he lives in Orlando right now – I go and spend time with him. He trains me and teaches me a lot. We watch film when I go down there and I show him film of some of the things I messed up on and ask him his advice.

Q: Was he a role model growing up?

A: Yeah man, like since Pampers. He's been with me since I was little, so he's like an actual brother. The love I have for him is unbelievable.

Q: You can't be laid-back when on the field so what turns the juice on?

A: Oh yeah. When it comes to putting the helmet and shoulder pads on my whole demeanor changes. I love the game of football. I'm passionate about it. I'm a competitor. When I'm on the field, I just love to play.

Q: What does it mean for you to have played with six defensive backs currently in NFL?

A: We have an unbelievable bond. It's nice. I'm trying to keep the tradition going.

Q: Who is biggest influence on your life?

A: My grandmother, Elizabeth Dawson. She passed away two years ago. She had me since I was little. My mom and dad as well. There's a lot of people in my life that influenced me, but one lady I can point out is her.

Q: Why did you say her?

A: She was like my mom as well. When my mom wasn't there, she was always there no matter what it was. If I had to travel out of town, she would always come. She was always there. Just the love I have for her.

Q: Best movie you've ever seen?

A: I'm not really a big movie guy. But if I do pick one, it's going to be something with Kevin Hart.

Q: Most difficult class at UF?

A: I'd say statistics. Even though I'm a math guy, that class was pretty tough for me.

Q: What is your favorite meal?

A: That's easy. Anything involving breakfast -- pancakes, eggs, bacon -- I'm good with.

Q: Are you a good cook?

A: Whew, not really. I try.

Q: Best day on a football field?

A: I have to go back to my Pop Warner days. I used to be up under center back in the day. I played quarterback all the way up until my 11th-grade year. I can't remember exactly what it was, but playing quarterback, those were the days man.