Dotson is aptly nicknamed "L-Train," by his teammates for his non-stop motor. He is an intriguing prospect who played his collegiate career as a 4-3 defensive tackle, but proved in postseason competition that he could also develop into an efficient "five-technique" defensive end in a 3-4 alignment.

Injuries limited Dotson during his first three seasons at Arizona. He battled through neck, ankle, shoulder and hamstring issues. Fully recovered as a senior, he produced 6 ½ of his 10 ½ career sacks and nine of the 14 ½ stops he recorded behind the line of scrimmage as a Wildcat.

Dotson has athletics in his family. His grandfather, Leon Bedford, played football at Southern University. His father, Lionel, was a basketball player at the University of Houston. His uncle, Vance Bedford, played football at Texas and a year for the St. Louis Cardinals and is an assistant coach at Florida.

At Dobie High School, Dotson was a Texas Top 100 pick by all three major metropolitan dailies, the Dallas Morning News, Houston Chronicle and Fort Worth Star-Telegram. He added Super Prep All-Southwest, Rivals100 Top 25, Prep Star All-Midlands and Texas Nifty 150 (Max Emfinger) honors. He was a member of Dave Campbell's Texas High School Football Top 300, rated the 24th-best defensive end in the country by Prep Football Report and selected for the Texas-Oklahoma Oil Bowl .

As a senior, Dotson recorded 50 tackles and 13 sacks, adding first-team All-District honors in 2002. He also lettered in basketball, garnering first-team All-District accolades as a junior center. He was chosen for the Texas High School Coaches All-Star basketball game as a senior, lettering twice for the hoops team. He also received the U.S. Marine Corps Award for distinguished athletes.

Dotson arrived at the University of Arizona in 2003, but was granted a medical hardship after he suffered a neck injury in fall camp. He started six of the seven games he played in during 2004, lining up at right defensive tackle. He produced 19 tackles (seven solo) with three sacks and 3 ½ stops behind the line of scrimmage.

As a sophomore, Dotson missed the Stanford contest due to an ankle sprain, starting four of 10 games he appeared in at right tackle. He managed 21 tackles (10 solo), but did not record any stops for losses. He broke up three passes, recovered a fumble and caused another.

A left shoulder injury and hamstring tear sidelined Dotson for the final two games of 2006 vs. Oregon and Arizona State. He started the first 10 games at right tackle, posting 31 tackles (15 solo), a sack and two stops for losses. He also caused a fumble.

Dotson's shoulder issues continued through fall camp, but he went on to start every game in 2007, earning second-team All-Pac-10 honors. The right tackle delivered 50 tackles (36 solo), as he led the team with 6 ½ sacks and ranked second on the squad with nine stops behind the line of scrimmage. He also caused a fumble and broke up a pass.

Positives: Has a frame that can carry at least another 20 pounds of bulk with no loss in quickness … Has long arms and good timing to deflect low-trajectory passes at the line of scrimmage … When he keeps his hands active, he has the wingspan to defeat blockers trying to get into his chest … Not really a playmaker, but can occupy multiple blockers and stack and control double-teams, when he stays low in his pads … Runs with a normal stride and shows steady acceleration to close on running plays … Team player who will do everything that is asked of him and takes well to hard coaching … In space, he shows acceleration, effort and desire to get to the ball … Better making plays vs. the run than the pass, as he is effective at sifting through traffic to recognize and shut down traps and pulls … Has the initial burst off the snap to gain advantage … Takes strong arm swipes to get an edge on the blocker's outside shoulder, but needs to do this with better consistency … Has a good feel for taking angles when in pursuit and has the lateral agility to make plays moving down the line … Uses a strong rip move to generate inside penetration … When he stays low in his pads, he is capable of stopping a lead blocker and clogging the inside rush lanes … Consistent wrap-up tackler who can quickly gain position to make plays in space … Has the upper-body strength to shed and reroute tight ends in the short area … Might be a better fit as a "five-technique" in a 3-4 alignment, as he is good at stringing out running plays and working toward cutback lanes … Doesn't use it regularly, but he has an explosive burst off the snap … Anchors firmly vs. multiple blockers and when he keeps his hands active, he fights hard and refuses to yield ground at contact … Effective moving laterally but needs to be more consistent using his forceful hand punch that gets him past blockers … Has a good feel and sense for the holes at the line and has a knack for finding the ball.

Negatives: Has adequate muscle tone and will need to add more bulk if he is to remain at defensive tackle at the next level … Until 2007, injuries and inconsistency prevented him from becoming a playmaker … Has decent initial quickness to gain the advantage, but shows inconsistent body control and strength on contact, as blockers can get into his body when he fails to use his hands … Has good instincts and a feel for the game, but has struggled academically and might need more than several reps to retain plays … Displays good toughness, but seems to go through the motions at times, needing to develop better aggressiveness and a fiery nature, as he does not always battle on every snap … Doesn't fight pressure well and will occasionally get turned and driven back, especially when he fails to use his hands to fight off blocks … Has decent passion for the game, but lacks a good work ethic … Flashes lateral quickness and the ability to accelerate in space, but is inconsistent using his hands and struggles when trying to shed blockers … Flashes the ability to recognize trap blocks and double teams, but is slow to locate the ball and doesn't adjust on the move quickly … Shows strength at the point and the ability to disengage with lateral quickness, but is inconsistent in this area … Has the ability to split the double-team and to stack and control his opponent, but too often stays engaged and will get turned and walled off … Shows effort and desire in pursuit, but is slow to redirect on the move and struggles to fight pressure and quickly disengage … Will hit, wrap and drag down the ballcarrier, but is unable to quickly adjust to cutbacks … Lacks good pass-rushing technique and too often stays tied up at the line … Flashes the strength to control blockers, but his hands are not active when attempting to defeat or avert blockers while rushing the passer … Has good knee bend, but tends to stand up at the snap, leaving his body exposed to double-team activity … Needs a clear lane to get to the quarterback, as he does not have the leg drive to bull rush … Shows better awareness vs. running plays, as he gets lost in trash when trying to close on the pocket … Has had several injuries that bring up durability concerns … Lacks the frame needed to combat multiple blockers playing inside, but does not have the timed speed or explosion to be an impact pass rusher coming off the edge as a defensive end.

Compares To: DARNELL DOCKETT-Arizona … Like Dockett and North Carolina State's DeMario Pressley, Dotson might be a better fit as a "five-technique" in a 3-4 alignment due to his initial burst off the snap. He made steady strides in all areas of his game as a senior, the first time he played injury-free. He will have to bulk up more to play the classic 4-3 defensive tackle spot, but he hasn't proven to be a consistent one-gap type.

2003: Granted a medical hardship due to a neck injury (nerve) in fall camp.

2005: Sat out the Stanford game (10/15) with a high ankle sprain.

2006: Missed most of the Oregon (11/18) game and did not play vs. Arizona State (11/25) due to a shoulder dislocation that required surgery to repair, as he also suffered a hamstring tear.

Campus: 5.1 in the 40-yard dash … 340-pound bench press … 34-inch arm length … 9 ¼-inch hands … Right-handed … 21/49 Wonderlic score.

Agility Tests

Combine: 5.39 in the 40-yard dash … 1.8 10-yard dash … 3.04 20-yard dash … 4.75 20-yard shuttle … 7.62 three-cone drill … 25-inch vertical jump … 8'3" broad jump.

Attended Dobie (Pasadena, Tex.) High School … Texas Top 100 pick by all three major metropolitan dailies, the Dallas Morning News, Houston Chronicle and Fort Worth Star-Telegram … Added Super Prep All-Southwest, Rivals100 Top 25, Prep Star All-Midlands and Texas Nifty 150 (Max Emfinger) honors … Member of Dave Campbell's Texas High School Football Top 300, rated the 24th-best defensive end in the country by Prep Football Report and selected for the Texas-Oklahoma Oil Bowl … As a senior, Dotson recorded 50 tackles and 13 sacks, adding first-team All-District honors in 2002 … Also lettered in basketball, garnering first-team All-District accolades as a junior center … Chosen for the Texas High School Coaches All-Star basketball game as a senior, lettering twice for the hoops team … Received the U.S. Marine Corps Award for distinguished athletes.

Sociology major … Son of Sheryl and Lionel Dotson … Comes from a sports oriented family, as his grandfather, Leon Bedford, played football at Southern University … Father, Lionel, was a basketball player at the University of Houston … Uncle, Vance Bedford, played foot-ball at Texas and a year for the St. Louis Cardinals … Is an Eagle Scout … Member of Jack & Jill of America, a community service group for young people aiding the elderly … Volunteer worker for the Salvation Army and at a local hospital and nursing home … Born 2/11/85 … Resides in Houston, Texas.