Pittsburgh lands a commitment from ATH Elijah Dotson

Detroit Belleville athlete Elijah Dotson had Michigan and Michigan State high on his list. Penn State was another school he liked a lot. But Pittsburgh was first to offer, he built a different type of relationship with that staff and their consistency paid off in the end.

“Pittsburgh just made that push,” Dotson told On3. “I have been recruited by them longer than anyone else, so I have that connection with them, but about a month and a half or so ago, I didn’t know where I wanted to go. Pittsburgh made that push and showed me what I meant to them.

“They recruited me hard from the beginning, they never let up and they made me feel like a priority. That is what it came down to. I felt wanted by them and at home there.”

Archie Collins is the lead recruiter for Dotson. The two connect on another level.

“Coach Collins and I have that bond. He is from the city of Detroit, like me, so he knows me and the environment I am from. Our connection was easy. He is easy to talk to and I have that foundation with him.

“Coach Collins can connect with me, other players and he just adjusts to the different types of players. Then he is a great coach that develops players, puts guys into the league almost every year and we just hit it off in a different want.”

Collins works for Pat Narduzzi. He has been the head coach since 2015 and the new commit sees a lot of similarities.

“I like Coach Narduzzi a lot,” Dotson said. “He is an old school guy and my pops says I have an old soul. I like Coach Narduzzi’s style. He wants to be nasty on the field and when I play, there are no friends on the field. I am aggressive and old-school like him. Playing for him, I want to leave it all on the field.”