Beau Dawson, son of former NFL kicker Phil Dawson, looks to land late offers

For 21 seasons in the NFL, Phil Dawson was known for being patient on the field. That was the nature of being a kicker, after all.

He is handing down that same wisdom to his son, Beau Dawson, as the senior wades through the last two months of the recruiting process.

Beau Dawson is a Class of 2022 prospect from Nashville’s Lipscomb Academy, where his dad is the associate head coach to former NFL quarterback Trent Dilfer. 

Dawson’s recruitment has been quiet despite a lifelong knowledge of football because of his dad’s experience in the game and a high school program that has a college-like infrastructure.

“Coming in here, I was like ‘I don’t know what to expect,’ but every aspect is like a college program,” Dawson told On3 after transferring to Lipscomb for his junior and senior seasons. “There’s college and NFL experience and some Army guys [who run the program]. It’s a little bit of everything. There’s intensity, and their language with football — it’s not always high school level but it’s good for all of us.”

Getting sound advice from dad

Dawson has had success at Lipscomb, doing a bit of everything as one of the most versatile players for the Mustangs and a team leader who helped them capture a state championship last week. But Dawson holds only two scholarship offers thus far – from FCS schools Valparaiso and Presbyterian.

That is where the advice from a guy Dilfer once told On3 was a “sage” because of his in-depth knowledge on the field and off it comes in handy.

“My dad has shared patience is key, especially right now with the transfer portal [and things like that],” Dawson said. “He also says to give it your all and leave no doubt, so that in the end you can rest knowing you did everything you could to better my chances. He’s taught me everything I know about the game, and I’ll forever be grateful for him.”

Beau Dawson still looking to land offers

The implementation of the early signing period in 2017 has paved the way for an insane dash to the finish line in mid-December. That has led to late commitments, flips and a general cluster of decisions for recruits as the coaching carousel during this time of year moves at warp speed – more like ludicrous speed this year.

The regular signing period in February really feels as if it can have the regular qualifier removed. There’s not much “regular” about that period anymore since the vast majority of high school players sign during the early period.

But situations such as Dawson’s should not be overlooked. He is an example of a player who still has some opportunities in front of him over the next eight weeks even though he has no more football games to play.

As colleges look to add players late in the cycle, Dawson could have more options arise as a result of his senior film.

Dawson, a 6-foot, 210-pounder, was known as being a tough-as-nails, do-it-all player for the Mustangs, and Lipscomb’s coaching staff heaped praise on him unprompted when On3 visited in August. Their words proved accurate this fall when Dawson helped lead Lipscomb to a state championship as a key part of its offense.

Bringing versatile value to college program

It’s what he did while learning from some of the best high school football coaches in the country that would bring value to a college program – in addition to self-evaluations leading to an improved all-around game.

“I think something that will separate me at the college level, and what a school should take notes on, would be my versatility,” Dawson said. “I can play tight end, slot receiver and fullback – anything they want me to. My hands are great. They are my best attribute.

“The areas in my game I’ve improved the most this season would be my run blocking. I used my feet and hands way better this year and excelled in the run game. A place where I could improve on would be feet drive because you can always get better at it.”

Dawson listed FCS programs Incarnate Word and Sam Houston State as well as Conference USA champ UTSA as schools he is looking for an offer from the most – and his dad’s alma mater, Texas, is what Dawson calls “a dream school,” as it would allow the younger Dawson to return to his hometown of Austin for college ball.

But as his dad alluded to, if Dawson winds up having only the two FCS offers by the time February 2 rolls around, he will look to make the most of it. If he performs well there for a year or two, and shows what he can do, a transfer to a big-time Division I program could be in the cards.

And if that doesn’t happen? Well, Beau Dawson has the right attitude about that as well. 

“I’d love to play anywhere in D-I,” Dawson said. “But, to be honest, FBS or FCS, [it doesn’t matter] as long as school could be paid for.”