Elijah Dotson

Running Back / Sacramento State

Alex Khvatov:  What are your measurements (height, weight and forty time)?

Elijah Dotson:  I am 5’10, 192 pounds.   

Alex Khvatov:  How did you prepare for the 2020 season with no offseason training?

Elijah Dotson:  I was doing my own track workouts.  I was training at different high school fields.  I was emphasizing speed and endurance.  I worked on stretching and bought a bench press.   

Alex Khvatov:  Besides football, what other sports did you play in high school?

Elijah Dotson:  I ran track.  I was a sprinter and jumper.  I ran 100m, 200m, 4x100m relay, did long jump and high jump.  I went to state for 100m, long jump and 4x100m relay.  I also played a little bit of basketball my freshman year.      

Alex Khvatov:  What positions did you play in high school? 

Elijah Dotson:  I have always been a RB.  I played a little bit of defense.  I was a safety my junior year and played nickel.   

Alex Khvatov:  Coming out of high school, what programs showed interest in you?

Elijah Dotson:  Coming out of high school, I had grade issues.  I had interest, but no big schools pulled the trigger.  My high school coach told me that I could have been at some MWC school if it wasn’t for grades.   

Alex Khvatov:  Why did you choose Sacramento State? 

Elijah Dotson:  Senior year around December, I had offers from Weber State and Sacramento State.  I was born and raised in Sacramento.  I am proud of where I come from.  I felt at home.  I didn’t want to start new somewhere else.  I aimed and came to terms that I can play CFB in my own backyard.   

Alex Khvatov:  Tell us about your overall career.            

Elijah Dotson:  Freshman season, we had a 7-4 record.  It was the best season in our history at that time.  We had more conference wins than ever before.  I was an all-purpose player.  I was a receiver, kick returner and running back.  I gained around 1,000 all-purpose yards.  Sophomore season was my All-American year.  I earned first team all-Big Sky.  I had over 1,100 rushing yards with nine TD’s.  We struggled that year.  We had a lot of injuries.  We went 2-8.  We got a new coaching staff the following year.  We took a full 180 degree turn my junior year.  I had over 700 rushing yards and over 700 receiving yards.  They lined me up in the slot and I caught a lot of passes out of the backfield.     

Alex Khvatov:  What was it like to win a share of the Big Sky title last season?

Elijah Dotson:  We won nine games.  It was amazing.  We made history at Sac State.  We always had potential, but the coaches knew what they were doing. 

Alex Khvatov:  How did the new coaching staff turn the program around?

Elijah Dotson:  They demanded an effort out of us.  We built great team chemistry.  We had love for each other.  We had a common goal.  We wanted to pursue a national championship.  We got to the second round of the playoffs.  We achieved our goals. 

Alex Khvatov:  Big Sky has canceled its fall football season.  What is your reaction to this news?      

Elijah Dotson:  Honestly, I wasn’t surprised.  I understood that we won’t have a full season because of everything going on in the world.  Football is a small part of the real world.  We have to prevail as a nation, so we can all be safe and get back to normal stuff.       

Alex Khvatov:  What are your strengths?

Elijah Dotson:  My main strength is my versatility.  I am very flexible in any offense.  I can adapt and understand the concepts of plays.  I can play slot, RB and pick up things in pass protections.   

Alex Khvatov:  What areas of your game are you trying to improve upon?

Elijah Dotson:  I need to be get bigger, stronger, faster, work on my route running, and blocking.  Ball security is the biggest emphasis for a RB.  I need to improve in pass protection and picking up blitz assignments.  As you get older, everybody can run and catch the ball.  Blocking can set you apart. 

Alex Khvatov:  What is the highlight of your career up to this point?

Elijah Dotson:  The Montana game in 2018.  It was one of those atmospheres.  The emotions were high.  We have never beaten them on the road.  We fell short.  We lost 41-34.  I had 30 carries for 234 yards and three TDs.  Another highlight is when we played against Portland State in 2018.  I had 20 carries for 160 yards.  It was my fifth game where I rushed for over 100 yards.  It might be a record at Sacramento State.   

Alex Khvatov:  What is the biggest lesson that you have taken away from your coaching staff? 

Elijah Dotson:  Being consistent.  It is something that a lot of people lose sight of.  Don’t lose sight of what you are pursuing.   

Alex Khvatov:  Who is your favorite NFL player?

Elijah Dotson:  I like to watch Alvin Kamara and Christian McCaffrey.   

Alex Khvatov:  What players on your team should we keep an eye on for this upcoming season?

Elijah Dotson:  CB DaRon Bland, CB Prince Washington, DE Josiah Erickson, and WR Pierre Williams.   

Alex Khvatov:  Who is the best player that you have faced on an opposing team?

Elijah Dotson:  #10 LB from Austin Peay (Pat Walker).  He was pretty good last year.   

Alex Khvatov:  What is the most important trait for a RB?

Elijah Dotson:  As a RB, you can’t be complacent.  You have to be a hard worker.  Complacency will put you in a dumpster.  You have to make it happen on every rep.  You have to make it happen if someone misses a block in front of you.   

Alex Khvatov:  What do you enjoy most about football?

Elijah Dotson:  I enjoy the grind.  It determines your character.

Alex Khvatov:  What do you love the most about being a RB? 

Elijah Dotson:  I have been playing it all of my life.  I love working on my craft.  You can’t take a break.  I am consistently working on it.    

Alex Khvatov:  What makes you unique?

Elijah Dotson:  My work ethic is unmatched.  You have to have a chip on your shoulder as a football player.  My work ethic is what makes me unique. 

Alex Khvatov:  What is your definition of a leader?

Elijah Dotson:  I was a captain last year.  For me, I lead by example.  Being a leader is making everyone else do better.  If teammates see you do good, they want to do good as well.  It brings the team up.   

Alex Khvatov:  What are your hobbies?

Elijah Dotson:  If I am not working out, I am playing Call of Duty.   

Alex Khvatov:  What do you want to do with your life after your football career is over?

Elijah Dotson:  I am majoring in ethnic studies.  After football is over, I want to help people in a lot of ways.  I want to help the homeless, people who need food and teenagers who grow up in dysfunctional homes that need guidance.

Alex Khvatov:  What five words best describe you?

Elijah Dotson:  Disciplined, dedicated, passionate, unique, and funny.