Dawkins to Play at Northwest

(ST. JOSEPH, Mo.) Northwest Missouri State football is bringing on another recruit nearly a month after national signing day.

LeBlond running back Austin Dawkins made his decision to become a Bearcat official Tuesday.

As a senior on the Eagles football team, Dawkins was an all-state performer that rushed for 1,596 yards and 26 touchdowns.

After back-to-back 1-9 seasons at LeBlond during his sophomore and junior year, Dawkins led the Eagles to a 7-5 record and the district championship in 2012.

"I always wanted to play college football, and I knew we were going to get better, especially with Coach Dudik," Dawkins said. "I knew it was just going to take a little bit of time and a lot of hard work and effort."

"He's a great athlete with tremendous work ethic with a very positive attitude," Dudik said of his star running back. "He is the ultimate team player."

According to Dudik, Dawkins had opportunities at Kansas State, Wyoming, Missouri Western and Benedictine, but decided to head to Maryville as a preferred walk-on.

"I love their field and their stadium, that was one thing that I really liked, and there weight room was another thing," Dawkins said. "The big thing was their coaches. They're young, they're energetic, and they're very fun."

Right now he is listed as an athlete, but Dawkins hopes to take the majority of his snaps in the backfield as a Bearcat running back.