Dotson Is ‘More Dialed’ In 2016
August 30, 2016 | Football, General
By Mason Kelley
GoHuskies.com
For Jomon Dotson, the first two years of his Washington career were all about patience.
After redshirting as a freshman, he played in six games in his second season, finishing with 18 carries for 42 yards. He also had a pair of receptions in the team's 44-31 win over Southern Miss in the Heart of Dallas Bowl.
Looking back on the start to his journey with the Huskies, he takes a positive approach.
"It's about being patient and involved in the process," he said. "I've just taken the time to think about what I can do better, and being willing to go back and see what I've done wrong before to now."
Dotson looks at each season as a step toward finding his way onto the field consistently. And now, as a sophomore, he believes he is primed to become a consistent contributor.
"I have a lot of roles on this team I feel like I can be great at and make this team better," Dotson said.
As he talks about the start of a season just a few days away, a wide smile is fixed on his face.
"I'm enjoying life. I'm enjoying the process," he said. "That's what it's all about."
With the emergence of Myles Gaskin as a freshman last year, it would be easy for Dotson to take a more negative approach. It would be easy for frustration to settle in. It would be easy for him to start questioning when the time would come to step into the spotlight.
But that's not the way he thinks.
He believes there are more than enough ways for him to contribute both on offense and special teams.
"I just try to give it my all with a lot of energy," he said.
His approach is a credit to both his outlook, his teammates and running backs coach Keith Bhonapha.
"The dynamic in the (running backs) room is awesome," Dotson said. "We're all cohesive. We all can do a lot of different things. We all have different traits, but we all complement each other on the field."
That unselfish attitude makes the position group stronger.
As Dotson has navigated the past two seasons, there have been difficult moments. But, thanks to a day-by-day approach, the running back has found his footing heading into his third season.
The biggest key to his improvement so far in 2016 is his ability to be more "dialed" with everything Washington is doing.
"That's when I took the next step," he said.
And now, with the season opener set for 11 a.m. Saturday against Rutgers, Dotson can't wait to take the field.
"I'm ready to get this season started already," he said.
