Clint Thompson
THOMASVILLE — Quarterback Eric Dodson is known for his rushing ability while engineering Thomas County Centra’s option attack.
His passing skills are not too shabby, however.
The Yellow Jackets junior signal-caller, who started at the varsity level for the first time last season, has been invited to the ESPN Rise Elite 11 quarterback camp in Orlando, Fla. on Feb. 28. Dodson will compete against the top high school quarterbacks in the Southeast, with a chance to go to national competition in July.
“I’m pretty stoked,” Dodson said. “I’ve got to get back in and working on my throwing. It’ll get me back in my groove a little bit and see how I do against some of the top quarterbacks.
“I just go down to the gym anytime that I have time and get the ball and start throwing with people,” Dodson added. “They like helping me out a little bit, too, just catching for me and stuff like that.”
Out of football since late November, Dodson’s time the last couple of months has been spent on the wrestling mat. Getting back into throwing the pigskin was a rough but necessary transition.
“I’ve gotten a little rusty, keeping that elbow high and stuff like that, being able to get that spiral. I’ve just got to keep working at it,” Dodson added, “It’’ll come back to me.”
In only one year under center, Dodson threw for 1,042 yards and was named by the Times-Enterprise as offensive player of the year. He guided the Yellow Jackets to an 11-2 record. He is excited and humbled by this opportunity.
“These are the type of camps the top quarterbacks go to. If you do well, then you’ll be able to get into the ESPN Rise Top 50,” Dodson said. “It’s great to be mentioned with them and even to be invited to this camp.
“I’m going down there to try to turn some heads. I’m not the biggest thing, but when they see my arm strength, hopefully, that will stoke some people to start recruiting me,” Dodson added. “That’s what I’ve been working on more is my arm strength. I might not be the biggest, but I see the target. I’ve got to be able to get it there before the (defensive backs) break.”
Dodson noted he would like to play football at the next level. He already being looked at by option schools Carson-Newman and Shorter College. Shorter, the school where Dodson’s brother, Nick Dodson, excelled at track, has already offered Eric a scholarship.
“I want to play quarterback. Not many schools are going to give me a chance, but I don’t care. As long as I’m playing football, it’s fine with me. I’ll be a return man or something like that,” Dodson said. “I’ve always wanted to play quarterback. I’ve got a few schools that are going to give me a look and a shot at quarterback. I’ll have to weigh my options out a little bit going into my senior year.”
