2023 NFL Draft Diamonds Scouting Report: Elijah Dotson, RB, Northern Colorado

Player Data

Name, Jersey #	Elijah Dotson, # 5
School (Code)	CONO
DOB, Class Yr	1/19/1999, Redshirt Senior
Height, Weight	5090, 189
40 Yd Dash	4.55e
Arms, Hands	3078, 0858
Position/Depth	RB/Starter
Honors/Captainship	2-time All-Big Sky First Team (2018, 2019) 2018 HERO Sports FCS Sophomore All-American
Season Viewed (yr)	2022
Games Watched	IDUN, WYUN
Scout Name / Date	CJ Marable, 10-27-22

Per Year Stats (Most Recent First)

2022	@CONO 8 GP, 142 ATT, 636 YDS, 4 TD, 35 REC, 205 YDS, 2 TD
2021	@CASA4 GP, 28 ATT, 95 YDS, 1 TD, 18 REC, 108 YDS
2020	@CASA COVID Year
2019	@CASA 13 GP, 151 ATT, 742 YDS, 7 TD, 70 REC, 702, 4TD
2018	@CASA 10 GP, 185 ATT, 1145 YDS, 9 TD, 14 REC, 160 YDS

Player Summary: 

Redshirt Senior. Ordinary height and weight with an athletic lean frame. His hand size is surprisingly below-average due to how well he displays catching the ball out the back field. The playmaker shows impactful versatility while playing running back and slot receiver. He has good vision and feet which allows him to set up his blocks to gain positive yards. He absorbs contact very well. He is a powerful runner for his size, showing toughness in his runs by not shying away from contact. He has great balance and lateral movement which makes him hard to tackle. He shows grit and wants to, by refusing to go down after 1st contact and more than often makes the first defender miss. He has that IT factor that you can’t coach but often his playmaking ability sometimes bites him in the butt. Instead of getting what he can on certain runs, he puts himself in a position of losing or gaining no yards due to wanting to make a play. He also has some experience as a return specialist. He had a long punt return for a touchdown against Idaho State to spark Northern Colorado towards a victory this year; the playmaking ability is there. He is a willing and physical pass blocker. He shows an impressive blocking technique, sinking his butt with hands ready to violently strike. As a blocker, he shows football IQ and knowledge of his assignment in pass protection. He consistently shows that he is a great pass catcher out the backfield as well as in the slot. As a receiver, he shows average route running ability. He has the ability and tools to be a great playmaker on Sundays. He also has what every coach would die for and that’s the refusal of being stopped.

Scheme Fit:

Kyle Shanahan West Coast Offense

Power Statement: 

A difference maker who displays toughness, vision, contact balance, versatility and phenomenal hands out the backfield. He has everything that you would want in your offense as an Offensive Coordinator and Special Teams Coordinator. His size can be a concern although I think he makes up for it by showing his willingness and physicality. His overall versatility and ability make him very desirable as a prospect at the next level.