Kansas CB Mello Dotson earns All-American 'flowers,' turns attention toward NFL draft

Kansas CB Mello Dotson earns All-American ‘flowers,’ turns attention toward NFL draft

Posted by Admin January 19, 2025 NFL

Mello Dotson joined exclusive Kansas Jayhawks company in his final season of college football.

Dotson, a Mainland grad, became the program’s first All-American selection in six years and only the 25th all-time. The 6-foot-1, 190-pound cornerback was named a Walter Camp second-team All-American, and to The Associated Press’ third team within the space of a week in mid-December.

During the 2024 season, his fifth as a member of the Jayhawks, Dotson led the Big 12 with five interceptions — tied for third-most in the Football Bowl Subdivision — and added 49 tackles and seven pass breakups. According to Pro Football Focus, opposing quarterbacks completed just 56.7% of their throws into Dotson’s coverage for an NFL passer rating of 69.1.

Dotson turns his attention this month toward preparation for the 2025 NFL draft. He is committed to participate in the East-West Shrine Bowl on Jan. 30 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, and he was invited to the NFL scouting combine beginning Feb. 27 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

The News-Journal caught up with Dotson for a phone interview as he trains in Fort Lauderdale for those showcase events.

Mello Dotson earned his flowers as Kansas cornerback

News-Journal: You became the first Kansas cornerback named to the AP All-America teams since Aqib Talib in 2007, and you were selected first-team All-Big 12. What do those accolades mean to you with your final season officially in the books?

Dotson: It meant a lot to me because I felt like I’ve been one of the top corners in the conference for the past year. It felt good finally getting my flowers.

N-J: Over the last five years, as you have become a mainstay in the Kansas secondary, in what areas do you feel like you have most improved?

Dotson: Within those years, I had three different coaches — Chevis Jackson, Jordan Peterson and D.K. McDonald. It’s learning different things from those coaches, focusing on my weaknesses within the game, mainly tackling, wrapping up and being more strong and physical with receivers. Those are things I feel like I fixed and worked on. Coach Jackson got me playing off coverage. I learned a lot from him. Coach Peterson widened my mind with plays and formations. Coach McDonald, he came from the NFL and added (more to my game). I was already in vet mode at that time and was looking out for the younger guys.

N-J: Kansas entered your recruitment late in your senior year and underwent a coaching change after your first season. Yet, you opted against entering the transfer portal at any point and stayed in Lawrence. How did Kansas become home for you and a place you never decided to leave?

Dotson: When I first got there, it wasn’t a football school at all. It was tough at first. But Coach (Scott) Wilson from Mainland told me, “When things get tough, don’t jump ship.” I look at him as a father figure and still talk to him to this day. He actually played a big role in me staying at Kansas, not talking to him physically but remembering what he taught us at Mainland.

N-J: How would you describe Kansas’ credentials as a football school now?

Dotson: The students, the fans, everybody’s involved with the football program now. Of course, you have the diehard fans, but there are some people who are going to join the wave when it gets better. True fans stuck around through all the losing. But after those two winning seasons, all the students, teachers, everybody in the area bought in.

Mello Dotson focused on East-West Shrine Bowl, combine, NFL draft

N-J: What attracted you to playing in the East-West Shrine Bowl?

Dotson: The East-West Shrine Bowl will be cool. I’m really cool with the director of the game. He reached out to me early in the season and told me that he liked my game. He called me. I was in Miami, driving at the time. It was an unexpected call. He said he sent out the first wave of invites and told me he didn’t invite me at the time and explained to me why. At that moment, I gained a lot of respect for him because he didn’t have to do that.

N-J: NFL scouts and front office personnel will get a chance to see you up close and get to know you at the Shrine Bowl. What sorts of questions do you expect to answer, on and off the field?

Dotson: I know a lot of scouts and people are wondering what I’m going to run in the 40(-yard dash). People want to know why I am a chill person. I know I’m going to have to answer those questions.

N-J: Why would you characterize yourself as a ‘chill’ person?

Dotson: Some people like this, but people thrive off their energy. Cobee (Bryant) was our louder corner, and that helped him play good. But I feel like when I’m calm, laid-back and comfortable, that’s when I play good. I never want to get frustrated or too worked up.

N-J: Did you have a favorite NFL team growing up, perhaps one you dreamed about playing for?

Dotson: My favorite team growing up was the Carolina Panthers. At first, I really liked them because of their colors. That was before I started learning about the game. Cam Newton was my favorite player at Auburn, and he got picked by the Panthers, so it all worked out. I would like to play for them, but I would play for any team. It would be a blessing to get a call on draft day.

N-J: What NFL cornerbacks have you tried to model your game after over the years?

Dotson: Marcus Peters. I like his game a lot. I like some younger corners in the league now — Asante Samuel Jr., Jack Jones. Those three. They’re not the biggest defensive backs, but they’ve got an eye for the ball and are always going to be around it. And they don’t have a fake persona around the media. They’re always going to be themselves.

Mello Dotson stays connected to Daytona Beach roots

N-J: While you were away, Mainland captured its second state football championship in school history. What were your emotions seeing your alma mater finally get over the hump in 2023?

Dotson: Watching it from afar, you had a lot of doubters within that program and the alumni. I’m a diehard Buc. When I had seen that, it made me mad. When they pulled it off, it was a thrill and a sigh of relief. They did it, y’all was hating. I’m proud of my city and going to continue giving back. Those players were way bigger than what we are. The coaches there are doing a wonderful job with those players.

N-J: Speaking of which, before Christmas, your foundation recently helped Daytona Beach-area families in need with a $500 holiday shopping spree. And you posted onto X that you intended to auction off your game-used jersey from the 2023 Guaranteed Rate Bowl. How did you start getting involved in off-field charitable causes?

Dotson: One of the benefits with NIL is that I got out into the Lawrence community and put smiles on kids’ faces that didn’t know me as a person. In Daytona, they know me personally, so I would like to do that and see those smiles.