Dawson, a history and Spanish double-major at Wabash, played in all 10 games for Wabash this season, starting in nine contests. He finished the year with 24 receptions for 285 yards and four TDs, helping Wabash to an 8-2 record and a tie for second place in the North Coast Athletic Conference. He also blocked a field goal attempt on special teams for the Little Giants.
Dawson is a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and works as a basketball statistician in the Wabash sports information office.
Dawson is the son of Brian and Rebecca Dawson.
Matt Mercer (Carmel, IN/Carmel), a junior defensive tackle, was selected to the Verizon Academic All-America All-District V Third Team. Mercer had 20 solo tackles and 21 assisted tackles as a 10-game starter for the Little Giants this season. He recorded 9-1/2 tackles for losses totaling 32 yards, three sacks for 19 yards, and had the only safety recorded by Wabash this year. He also recovered two fumbles, forced two fumbles, and had three pass deflections.
Mercer is a speech major and is a member of Sigma Chi fraternity. He is the son of Harold and Dorell Mercer.
The College Sports Information Directors of America selects Verizon Academic All-America teams in 10 program; football, women’s volleyball, men’s basketball, women’s basketball, baseball, softball, fall/winter men’s at-large, fall/winter women’s at-large, spring men’s at-large, and spring women’s at-large. A first team, second team and third team are selected in both the University (Division I and I-AA) and College (Division II, III and NAIA) Divisions. To be nominated, a student-athlete must be a starter or important reserve with at least a 3.2 cumulatie grade point average (on a 4.0 scale) for his/her career and have reached sophomore athletic and academic standing at his/her current institution.