Countdown to Kickoff: 29 Days (Dawson Fletcher)

Dawson Fletcher is one of the many senior members on the Hoosiers defense this fall. AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar

Written By: Nick Holmes (@HoosierHolmes)

Happy Friday Hoosier Nation, the weekend is here and fall camp is underway. Not much more a person could ask for. Today we continue our countdown by taking a look at a senior member of the defense who dons the number 29, Dawson Fletcher.

The Ohio native  played his prep ball at Lakota West High School, where as a senior he posted 66 tackles, one sack, 6.5 tackles for loss, one interception, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery and added first team all-conference and third team Tri-State honors. Prior to his senior campaign he pledged on June 21, 2011 to become a member of the Hoosiers 2012 class. 

He made his way to Bloomington the following summer (2012) and saw action early on, playing in two games as a true freshman. In the team's final game of the season against the Boilermakers he recorded one tackle. He was also named scout team player of the week once during the team's preparation for non conference opponent, Ball State.

As a sophomore he saw action in nine game, mostly on special teams, recording one tackle during the team's victory overIndiana State.  Fletcher had some injury issues during his junior season that limited his playing time, only seeing the field once in the team's loss to Maryland.  Fletcher was also moved from safety to field outside linebacker during the season.

Future Outlook

What looks to be his final season in the Cream and Crimson, the 6'0", 215 pound Fletcher will provide experienced depth to a talented and deep group of linebackers. The Hoosiers are optimistic about what they have along all three linebacker spots, so playing time could be difficult to come by. Nonetheless, Fletcher will likely contribute greatly on special teams and could be a mentor for some of the younger athletes on defense.