83 Days Until Purdue Football: Malcolm Dotson

We have a unique player today. Someone who is on a partial scholarship with the track team, but is also a walk-on on the Purdue Football team.

Malcolm Dotson - Junior

Cathedral High School - Indianapolis, IN

6’2”, 200 Pounds

Wide Receiver

2018 Projection: Deep Reserve at Wide Receiver - Special Teams Contributor

Dotson has had the chance to participate in two sports in his time at Purdue. He is also on the track team, where he is pretty darn good. Here are his track accomplishments according to the Purdue Sports website:

2017 (SOPHOMORE)

• Placed sixth at the Big Ten Indoor Championships in the 60m dash with a time of 6.75 seconds
• Placed fifth at the Big Ten Indoor Championships in the 200m dash recording the sixth fastest time in school history of 21.31 seconds
• Placed first at the Meyo Invitational in the 200m with a time of 21.45 seconds recording the ninth fastest time in school history
• Honorable mention as member of the indoor 4x400m relay team that finished 17th with a time of 40.04 seconds

2016 (FRESHMAN)

• Honorable Mention for All-America in the 4x100m relay after helping the team finish 17th in the country at the NCAA Outdoor Championships with a time of 40.04 seconds
• Finished fourth at the Big Ten Outdoor Championships in the 200m dash with a time of 21.34 seconds
• Finished fifth at the Big Ten Outdoor Championships in the 100m dash with a time of 10.75 seconds
• Helped the men’s 4x100m relay team earn the bronze medal at the Big Ten Championships with a time of 40.03 seconds
• Had a 60m PR of 6.78 seconds, which is tied for sixth in school history
• Had an indoor 200m PR of 21.31 seconds at the Big Ten Championships to finish ninth. His time ranks sixth in school history
• Finished 12th in the 60m dash at the Big Ten Championships with a time of 6.83 seconds
• Won the 60m dash at the Gene Edmonds Invite and Fred Wilt Invite
• Won the 100m dash at the Louisville Invite and Rankin/Poehlein Invite
• NCAA East Preliminary Round qualifier in the 200m dash, where he finished 26th
• Member of the 4x200m that finished runner-up at Drake Relays

So he has been pretty good there. As for football, his main role is on special teams. This past season, he appeared in 9 games on special teams and even recovered a fumble against Missouri. In 2016, he appeared in all 12 games as a reserve and on special teams.

As for this year, expect him to be on the field, but he will be more of a specialist again. There is no shame in that, our special teams was one of the best of nation last year and it is due to key contributors like Malcolm.