While interested in joining either the Sydney Kings or New Zealand Breakers, Dawkins opted to attend a tryout at the University of Chicago as a means to possibly play college ball in the states. The tryout was more of an avenue to explore opportunities that could have existed in either the states or in Europe. Dawkins wasn't highly touted and was an unknown prospect especially when it came to football as he had very limited experience playing football in Australia. At the time, the focus was on having a career playing basketball professionally, however the tryout at the University of Chicago presented an opportunity to have a crack at both. The University of Chicago was appealing as it was an open tryout so no need for an invite, it's in a city that he'd like to visit and lastly they the school had pretty good economics department.
After the tryout, Dawkins was offered a spot to join the Maroons football program. Having had offers back home playing basketball, Dawkins figured that he may as well give football a go and should it not pan out, he could try returning home to pursue a career in the NBL. Due to his inexperience and to help with the transition to playing defense, Dawkins was only really expected to play a minor role on defense for his first season, with most of his playing time spent on the special teams unit. As the Maroons defensive backs suffered injuries to start the season, Dawkins found himself on the field as a corner, well ahead of the schedule. He would prove to be serviceable but would return to a lesser role once the starters retuned from injury. Further injuries saw Dawkins again seeing playing time, this time at safety where he would look more at home. While still raw and still coming to grips with playing on defense having only really played wide receiver and running back in Australia, Dawkins played well enough to remain as the starter as the team's free safety for the remainder of the season. There were definitely some growing pains, lining up in the wrong formation, missing assignments on defense, but through it all there was signs of development in his first season. His grasp of the game would improve and by the end of the season, it was all but certain that Dawkins would be a starting safety for the his second season with the Maroons.
After the tryout, Dawkins was offered a spot to join the Maroons football program. Having had offers back home playing basketball, Dawkins figured that he may as well give football a go and should it not pan out, he could try returning home to pursue a career in the NBL. Due to his inexperience and to help with the transition to playing defense, Dawkins was only really expected to play a minor role on defense for his first season, with most of his playing time spent on the special teams unit. As the Maroons defensive backs suffered injuries to start the season, Dawkins found himself on the field as a corner, well ahead of the schedule. He would prove to be serviceable but would return to a lesser role once the starters retuned from injury. Further injuries saw Dawkins again seeing playing time, this time at safety where he would look more at home. While still raw and still coming to grips with playing on defense having only really played wide receiver and running back in Australia, Dawkins played well enough to remain as the starter as the team's free safety for the remainder of the season. There were definitely some growing pains, lining up in the wrong formation, missing assignments on defense, but through it all there was signs of development in his first season. His grasp of the game would improve and by the end of the season, it was all but certain that Dawkins would be a starting safety for the his second season with the Maroons.
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