It's commitment season for the sons of Kansas City Chiefs assistant coaches.
Earlier this week Matt Nagy's son committed to play college football at the University of Kansas . Now, Chiefs DBs coach Dave Merritt's family is celebrating the news of his son committing to play college football in the SEC.
Dawson Merritt officially announced his commitment to the University of Alabama as part of its 2025 recruitment class. He was widely regarded as a top 100 player and received offers from over two dozen teams, but the choice came down to Nebraska and Alabama. He chose to go with the Crimson Tide and new head coach Kalen DeBoer.
A hybrid role for Dawson Merritt at Alabama?
The younger Merritt is following in the footsteps of his father and playing the linebacker position in college football. He was an All-ACC linebacker for the NC State Wolfpack before becoming a seventh-round NFL draft pick in 1993. Dawson's role at Alabama will be unique.
Listed at 6-foot-3 and 220 pounds, Dawson, recorded 83 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, and seven sacks during his junior season at Blue Valley High School in Overland Park, Kansas. Dawson will play the WOLF position (a hybrid role including overhang, edge rushing, and blitzing responsibilities) for Crimson Tide co-defensive coordinator and linebacker coach Kane Wommack.
Dave Merritt comments on son's commitment to Alabama
Speaking to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo, Chiefs DBs coach Dave Merritt says his son “diligently went through the process” of weighing football, academics, conditioning, climate, student life and more.
“Long process but worth it. Excited for the young man,” Merritt added.
Merritt and his wife Yolanda have five kids. Sons David Jr., Devin, and Dawson. Also daughters Drayah and Kiki. It sounds like one of the younger siblings has already laid claim to Dawson's room when he goes off to college.
Dave Merritt enters his sixth season as defensive backs coach in Kansas City in 2024. He's considered a rising star in the NFL and was even interviewed for the San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator vacancy this offseason . He previously indicated he would not be pursuing such jobs until his kids graduated from high school and went to college
“One of the things my wife Yolanda and I discussed years ago, was that I was not going to pursue any type of coordinating job while my kids were young. I wanted to be there for Friday night games. I wanted to be there on Saturday if I could to go to some games. You can ask my wife Yolanda, she’ll tell you the same thing. When that time arrives, if I’m afforded a position to be able to even go and interview, I will consult with my wife and then we will take the next step. Right now, I’m focused on trying to be the best defensive coach I can be for my guys.
"A lot of guys think the grass is greener on the other side and then all of the sudden, you can go chase the money. I’ve told my young coaches around me that you want years of service. Money is going to come and go, it’s fleeting. Honestly, you take that chair as a coordinator and you’re responsible for the entire unit and now some of your closeness goes away. That bond that I’ve had with my players is precious to me and I don’t want to lose that right now.”
Related: Trade acquisition, UDFA and draft picks among defensive breakout candidates for Chiefs in 2024
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