Lionel Dotson

Lionel Eugene Dotson, Jr. (born February 11, 1985) is an American football defensive tackle who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the seventh round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He played college football at Arizona.

Dotson has also been a member of the Denver Broncos and Buffalo Bills.

Early years
Dotson attended and played high school football at Dobie High School in Pasadena, Texas. He was a two-time letterman in both football and basketball. During his senior season, he recorded 50 tackles and 13 sacks on his way to a nomination for the U.S. Army All-American Bowl. In basketball, he earned first-team all-district honors as a junior and was selected to the Texas High School Coaches All-Star game as a senior.

College career
After graduating from Dobie High School, Dotson played college football for the University of Arizona. As as true freshman in 2003, he was redshirted and was a member of the defensive scout team.

Dotson saw action in seven games including six starts as a redshirt freshman in 2004. He finished the season with 19 tackles (12 solo), 3.5 tackles for a loss and three sacks. Against rival Arizona State, he recorded five tackles, 1.5 tackles for a loss and a sack.

As a sophomore in 2005, Dotson started four of the 10 games in which he played for the Wildcats. On the year he recorded 21 tackles (10 solo), a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. He set a season-high and tied a career-high with five tackles in a game against Washington.

Dotson played in 11 games for the Wildcats in 2006, starting 10 of them. He earned honorable mention All-Pac-10 honors as a junior with 31 tackles (15 solo), two tackles for a loss, a sack and a forced fumble.

He experienced his most productive season as a senior in 2007, recording 50 tackles (36 solo), nine tackles for a loss, a team-high 6.5 sacks a forced fumble and a pass defensed. For his efforts, Dotson earned second-team All-Pac-10 honors.

During his four-year collegiate career at Arizona, Dotson started 32 of the 40 games in which he played and racked up 121 tackles (73 solo), 14.5 tackles for a loss, 10.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, a fumble recovery and four passes defensed.

Miami Dolphins
Dotson was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the seventh round (245th overall) of the 2008 NFL Draft. Dotson reported that the Dolphins had been calling him throughout the second day of the draft, though he had also been contacted by the Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons and New York Giants. He was the third and final defensive lineman taken by the Dolphins in the draft, following Phillip Merling and Kendall Langford. On May 19, the Dolphins signed Dotson to a multi-year contract.

Dotson was waived on September 4, 2010.

Denver Broncos
Dotson was signed to the Denver Broncos' practice squad on September 5.

Second stint with Dolphins
Dotson was signed off of the Broncos' practice squad by the Dolphins on September 14.

Buffalo Bills
On July 31, 2011, Dotson signed with the Buffalo Bills. He was waived on July 25, 2012.

Personal
Dotson's uncle, Vance Bedford, is currently serves as defensive coordinator at the University of Louisville and played for the NFL's St. Louis Cardinals in 1982.