**PITTSBURGH** — The Pitt Panthers have been diligently recruiting one of the top defensive back prospects, and their efforts have recently paid off.
Elijah Dotson, a standout from Belleville High School in suburban Detroit, Mich., told Steve Wiltfong of On3 that Pitt has made his top four schools, alongside rivals Penn State, Michigan, and Michigan State.
Dotson announced he will commit on May 18, narrowing his top eight list—which included Illinois, Kansas, Purdue, and Tennessee—down to these four schools.
Belleville 2025 WR/S Elijah Dotson wearing Pittsburgh gear this past weekend. pic.twitter.com/uFYl7PJS1E
— The D Zone (@TheD_Zone) April 17, 2024
Pitt was the first to offer Dotson, with secondary coach Archie Collins focusing heavily on the Detroit area. Dotson even wore Pitt gloves at a camp in April, signaling his affinity for the program.
Dotson has visited Pitt multiple times, most recently in late March and for the Spring game a few weeks ago.
“They have done a great job,” Dotson told Wiltfong. “Pitt has been with me from the beginning. We have built a relationship throughout this whole process, and the coaches make me feel like a priority.”
Dotson acknowledged that all four schools are strong contenders. Penn State has been recruiting him for a long time, Michigan recently won the National Title, and Michigan State has shown great interest under their new staff.
Dotson is rated as a four-star recruit by 247Sports, On3, and Rivals. 247Sports ranks him as the No. 7 recruit in Michigan and No. 44 at the safety position, while On3 ranks him as the No. 4 recruit in Michigan and No. 14 athlete for the Class of 2025.
An exceptional athlete, Dotson excels at both wide receiver and defensive back. He recorded 43 catches, 1,653 all-purpose yards, 18 total touchdowns, 66 tackles, three interceptions, and 11 pass breakups.
Three 247Sports recruiting insiders—Allen Trieu, Steve Lorenz, and Brice Marich—predict Dotson will choose Pitt. On3’s recruiting prediction machine also favors Pitt.
https://twitter.com/ElijahDotson06/status/1722953352789520629?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1722953352789520629%7Ctwgr%5E0b88a7a55ba82552dd8ccb99956177f654ce4eea%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.si.com%2Fcollege%2Fpittsburgh%2Fpitt-panthers-top-four-ahead-elijah-dotson-commitment
Dotson confirmed to Wiltfong that one school stands out, though he still needs time to consider his options.
“There is a school that has an edge,” Dotson said. “I feel good about each of the four schools and I like the coaches, but there is a school I do like a little more. There are still some things I have to think about to make sure, but I do have a feeling.”
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