Lantana, Fla.- “We’re going to win a National Championship while I’m here.”

The Santaluces Chiefs are primed for an outstanding 2026-27 campaign led by senior EDGE rusher Jayvon “JJ” Dawson.

Dawson, a 6- foot- 5 rusher from Lantana, Fla. exploded onto the scene his junior season recording 68 total tackles, 22 tackles for loss, 8 sacks, and 1 forced fumble.



This spring, Miami extended extend a verbal offer to the talented “Jack-Backer” on May 6, with Dawson officially pledging a commitment to the Hurricanes on May 17.




During yesterday’s (August 1) Palm Beach County Media Day, presented by the 561Showcase and NewEraPrep, I had an opportunity to catch up with Dawson to speak about his football journey, goals for his senior season, ‘Why Miami?’ and everything in between.

On Week 0 Matchup vs Pahokee:

JJ: “I’m feeling good and very excited for my senior season. I know that we're going to come out there and compete and win the game. It’ll be a great opportunity for our young guys to play.”

What makes Santaluces special headed into this season:



JJ: “We’ve got a great brotherhood with a lot of competition. We like to compete against each other, we are going to toss them out every day and practice all day every day, but it's always just to get ourselves better.”

Biggest Personal Growth through this off-season:

JJ: “I’d say my biggest emphasis was off the field, just spiritually- wise, getting closer to God and growing my faith.”

Why Miami?



JJ: “Well … it’s Miami! Who wouldn’t want to be a Hurricane? Also being coached by Jason Taylor, I know that he's an elite coach that makes elite D-Linemen go to the NFL.”

Most anticipated thing about coming to Miami?



JJ: “I know when I get to Miami there’s going to be other elite D-Linemen coming in with me. I’m excited to come in, compete, give 100% effort every day on Greentree and earn the No. 1 spot. I’m surrounded by elite coaches that I’m going to develop under and win a National Championship with.”



Initial Reaction to Amir Sears’ commitment + thoughts on C/O 2027 recruiting class?



JJ: “Man, I knew he was going to come to the U! I feel really great after that. We’ve got dogs! We’ve got the best 2027 class in the country. Having people from my area is a good thing, come in, bond over shared experiences and build a brotherhood.”



Who’d win in a 1v1: Amir Sears at WR or Amir Sears at DB?



JJ: “Amir Sears at receiver….he’s a dog at both WR and DB but the clips I’ve seen, yeah, that boy’s different at WR.”



Fill in the blank: Miami will ___ in 2026.

JJ: “Win the National Championship”

 

He’s the reason I don’t believe we need jacobs . I still believe we should save jacobs $$ on anothrr top ot and DT. I could see Dawson jumping up in weight to 240 to 250 easily and quickly

 

Great job, @ChristianProscia

 

He’s the reason I don’t believe we need jacobs . I still believe we should save jacobs $$ on anothrr top ot and DT. I could see Dawson jumping up in weight to 240 to 250 easily and quickly

I agree but Miami is too far in to turn down Jacobs if he wants in. Either way we are good

 

This guy will be drafted top 25. Another first round monster at DE. Media is way behind on this one. Guy is NOT a 3 star, but thanks for making this initial recruitment cheaper.

 

****. Got spooked there for a second. Took a quick glance at the headline and thought the kid opened his commitment back up, lol

 

We do not have to save money, if we want someone we will go get them and nothing will matter. If we paid DJ this cycle it wont have no effect on recruiting another edge next cycle thats a top 10 type NFL pick. We recruit the best every cycle it wont matter

 

We do not have to save money, if we want someone we will go get them and nothing will matter. If we paid DJ this cycle it wont have no effect on recruiting another edge next cycle thats a top 10 type NFL pick. We recruit the best every cycle it wont matter

Why not get a 5 star DT . Motten and possibly Scott leave

 

Why not get a 5 star DT . Motten and possibly Scott leave

Because they may think the "5*" tackles int his year class aren't worth what they are asking for. I'm sure they made a big offer for Folu

 

Because they may think the "5*" tackles int his year class aren't worth what they are asking for. I'm sure they made a big offer for Folu

Well we need one soon esp if Scott don’t come back . If he leaves with Motten we’ll be in the portal is my guess . I hope Scott comes back problem solved lol

 

Well we need one soon esp if Scott don’t come back . If he leaves with Motten we’ll be in the portal is my guess . I hope Scott comes back problem solved lol

Again they have ALOT of DT on the roster… What if they think some of them are 5* quality? DT play last year was excellent last year (some of the best as a group in the country) with one 5* DT on the roster who was basically DT #3

 

Again they have ALOT of DT on the roster… What if they think some of them are 5* quality? DT play last year was excellent last year (some of the best as a group in the country) with one 5* DT on the roster who was basically DT #3

We are deep at DT for 27 even with Scott most likely leaving.Davis,Carter,Newton,Sainteus,Chukwurah,Bacon,Stancil,Nagle,Ayangbile,Jenkins and Johnson.Deep but very green,we will be looking to sign 1 and maybe 2 of the top DTs in next portal season.

 

Why not get a 5 star DT . Motten and possibly Scott leave

Correct me if I’m wrong but I think other teams try to get 5 star DTs as well

 

I agree but Miami is too far in to turn down Jacobs if he wants in. Either way we are good

Miami is WHAT?!!!!! BIG PAUSE

 

We do not have to save money, if we want someone we will go get them and nothing will matter. If we paid DJ this cycle it wont have no effect on recruiting another edge next cycle thats a top 10 type NFL pick. We recruit the best every cycle it wont matter

Why not get a 5 star DT . Motten and possibly Scott leave

I think they value who they have Stancil and this kid from Texas. To them those guys are five stars

They have to think really highly of them

 

I think they value who they have Stancil and this kid from Texas. To them those guys are five stars

They have to think really highly of them

Ezekiel Is like 265 he’ll to put on 30 pounds imo Scott is prob coming back is my guess and also wonder if Isaac Chukwurah, Bacon , Nagle snd Sainteus are going to be ready . There’ll be inside​

 

He’s the reason I don’t believe we need jacobs . I still believe we should save jacobs $$ on anothrr top ot and DT. I could see Dawson jumping up in weight to 240 to 250 easily and quickly

With all due respect, I disagree with this. You can never have too much elite trench talent. As far as DT is concerned, Mario and staff are very much aware of our needs and if you see us going all in for DJ Jacobs when we already have Jaiden Bryant and Jayvon Dawson, it's for a reason. The staff is well aware of their financial situation and how to properly allocate those resources.

Don't get me wrong because I agree with you regarding the need for another OT and a DT. We went hard(pause) after OL Mark Matthews and OL Olu plus DT Folorunsho and DT Fakatou and DT Brewster but we can't force players to come here. Additionally the staff sees Jacobs as a potential program changing talent.