Just watching the video of Josh Dawson over his high school career, there was little doubt about whether he would play at the next level. It was more a question of where.

Now that question is answered as Dawson committed to play football for the University of Wyoming Cowboys and head coach Craig Bohl over the weekend.

Dawson rushed for 1,370 yards and 21 touchdowns for the Braves this past year and led the team in defensive points as a linebacker. He scored a total of 23 touchdowns this season, breaking the school record for scores in a single-season. He ranks #5 all-time in rushing yards for SVHS with 1,978 yards and ranks #2 in school history with 30 total touchdowns.

Josh joins his older brother, Theo, who committed to play for UW before leaving to the Chile, Concepción mission 20 months ago. Theo is scheduled to return home in June and join the team where he is expected to play as a tailback. Josh will join UW after serving his own two-year LDS mission. The destination is not yet known.

Josh helped the Braves to a state championship his junior season on the football field and also won an individual wrestling title at 220 pounds during an undefeated junior season. He is currently undefeated in the same weight class this season and became Star Valley’s first two-time Ron Thon tournament champion. Dawson was part of the Braves wrestling team championship last year and also scored points in the discus as the Braves track & field team won the title as well.

Dawson is a three-time Wyoming 3A all-state selection. Once as a sophomore for the Jackson Broncs and twice for the Braves during his junior and senior seasons. He was named to the Casper Star-Tribune’s Super-25 team this past season as well as being named a USA Today All-American. Dawson will join teammates Hunter Cranney, Payton Erickson, Ronnie Kaye and Cosmo Morgan in the 2018 Shrine Bowl in Casper on June 9, where SVHS head coach Mckay Young is coaching the South squad and assisted by Nicc Crosby.

• Former Braves
Dawson becomes the first SVHS player to commit to a FBS (Formerly D-I) program out of high school since Rick Wolfley (‘05-’6) signed to play with the BYU Cougars.

Former Brave, Pahl Schwab, walked onto the UW Football team two seasons ago and earned a scholarship this past season where he was listed second on the depth chart at left tackle and played on field goals and extra points. Schwab served as Dawson’s escort for this past weekend as he committed to the program.

The Cowboys played in back-to-back bowl games for the first time since 1987-88 this past season as they finished 8-5 with a 37-13 Potato Bowl victory over Central Michigan in December. UW quarterback, Josh Allen is expected to go high in the first round of the NFL Draft on April 26.

The Wyoming defense is expected to return nine of 11 starters from a unit that led the NCAA in turnover margin (+38) and was ranked #8 in overall defense in yards per play.