by Rick Ryan, Assistant sports editor , Charleston Gazette

The former standout wide receiver at South Charleston helped the United States capture the gold medal last weekend during the football Junior World Championships at Fawcett Stadium in Canton, Ohio.

Not only did Dobson get to represent his country on the trip to Canton, which lasted just over three weeks, but he figures to get the jump on many of the incoming freshmen when he reports to Marshall's preseason camp in early August.

While they were lounging poolside or going to the movies last month, Dobson was matched up against some top-notch defensive backs at U.S. practice sessions.

"It's going to help a lot,'' Dobson said. "Our defensive backs were really physical, fast and strong. Everything like defensive backs are going to be in college . I was able to get ready for football a lot earlier than everyone else did. It's going to help a lot.''

Of course, Dobson is still going to have to adjust to the rigors of Division I college football like everyone else. There will be mental adjustments as well as physical.

After a senior season at SC when he caught 49 passes for 1,298 yards and 17 touchdowns and led the Black Eagles to the Class AAA championship, he had to get used to not being the primary receiver on every play for the United States.

In the three games - all lopsided victories for the Americans - Dobson caught five passes for 123 yards and one TD. A healthy 24.6 yards-per-catch average, but still far less work than he's accustomed to.

"I'm not used to all 22 people on the field being good,'' Dobson said. "The skill level was like it will be in college .''

Incidentally, the receiver wearing No. 84 for the U.S. last week in Canton looked a bit different than the one who wore No. 3 for South Charleston the past couple seasons.

The 6-foot-3 Dobson has "thickened up,'' according to SC coach John Messinger, and played about 15 pounds heavier than he did last fall, putting him a little over 200.

"I've put on a lot of weight since high school,'' Dobson said. "Hopefully it'll help me. I'm stronger now. It'll help me get off the line of scrimmages against the DBs, that sort of thing.''

Dobson doesn't go into Thundering Herd camp with any preconceived notions.

Marshall lost only two receivers of note from last year's team - Darius Passmore and Emmanuel Spann - and welcomes six newcomers this season (freshmen, grayshirts and junior college transfers).

"They didn't promise me anything,'' Dobson said. "My goal is to go in there and work hard. I think I can make a huge contribution to this team.''

Dobson said eight friends and family members came up to Canton for the gold medal game last Saturday, a 41-3 win over Canada. The other victories for the U.S. were 78-0 against France and 55-0 versus Mexico.

"I had a good time,'' Dobson said. "I made a lot of friends, and had a good time.''

Photo courtesty SHAWN HUBBARD PHOTOGRAPHY

Former South Charleston wide receiver Aaron Dobson helped the U.S. win the gold medal at the Junior World Championships.

Reach Rick Ryan at 304-348-5175 or rickryan@wvgazette.com

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