It was the biggest moment of his life, proving himself for NFL scouts at the invite only 2008 NFL combine in Indianapolis. ULM's Calvin Dawson didn't get a chance to do that though.
After being evaluated by all 32 team doctors(every player goes through this) Calvin was all clear to perform except by one doctor. Dawson suffered a mild stinger against Arkansas State during the 2007 season but returned to the game later. An MRI performed before his workout at the combine showed a small herniated disk in his neck.
"I was very grateful that the doctor found that because if I had gotten hit just right I could have been injured worse on down the line. On the other hand I was extremely disappointed I could not work out for the scouts. I felt great and wanted to work out for those guys but the doctors wouldn't clear me".
"I had surgery to have the disk repaired and it was 100% successful. I am full strength again and am returning to Houston this week to continue my training before the draft. I will hold private workouts for scouts in Houston and back in Monroe".
"Baltimore was talking to me the most during the season and while I was at the combine, St. Louis, Arizona, Washington, and Oakland were talking to me quite a bit".
Calvin Dawson is ULM's all time leading rusher and rushed for 100 yards or more against BCS schools Kansas, Kentucky, Alabama, Arkansas, Clemson, and Texas A&M. He had a string of 10 straight 100 yard rushing games, the longest streak in the nation in 2007.