35  Michael Dobson
	Class: Senior Hometown: Mount Airy High School: Mount Airy Height / Weight: 6-0 / 191 Position: Defensive Back Experience: 3L

Career Statistics

A multi-talented ball carrier and pass catcher who is expected to play a vital role in the Pirates' versatile rushing lineup ... Completed spring drills officially listed as Reggie Bullock's top backup in ECU's base package, but should experience plenty of situational action depending on field position and specific down snaps ... Spent rookie season in primarily a learning role behind a pair of seniors before earning part-time starting status as a sophomore ... Also has made a significant impact on special teams as a kickoff return specialist to earn additional playing time, an assignment which could continue in 2012 ... Slowed slightly by a right shoulder injury during the spring, which forced him to miss the second scrimmage on April 7 ... Rushed for 15 yards on three carries during the first contest (March 31) before wrapping up the period with six total touches (3-15 rushing, 3-7 receiving) in the Purple-Gold Game on April 14 ... Displays plenty of athleticism, quickness and receiving ability out of the backfield ... One of only nine players to earn a "super" rating in the Pirates' strength and conditioning program ... Power numbers of significance include a 490-pound back squat and 1,164-watt jerk ... Also recorded a 9'10 broad jump and a time of 4.08 in the pro agility drill during spring testing in the strength and conditioning program.

2011 Game-by-Game Statistics
2011: Broke out during first year of extensive playing time in the backfield, gaining 221 yards and scoring career's first three touchdowns ... Appeared in all 12 games and started contests versus Virginia Tech, UTEP and Marshall ... Also a pass-catching threat who tallied 11 receptions for 96 yards, good for an average of 8.7 yards per grab ... Six of season's 11 catches resulted in first downs ... Caught all three passes intended on first-down plays ... Gained 10 first downs rushing ... At his best on second-and-middle distance carries, averaging 7.9 yards per rush on eight attempts ... Received the bulk of season's carries (33-of-63) on first-down plays ... In Conference USA action, rushed 54 times for 189 yards (3.5 ypc) and touchdowns against Tulane and UTEP ... Added nine grabs for 94 yards (10.4 ypr) in league action ... Carried the ball just nine times for 32 yards and one score, versus Virginia Tech, outside of C-USA play ... Became much more involved in the East Carolina offense during the second half of the year with 40 attempts for 137 yards during the final six contests after totaling 28 rushes for 84 yards during the first six tilts ... Hauled in five passes for 69 yards (13.8 ypc) in Pirate wins as opposed to six catches for 27 yards (4.5 ypc) in losses ... For the second consecutive year, served a valuable role on the special teams ... Returned three kickoffs for 58 yards (19.3 ypr) ... Ran back North Carolina's second kickoff of the contest a season-long 26 yards ... Ended the year matching career high with 12 rushing attempts at Marshall ... Also caught one pass for 12 yards against the Thundering Herd ... Rushed for third career touchdown, and second in three games, in the opening quarter at UTEP ... Registered a career second-best 22-yard rush in the third quarter versus the Miners ... After a pair of carries for eight yards in the first half, gained 36 yards on eight rushes (4.5 ypc) after intermission versus Tulane to set a career high with 44 total ground yards ... Tallied a personal-long 23-yard rush in the second quarter against the Green Wave and scored second career touchdown in the fourth frame with a one-yard plunge ... Established personal highs in rushing attempts (12), receptions (four) and receiving yards (61) at Memphis ... Also hauled in a personal-long 23-yard reception in the second quarter versus the Tigers ... Started first contest of career versus Virginia Tech and rushed for initial touchdown, a two-yard plunge in the opening quarter. 2010 Game-by-Game Statistics
2010:Served as third-string running back behind a pair of seniors, Jonathan Williams and Giavanni Ruffin, during first season on the active roster ... Participated in all 13 games and earned initial varsity letter ... Carried 11 times for 62 yards, an average of 5.6 per carry ... Gained additional time on special teams coverage and return units, totaling nine tackles and eight kickoff returns for 105 yards (13.1 ypr) ... Nine special teams stops (seven kickoff, two punt) were good for the fifth most on the squad ... Tallied six carries on first down, four on second down and one on third down ... Picked up five rushing first downs ... Finished the year with one carry for three yards during the opening quarter of the Military Bowl against Maryland ... Set career bests in kickoff returns (three) and return yards (55) while registering a personal-long 29-yard runback at UAB ... Carried the ball a five times against Navy, gaining 18 yards ... Established a season best with 21 rushing yards versus Marshall ... Recorded first career catch (four yards) versus the Thundering Herd on a third-down play ... Returned first career kickoff (seven yards) in fourth quarter at North Carolina ... Made ECU running back debut in fourth quarter against Memphis, gaining a first down on a 12-yard, third-down carry.

2009: Redshirted during initial season in ECU program ... Officially signed with the Pirates in February, 2009.

High School: Averaged 11.3 yards per carry as a senior, rushing for 1,758 yards and 35 touchdowns on 156 attempts to help lead Mount Airy to a 16-0 record and Class I-A state championship ... Ran for 1,638 yards on 153 carries (10.7 ypr) as a junior, scoring 33 touchdowns to help lead the Bears to 13-1 record and a conference title ... Racked up 1,380 yards and 15 touchdowns in 2006 as a sophomore as MAHS compiled a 10-5 mark ... On the other side of the ball, credited with 35 tackles as a safety during his final campaign, which included a 37-14 victory over Williamston in the championship game ... Collected a career-best 82 stops as a junior and finished career with 12 interceptions ... An all-state selection (all divisions) during last two seasons of prep career ... Also chosen to the all-area squad in 2007 ... Additionally, was named Northwest Conference Offensive Player-of-the-Year and was an All-Northwest Team selection by the Winston-Salem Journal as a junior ... Rated as 25th-best athlete according to ESPN.com ... Also was an all-conference performer in track, earning a first-place finish in the regional 100-meter dash ... Recipient of the inaugural Mt. Airy Messenger Male High School Athlete-of-the-Year Award in 2007 ... Academically, was a member of the school's Honor Roll.

Personal: Full name is Michael Allen Dobson, Jr. ... Born June 24, 1991 at Mount Airy, N.C. ... Son of Michael and Sharon Dobson ... Major is criminal justice ... Lists Randy Moss as favorite NFL player and Kobe Bryant as favorite overall athlete to watch ... Credits parents as most influential people on the development of his career.