Dotson earned the nickname "L-Train" as a junior in high school, explaining that he made it a habit of running opposing players over just like a steaming train.Dotson, who was taken with a compensatory pick that was the 245th overall, became the sixth lineman taken by the Dolphins among their nine picks.
Dotson battled injuries throughout his collegiate career, but he did start all 12 games in 2007 and finished with 50 tackles and 6.5 sacks.