AC’s Dorton signs with ETSU
Anderson County offensive lineman Eli Dorton signed his national letter of intent ot continue his academic and athletic career at East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, Tennessee on Thursday, Dec. 5. Pictured are (from left): William Dorton (brother), Ethan Dorton (brother), Eli, Brooke Dorton (mother) and Jason Stubbs (stepfather). (photo:Tony Cox )
Dorton, a senior football standout at Anderson County High School, recently finalized his plans to join ETSU’s football program in Johnson City.
“My mom actually went there. That’s her alma mater,” Dorton said. “She never said anything to me the whole time, but deep inside, I know she was saying, ‘Come on.’”
Dorton, named Region 2-4A Offensive Lineman of the Year, helped lead the Mavericks to an 11-2 season and a trip to the Class 4A state semifinals, where they fell 43-41 to Macon County on Nov. 29.
His recruiting journey began in January and included offers from Army (FBS) and several Ivy League schools. Despite this, Dorton chose ETSU without making any official visits.
“I never made any official visits. I made unofficial game-day visits and saw what they did,” he said. “The day I went there, they had Darius Rucker performing.”
Dorton, who transferred to Anderson County from Campbell County for his senior season, received high praise from Mavericks head coach Davey Gillum during his signing ceremony.
“You’ve handled yourself like a Christian young man, and you’ve been a good teammate,” Gillum said. “I’m proud of you. You’ll always be a Maverick, and you’ll always be welcome here.”
Dorton said ETSU’s offer was one of the last he received, but a visit from Bucs offensive coordinator and offensive line coach Joe Scelfo sealed the deal.
“Coach Joe Scelfo came here, and I decided he was the coach I wanted to play for the next four years,” Dorton said.
While undecided on a major, Dorton expressed aspirations of opening his own business after college. He added that ETSU’s atmosphere reminded him of his high school experience.
“It was as close as an FBS school could be to Anderson County for me,” he said.
