The Lexington native graduated from Bryan Station High School and was all-state athlete in both track & field athlete (discuss and shot put) and football. Dermontti Dawson decided to stay home and accepted a scholarship from the University of Kentucky.
Dawson played center and guard at Kentucky from 1984-87 under Coach Jerry Claiborne. In his first year at Kentucky, Dawson was a member of the 1984 Kentucky squad that went 9-3, including a win over Wisconsin in the Hall of Fame Bowl. Dawson was selected to the All-Southeastern Conference second team as a senior. During his time as a Wildcat, Dawson blocked for three top rushers in Kentucky history- Mark Higgs, George Adams and Marc Logan.