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Florida Football: Looking back at the Gators career of Dante Fowler

By Matt Melton

BIRMINGHAM, AL - JANUARY 03: Dante Fowler Jr. #6 of the Florida Gators works against Tre Robertson #68 of the East Carolina Pirates during the Birmingham Bowl at Legion Field on January 3, 2015 in Birmingham, Alabama. Florida won the game 28-20. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
BIRMINGHAM, AL - JANUARY 03: Dante Fowler Jr. #6 of the Florida Gators works against Tre Robertson #68 of the East Carolina Pirates during the Birmingham Bowl at Legion Field on January 3, 2015 in Birmingham, Alabama. Florida won the game 28-20. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /
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One of Florida Football’s top players on the defensive side of the ball during his time in Gainesville, Dante Fowler was an impact player for the Gators for three years from 2012-14. The SEC’s first player selected in the 2015 NFL Draft as well, here is a look back at the Florida career of Fowler.

Looking back at the Florida Football career of Dante Fowler

A five-star prospect out of in-state Lakewood High School, Fowler originally came to Florida in the Gators 2012 recruiting class, one that ranked third nationally and second in the SEC. One half of a highly-touted pass rushing duo in that 2012 class alongside fellow five-star Jonathan Bullard, Fowler however would instantly become a key part of the Gators defense, evident by his 2012 freshman season in which he collected 30 tackles, eight TFL, and 2.5 sacks.

Coming off that season, Fowler would go-on to enjoy a strong 2013 sophomore campaign as well, one in which the former five-star received Second Team All-SEC honors. Collecting a total of 50 tackles as a sophomore, Fowler would also add 10 TFL and 3.5 sacks in 2013, along with a career-high three forced fumbles, which ranked third in the SEC.

What Fowler may be remembered most by Florida Football fans however is his 2014 junior season, one in which he collected a career-high 60 tackles, 15 TFL (No. 5 in SEC), and 8.5 sacks (No. 8 in SEC), while also forcing two fumbles (No. 10 in SEC). Receiving First Team All-SEC honors, Fowler would declare for the 2015 NFL Draft at seasons end, ending his Florida career that included 140 total tackles, 33 TFL, and 14.5 sacks from 2012-14.

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Selected with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars, Fowler has since appeared in a total of 91 games from 2016-21 with the Jaguars, Los Angeles Rams, and Atlanta Falcons, collecting a total of 200 tackles, 44 TFL, and 35 sacks. The former Florida standout is entering the 2022 season with the Dallas Cowboys, Fowler’s first with the organization.

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