Dante Fowler Jr. Bio
Dante Antwane Fowler Jr. (born August 3, 1994) is an American professional football defensive end for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighing 261 pounds, he is recognized as a pass-rushing specialist who has played for multiple franchises since entering the league.
Fowler played college football for the Florida Gators and was selected third overall by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 2015 NFL draft. After missing his entire rookie season because of a torn ACL, he has since played for the Los Angeles Rams, Atlanta Falcons, Dallas Cowboys, and Washington Commanders, establishing himself as a productive edge rusher.
Early Life and Background
Dante Antwane Fowler Jr. was born on August 3, 1994, in St. Petersburg, Florida. He grew up in the Tampa Bay area and attended Lakewood High School, where he developed into a two-sport standout in football and track. His size, speed, and athletic versatility made him one of the most sought-after high school prospects in the country.
Following his senior season, Fowler was named an honorable mention to the Sports Illustrated All-American football team. He was also selected to play in the 2012 Under Armour All-America Game, an event that traditionally showcases the nation’s top high school seniors. Beyond football, he competed in track and field as a shot putter, recording a top throw of 14.32 meters (47 feet), which highlighted his overall athletic foundation.
Path to American Football
Fowler accepted a football scholarship from the University of Florida, joining a Gators program rich in defensive tradition. As a freshman in 2012, he moved to the outside linebacker position and quickly adjusted to the college level, playing in all 13 games and starting against Missouri. He recorded 30 tackles, including eight for loss and 2.5 sacks, earning recognition on several freshman All-American teams.
In his sophomore season, Fowler started all 13 games and was named a team captain for the final two games, finishing with 50 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, and 3.5 sacks. He followed that with a dominant junior year in 2014, when he slimmed down from 277 to 261 pounds to become a more explosive edge player. That season he tallied 60 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles, earning first-team All-Southeastern Conference honors from the conference’s coaches. In the 2015 Birmingham Bowl against East Carolina, he recorded three sacks to help Florida secure a 28–20 victory.
Dante Fowler Jr. Career
Early Career (2015–2016)
Fowler was selected third overall by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 2015 NFL draft. On May 8, 2015, on the first day of mini-camp, he tore his ACL during the opening drill and missed his entire rookie season. Four days later, he signed a fully guaranteed four-year, $23.5 million contract with a $15.3 million signing bonus.
After recovering from his knee injury, Fowler made his NFL debut on September 11, 2016, against the Green Bay Packers, recording three tackles, including one for a loss, in a 27–23 defeat. He played in all 16 games with one start, finishing his first active season with 32 tackles, 4 sacks, and five passes defensed.
Jacksonville Jaguars (2015–2018)
Fowler’s first career touchdown came on September 10, 2017, in a 29–7 road victory over the Houston Texans, when he returned a fumble 53 yards for a score. He also forced a fumble off quarterback Deshaun Watson that was recovered by teammate Yannick Ngakoue, helping the Jaguars finish atop the AFC South with a 10–6 record. In the playoffs, he recorded five tackles, two sacks, and a pass deflection before Jacksonville fell 24–20 to the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Game.
On May 2, 2018, the Jaguars declined the fifth-year option on Fowler’s rookie contract. Later that summer, on July 20, 2018, he was suspended one game for violating the league’s personal conduct policy. In December 2019, the NFL Players Association revealed it had won a grievance on Fowler’s behalf, alleging that Jacksonville had improperly fined him more than $700,000 for missed offseason medical appointments, an incident that reportedly contributed to the firing of football operations chief Tom Coughlin.
Los Angeles Rams Era (2018–2019)
On October 30, 2018, Fowler was traded to the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for a compensatory third-round pick (Quincy Williams) in the 2019 draft and a fifth-round pick in 2020. With Los Angeles shifting to a 3–4 defense, he moved to right outside linebacker. In eight regular-season games, he produced 21 tackles, 2 sacks, a pass defended, and a forced fumble, then added 2 tackles and a sack in a Divisional Round win over the Dallas Cowboys. In the NFC Championship Game, he recorded 5 tackles and half a sack in a 26–23 overtime victory over the New Orleans Saints, hitting Drew Brees on a play that set up John Johnson III’s interception. Fowler finished Super Bowl LIII with 4 tackles in a 13–3 loss to the New England Patriots.
On March 11, 2019, he signed a one-year, $14 million extension with the Rams. He opened the season with two sacks of Cam Newton in a 30–27 road win over the Carolina Panthers, recorded three sacks of Matt Ryan in a 37–10 victory over the Atlanta Falcons, and recovered a fumbled snap for a 26-yard touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers. In Week 16, he sacked Jimmy Garoppolo 2.5 times in a 34–31 loss to the San Francisco 49ers.
Atlanta Falcons (2020–2021)
On March 25, 2020, Fowler signed a three-year, $48 million contract with the Atlanta Falcons, reuniting with head coach Dan Quinn, his former defensive coordinator at Florida. Starting 14 games at right defensive end, he recorded 22 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, and 8 quarterback pressures. He was briefly placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list in November 2020 before being activated later that month.
When Atlanta switched to a 3–4 defense in 2021, Fowler moved to right outside linebacker. He appeared in 14 games with six starts, registering 36 tackles, 6 tackles for loss, a team-leading 4.5 sacks, 8 quarterback pressures, and a career-best three forced fumbles. A knee injury sent him to injured reserve in late October, but he returned in time for the Week 10 game against the Cowboys. The Falcons released him on February 16, 2022.
Washington Commanders (2024)
On March 15, 2024, Fowler signed a one-year contract with the Washington Commanders, reuniting with Dan Quinn, then the team’s head coach. The pairing was central to Fowler’s decision, as Quinn had previously transitioned him to an outside linebacker/edge role. The Commanders aimed to replace the production of departed defensive ends Montez Sweat and Chase Young.
In Week 6 against the Carolina Panthers, Fowler recorded his first career interception, returning it 67 yards for a touchdown. In Week 9 against the New York Giants, he posted 6 tackles, 2 sacks, 2 quarterback pressures, and a forced fumble. Fowler contributed to a Washington defense that helped the team reach the NFC Championship Game, where they lost 55–23 to the Philadelphia Eagles.
Dallas Cowboys Eras (2022–2023 and 2025–Present)
On March 18, 2022, Fowler signed a one-year contract with the Dallas Cowboys, reuniting with defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, his former head coach in Atlanta. Appearing in all 17 games as a pass-rushing specialist at defensive end, he collected 20 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 6 sacks, and 29 quarterback pressures. He followed that with another one-year deal on March 21, 2023, appearing in all 17 games as a rotational defensive end and posting 13 tackles, 5 tackles for loss, 4 sacks, and 7 quarterback pressures.
On March 14, 2025, Fowler signed a one-year, $8 million contract to return to the Cowboys. He re-enters the Dallas defense as an established veteran edge rusher with a long track record of quarterback pressure in Dan Quinn’s system.
Driving Style and Strengths
Fowler is known for his explosiveness off the edge, refined hand technique, and ability to convert speed into power at the line of scrimmage. His success in 3–4 schemes under Dan Quinn has shown he can play both defensive end and outside linebacker, thriving as a pass-rushing specialist who generates consistent quarterback hurries and pressures.
Notable Events and Milestones
Highlights of Fowler’s career include his 53-yard fumble return touchdown against the Houston Texans in 2017, a key hit on Drew Brees in the 2018 NFC Championship Game, his first career interception returned 67 yards for a score in 2024, and three-sack performances against both Matt Ryan and the Pittsburgh Steelers’ offensive line.
Dante Fowler Jr. Career Wins
Across his NFL career, Dante Fowler Jr. has recorded double-digit sack seasons, multiple postseason appearances, and a Super Bowl LIII appearance with the Los Angeles Rams. His production has spanned four franchises, highlighted by signature games against the Carolina Panthers, Houston Texans, and Pittsburgh Steelers.
NFL Highlights
Fowler has reached double-digit quarterback pressure totals in multiple seasons, including 29 pressures with the Cowboys in 2022 and a team-leading 4.5 sacks for the Falcons in 2021. His first NFL touchdown came on a 53-yard fumble return against the Houston Texans in 2017, and his most recent scoring play came on a 67-yard interception return for the Washington Commanders in 2024.
Other Wins and Performances
In high school, Fowler was a Sports Illustrated All-American honorable mention and an Under Armour All-American. At Florida, he earned first-team All-SEC honors in 2014 and second-team All-SEC recognition in 2013, capping his college career with three sacks in the 2015 Birmingham Bowl victory over East Carolina.
Dante Fowler Jr. Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Fowler is the son of Dante Fowler Sr., and grew up in St. Petersburg, Florida, where he developed into a multi-sport athlete. His younger brother, Donterio Fowler, was arrested in July 2021 in connection to a 2016 murder of a Florida International University student.
Personal Life
On July 18, 2017, Fowler was arrested in St. Petersburg, Florida, for simple battery and committing mischief after confronting a man who commented about his driving. On March 1, 2018, he pleaded no contest to battery, criminal mischief, and petty theft, and was fined $2,575, placed on a year of probation, and ordered to complete 75 hours of community service.
2025 Season Performance
Fowler signed a one-year, $8 million contract with the Dallas Cowboys on March 14, 2025, returning to the team that previously featured him in 2022 and 2023. He is expected to serve as a veteran pass-rushing specialist at defensive end in Dan Quinn’s defense, providing experience and quarterback pressure off the edge.
With a deep Cowboys defensive line rotation, Fowler is projected to focus on situational pass-rush snaps, third-down pressures, and veteran leadership. His familiarity with the Cowboys’ scheme and defensive staff positions him as a reliable contributor throughout the regular season.
As the 2025 season unfolds, Fowler’s production in pressures, sacks, and run defense will be a key barometer of his value in Dallas. A productive year could further extend his career, while a strong showing in the playoffs would reinforce his reputation as a postseason performer, having previously reached a Super Bowl with the Rams and an NFC Championship Game with the Commanders.