Linebacker Paul Dawson was a Consensus All-American & 2014 Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year
47 | LB Paul Dawson (2012-2014)
A low three-star wide receiver prospect coming out of Dallas Skyline, ranked outside the top 1,300 in the 2011 recruiting class, Dawson chose the JUCO route, attending Trinity Valley Community College and converting to the other side of the ball as a linebacker. Dawson joined the Horned Frogs in 2012 and played in every TCU game for the next three seasons, earning Second Team All-Big 12 in 2013 and First Team All-Big 12 in 2014. Dawson’s signature moment came early in his senior season when No. 4 Oklahoma Sooners visited Amon G. Carter Stadium; in the fourth quarter of a tie game, Dawson leapt in front of a Trevor Knight pass and brought it home into the south endzone for what would prove to be the game-winning points. The Frogs would go on to win the Big 12, demolish Ole Miss in the Peach Bowl and finish the 2014 season ranked No. 3. Dawson delivered an outstanding stat line in 2014, totaling 136 tackles (20 for loss), 6 sacks, 4 interceptions, 9 pass break-ups, 2 forced fumbles, and 3 fumble recoveries, earning Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year and Consensus All-American honors. Dawson would go on to be drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the Third Round of the 2015 NFL Draft.
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