Full Bio

About

Meet Duke Dawson, the Patriots’
newest defensive back

Duke Dawson (born October 3, 1996) is an American football cornerback for the New England Patriots of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Florida.

Dawson played in 48 games over four seasons for the Gators, recording six interceptions (three returned for TDs), 23 pass breakups and 82 total tackles. He played safety as a freshman before spending his sophomore and junior seasons at nickel corner. In his final campaign in 2017, Dawson played outside cover corner, recording 4 interceptions (one returned for a TD), 9 pass breakups, and 2 tackles for loss. He was named first-team All-SEC and was an Associated Press second-team All-SEC selection.

With the Patriots selection of Dawson, he is the second player out of his high school to reach the NFL ranks, joining Nick Collins, who spent seven seasons as a safety with the Packers. Collins, who was also a second round pick, was named to the Pro Bowl three times and earned a Super Bowl ring in Green Bay. “Duke has been in my life for a long time,’’ Collins said recently. “I’ve known him since he was a baby, so just watching him grow over the years, through middle school, high school, and play collegiate ball, his skills just continue to improve each and every year at every level that he’s participated in and it’s a joy to watch.

“It just goes to show no matter where you go, where you are from, that if you put in the work and be very persistent at what you do, the sky is the limit,’’ Collins said. “Dreams can come true.’’ Now, Dawson is trying to pay it forward and play the role of mentor for a younger player. His cousin, Aaron, was a standout receiver and defensive back for Dixie County and signed in February to play at Valdosta State. “Growing up, we grew up in the same house together, so seeing him work hard, seeing how he came from the bottom to the top — we in small Cross City — so I seen how he put in his work and I want to just follow him in that way and look where it got him,’’ Aaron said last fall.