Education
A native of Spartanburg, South Carolina, Dawkins attended James F. Byrnes High School in Duncan, where he was an All-State defensive lineman.
A native of Spartanburg, South Carolina, Dawkins attended James F. Byrnes High School in Duncan, where he was an All-State defensive lineman.
He was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the seventh round of the 2013 NFL Draft. He played college football at Florida State. Driven by an offense that included running back Marcus Lattimore, the Rebels capped a 15–0 season with a state championship in 2007.
From his defensive end position, Dawkins contributed 115 tackles, including 14 sacks and five fumble recoveries.
After his senior season concluded, he was invited to Max Emfinger"s All-American Bowl Classic in Jackson, Mississippi, where he recorded five sacks and double-digit tackles, and to the 71st annual Shrine Bowl game. Regarded as a four-star recruit by Rivals.com, Dawkins was ranked as the Number.
8 weakside defensive end prospects in his class. With offers also from South Carolina, Illinois, Michigan State, Tennessee, and Virginia Technical, Dawkins committed to the Seminoles on November 17, 2007.
Dawkins was a two-year starter at defensive tackle for Florida State.
2013 NFL Combine
Dawkins was released by the Vikings on August 31, 2013 (along with 18 others) to get to a 53 man roster and signed to the practice squad the next day. On November 6, Dawkins was signed off of Minnesota"s practice squad by the Dallas Cowboys.
Dawkins has also been a member of the Dallas Cowboys, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New York Giants.