Dakota Dozier Explained

Dakota Dozier
Current Team:Free agent
Number:70, 78
Position:Guard
Birth Date:30 April 1991
Birth Place:West Columbia, South Carolina, U.S.
Height Ft:6
Height In:4
Weight Lbs:312
High School:Brookland-Cayce
(Cayce, South Carolina)
College:Furman
Draftyear:2014
Draftround:4
Draftpick:137
Pastteams:
Highlights:
  • Unanimous FCS All-American (2013)
  • Third-team FCS All-American (2012)
  • First-team All-SoCon (2012, 2013)
  • Second-team All-SoCon (2011)
  • SoCon All-Freshman Team (2010)
Statlabel1:Games played
Statvalue1:76
Statlabel2:Games started
Statvalue2:27
Pfr:D/DoziDa00

Dakota Duran Dozier (born April 30, 1991) is a former American football guard. He was selected by the New York Jets in the fourth round of the 2014 NFL draft. He played college football at Furman, where he was recognized as a unanimous All-American.

Early life

Dozier attended Brookland-Cayce High School in Cayce, South Carolina, where he played offensive tackle, defensive tackle, and defensive end. He earned all-region, all-area, and all-state honors, while serving as captain and was named team MVP. He also won a region individual wrestling championship in his senior year.

He was an unranked recruit by Rivals.com.[1]

College career

Dozier attended Furman University, where he was a member of the Furman Paladins football team from 2009 to 2013. During his career, he started 44 games, all at left tackle, and was named an All-Southern Conference (SoCon) selection for three consecutive seasons (second-team in 2011, first-team in 2012 and 2013). He was twice named an FCS All-American by the Associated Press, including being named a unanimous All-American in 2013, making him only the seventh unanimous All-American in school history.[2] [3]

Professional career

New York Jets

Dozier was selected by the New York Jets in the fourth round (137th overall) of the 2014 NFL draft.[4]

In 2017, Dozier played in 14 games, starting three at right guard in place of the injured Brian Winters.

On April 6, 2018, Dozier re-signed with the Jets.[5]

Minnesota Vikings

On April 4, 2019, Dozier signed with the Minnesota Vikings, being reunited with his 2018 position coach with the Jets, Rick Dennison.[6]

On March 30, 2020, Dozier re-signed with the Vikings.[7] He started all 16 games at left guard for the Vikings in 2020.

On March 30, 2021, Dozier re-signed with the Vikings.[8] He was released on August 31, 2021 and re-signed to the practice squad the next day.[9] [10] He was promoted to the active roster on December 21.[11]

Chicago Bears

On March 23, 2022, Dozier signed a one-year deal with the Chicago Bears.[12] On June 21, 2022, Dozier was placed on injured reserve a week after suffering an apparent left leg injury during a minicamp practice.[13]

External links

Notes and References

  1. https://sports.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/recruiting/player-Dakota-Dozier-78886 Dakota Dozier – Yahoo Sports
  2. Web site: AFCA Tabs Furman's Dozier To FCS All-America Squad . May 10, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160304062219/http://www.furmanpaladins.com/sports/m-footbl/2013-14/releases/20131223os4i91 . March 4, 2016 . dead .
  3. http://www.furmanpaladins.com/sports/m-footbl/2013-14/videos/20131225-hazk4o64 Furman's Dakota Dozier - Consensus All American - Part One
  4. Web site: 2014-05-10 . Jets Pick Dakota Dozier at 137 . 2024-01-08 . Gang Green Nation . en.
  5. Web site: OL Dakota Dozier Re-Signs with Jets. Allen, Eric. NewYorkJets.com. April 6, 2018.
  6. Web site: Vikings Add OL Dakota Dozier to Roster. Vikings.com. en-US. April 4, 2019.
  7. Web site: Guard Dakota Dozier Returning to Vikings. Smith, Eric. Vikings.com. March 28, 2020.
  8. Web site: Vikings Re-Sign Guard Dakota Dozier. Smith, Eric. Vikings.com. March 30, 2021.
  9. Web site: Vikings Announce Roster Moves to Get to Initial 53. Vikings.com. August 31, 2021.
  10. Web site: Vikings Claim TE Ben Ellefson & Sign 14 to Practice Squad. Peters, Craig. Vikings.com. September 1, 2021.
  11. Web site: Vikings Activate Westbrook from Reserve/COVID-19 List; Sign Dozier Off Practice Squad. Vikings.com. December 21, 2021.
  12. Web site: Roster Move: Bears sign OL Dakota Dozier. Mayer, Larry. ChicagoBears.com. March 23, 2022.
  13. Web site: Chicago Bears place Dakota Dozier on IR a week after practice injury. Cronin, Courtney. espn.com. June 21, 2022.