With 214 tackles after his first two seasons from the outside linebacker position, Ryan Fowler's move to the more aggressive middle linebacker slot leaves him poised to become a name on everyone's short list of great defensive players in the country.
"I think he should be a candidate for the Butkus award without any question," said linebackers and special teams coach Denny Creechen. "He's had no problem adjusting [to the middle linebacker position] whatsoever. In fact, he looks better than he ever has."
Although never obtaining team success, Fowler has been a standout since his freshman year in 2000. Starting the final seven games of that season, he led Duke and finished second in the ACC among freshmen in tackles with 87. Fowler became just the second freshman to ever lead the team in tackles, joining Erwin Sampson, who accomplished the feat in 1988.
These statistical accomplishments led to the honor of being named as a Sporting News third-team Freshman All-American.
After his remarkable 2000 campaign, he seemed poised to be showered with accolades and attention his sophomore year.
Fowler played brilliantly his sophomore year, nabbing a team-leading 127 tackles, the only Blue Devil to lead his team in tackles in his first two years.
He was named ACC defensive player of the week after making 17 stops and compiling an interception against Georgia Tech.
But that was the only honor he received.
"To tell you the truth, I was little disappointed that I wasn't as recognized as I thought I'd be," he said. "I realized that was selfish of me, so after that I decided that's not as important to me."
Duke's inability to win a single game was undoubtedly a big reason why Fowler went largely unheralded during his sophomore season. Fowler is not bittered by this fact, and hopes that Duke will follow the same path as his high school team.
Fowler's Seminole High School in Redington Shores, Fla., went 2-8 his freshman year before going 8-2 his senior season and reaching the state playoffs for the first time in 27 years.
"This is my third year saying this," Fowler said. "I honestly believe we'll do the same thing my high school did, and that's turn it around."
Fowler's coaches feel if the team plays better this season, Fowler will get more attention.
"We don't ever set a personal goal that supercedes team goals," head coach Carl Franks said. "If we can come close to meeting our team goals, then he'll have a great chance for personal accolades for the year."
Directly in line with his coach, Fowler feels that productive play is contagious, and he wants to infect his teammates with the same aggression that drives him to success.
"A lot of times guys play to the level of the people around them," Fowler said. "I know that I have. That goes along with attitude also. When guys are more aggressive, guys are more positive. Guys see people playing better, and they want to play better, and they see how to play better."
Fowler, team goal in sight, will certainly not eschew any special recognition.
"I would absolutely love it," Fowler said. "I feel confident in my ability to be recognized nationally."
Yet given all of the success that he has already experienced, along with the presumed accolades to come, Fowler has not let it get to his head, remaining very personable.
"He's a great player, he's a great kid, and he's great to coach," Creechen said.
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