ST. PETERSBURG — Dante Fowler Jr. could be considered either one of high school football’s biggest question marks or one of its boldest exclamation points.
At 6-foot-3, 232 pounds, Fowler carries the title of the nation’s No. 1 defensive end recruit, according to Rivals.com.
Beneath the evasive façade and tough bravado, though, is just an 18-year-old with a soft voice and a wide-toothed smile — and an easily ignited temper.
After an on-field dispute last season, Fowler was ejected from a game and served a one-game suspension from the Florida High School Athletic Association.
Then, in early September, according to the St. Petersburg Times, a growing tension between Fowler and his coaches at St. Petersburg Lakewood High was detonated by one maverick play.
Fowler, frustrated by being double teamed in Lakewood’s season opener against Seminole High, went rogue and recorded a sack despite orders from his coaches to remain inside. Then came a four-week suspension from coach Cory Moore.
Against St. Petersburg High on Friday night, Fowler also got into trouble, beginning with a late hit in the first quarter, after which he taunted the offensive lineman he had pushed around.
He was also involved in a dispute involving a few players from both teams on the St. Petersburg sideline after a player was pushed out of bounds.
“Yeah, I get out of line a lot,” Fowler said, “but I’m going to have to practice on that in college.”
Coupled with his on-field aggression is a senior season in which Fowler has failed to meet expectations and his own goals.
Before the season, Fowler had set a goal of 25 sacks. Instead, he watched his team go 5-0 from afar before rejoining the squad that has now ended its season on a 1-4 note.
Fowler ripped off his helmet nearly every time his cleats crossed the Lakewood sideline Friday night, often throwing it to the ground in irritation.
For a defensive lineman heralded for his pass-rushing ability and knack for disrupting offenses, Fowler seemed to consistently be the farthest Lakewood defender from the ball.
He recorded just one and a half tackles before halftime and capped the 37-14 loss with five tackles and two assisted tackles. He was also pulled out for a few fourth-quarter plays and later reinstated at tackle.
“It’s a tough loss,” Fowler said.
“The whole season, teams have been scheming against me … but I’m glad I made it through my senior season, all four years with not like a real bad injury.
“I’m ready to take it to the next level.”
He has been a soft oral commit to FSU since last December.
After stating he would keep everyone guessing until National Signing Day on Feb. 1, he retracted comments about taking official visits to UF, Southern California, LSU and Clemson during a trip to Tallahassee last weekend.
Fowler was originally scheduled to take an unofficial visit to Florida during the Vanderbilt game two weeks ago before making an official visit in January.
It is unclear whether he still plans to attend UF’s game against FSU on Nov. 26.
Oral commitments are non-binding until a national letter of intent is signed on or after National Signing Day on Feb. 1, 2012.
