Keyunta Dawson
No headshot available
Career Summary
Keyunta Durell Dawson was a Shreveport, Louisiana, defensive lineman who played 71 NFL regular-season games from 2007 through 2013.
Dawson was a seventh-round Colts selection from Texas Tech in 2007. NFL statistics record four Indianapolis seasons, time with Detroit, Tennessee and New Orleans, and 71 career regular-season games.
Section reviewed
Early Life
Dawson was born September 13, 1985, in Shreveport, Louisiana.
The Titans’ 2013 media guide identifies Dawson’s birthplace as Shreveport and gives his full name as Keyunta Durell Dawson.
Section reviewed
Sources for this section
High School
At Evangel Christian High School in Shreveport, Dawson helped his team win two state championships.
Tennessee’s media guide reported that Dawson recorded 78 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, a sack and two forced fumbles as a senior at Evangel Christian.
Section reviewed
Sources for this section
College Career
Dawson was a two-year starter at Texas Tech who compiled 164 tackles, 25.5 tackles for loss and 19.5 sacks.
The Titans listed Dawson as a second-team All-Big 12 choice in 2005. As a 2006 senior, he started all 13 games and recorded 63 tackles, six sacks, 9.5 tackles for loss, 11 quarterback hurries, two forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries.
Section reviewed
Sources for this section
Path to the NFL
Indianapolis selected Dawson in the seventh round of the 2007 NFL Draft.
Colts draft materials identify Dawson as a 2007 seventh-round pick from Texas Tech. He entered the NFL as a defensive end before moving inside to defensive tackle during his rookie training camp.
Section reviewed
NFL Career
Dawson played 58 regular-season games for Indianapolis before later stops with Detroit, Tennessee and New Orleans.
In 2008, Dawson started all 14 games for the Colts at defensive tackle and totaled 42 tackles. Tennessee acquired him as a free agent in 2012; he played three games that year before going on injured reserve and re-signed in 2013.
Section reviewed
Career Accomplishments
Dawson appeared in Super Bowl XLIV with the Colts and made 20 career regular-season starts.
The Titans’ 2013 media guide credits Dawson with a tackle in Super Bowl XLIV against New Orleans. It also records that he started 14 games in 2008 and played all 16 games for Indianapolis in both his rookie season and 2010.
Section reviewed
Sources for this section
Playing Style
Coaches valued Dawson as an energetic, position-flexible defensive lineman and special-teams contributor.
Colts coach Jim Caldwell called Dawson an all-out football player in every snap and drill. Indianapolis moved him from defensive tackle back to defensive end in 2009, seeking more pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
Section reviewed
Sources for this section
Legacy
Dawson turned a seventh-round selection into a seven-season NFL career that included a Super Bowl appearance.
His career spanned 71 regular-season games and included 20 starts, most notably a 14-start 2008 season for Indianapolis.
Section reviewed
21766, 00-0025629, 1985-09-13, Keyunta Dawson, Keyunta, Dawson
MFT PLAYER RANKINGS
Current player ranking
Compare current players by position using the transparent MFT statistical model.