WVU Sports Hall of Fame
Dennis Fowlkes
- Induction:
- 2026
- Class:
- 1982
Dennis Fowlkes was one of WVU’s top tacklers as an inside linebacker during his football career from 1979-82.
Playing for Hall of Fame coaches Don Nehlen and Frank Cignetti Sr., and recruited to WVU by Nick Saban, Fowlkes helped lead WVU to 29 victories, including nine wins in each of his last two seasons. Fowlkes played in two bowl games: a win in the 1981 Peach Bowl over Florida, recording seven tackles and two tackles for loss and had eight tackles in the 1982 Gator Bowl against Florida State.
The native of Columbus, Ohio, finished his career with 459 tackles with 286 of those unassisted. Fowlkes ranks second in school history in solo tackles and third in school history in tackles. He finished with 18 tackles for loss, nine sacks and seven interceptions.
One of Fowlkes’ top games was against Virginia Tech in 1980, recording 16 solo tackles, one shy of the school record. He had two sacks against Syracuse in 1982 and recorded 20 tackles in games against Rutgers and Pitt.
Fowlkes combined with All-American Darryl Talley to rank as one of the top linebacker duos in school history. It was Fowlkes’ outstanding playing in the middle that allowed West Virginia to utilize Talley on the outside in unique ways during that time period.
His freshman contributions included two interceptions and two fumble recoveries. Against Pitt, he tallied a season-high 10 tackles and an interception, while he made seven tackles, two tackles for loss and an interception against Virginia Tech. Fowlkes played his freshman season under Cignetti.
As a sophomore in 1980, Fowlkes transitioned into a full-time starting role under first-year head coach Don Nehlen. He recorded a career-high 150 total tackles, along with five tackles for loss and three interceptions.
Fowlkes tallied 120 tackles as a junior with five tackles for loss and three sacks, helping the Mountaineers achieve a 9-3 record and a Peach Bowl win. Fowlkes’ run defense played a key role in limiting Florida to less than 100 rushing yards.
Fowlkes capped his senior year in 1982 with another strong campaign, recording 132 total tackles, six tackles for loss, four sacks and two interceptions. He helped WVU to another nine-win season.
Fowlkes is a two-time member of the All-East Team and a member of WVU’s all-time team of the 1980s.
Fowlkes played four seasons in the NFL, three with the Minnesota Vikings from 1983-85 and one with the Miami Dolphins in 1987. He played in 43 games with 11 starts during his NFL career. Fowlkes forced four fumbles during the 1985 season with Minnesota.
Fowlkes recently retired and lives in Columbus with his wife of 37 years, Janice. He has two sons, Marcus Allen (Kim) and Trey Fowlkes, and three grandchildren, Kimora, Layla and Marcus II.
Playing for Hall of Fame coaches Don Nehlen and Frank Cignetti Sr., and recruited to WVU by Nick Saban, Fowlkes helped lead WVU to 29 victories, including nine wins in each of his last two seasons. Fowlkes played in two bowl games: a win in the 1981 Peach Bowl over Florida, recording seven tackles and two tackles for loss and had eight tackles in the 1982 Gator Bowl against Florida State.
The native of Columbus, Ohio, finished his career with 459 tackles with 286 of those unassisted. Fowlkes ranks second in school history in solo tackles and third in school history in tackles. He finished with 18 tackles for loss, nine sacks and seven interceptions.
One of Fowlkes’ top games was against Virginia Tech in 1980, recording 16 solo tackles, one shy of the school record. He had two sacks against Syracuse in 1982 and recorded 20 tackles in games against Rutgers and Pitt.
Fowlkes combined with All-American Darryl Talley to rank as one of the top linebacker duos in school history. It was Fowlkes’ outstanding playing in the middle that allowed West Virginia to utilize Talley on the outside in unique ways during that time period.
His freshman contributions included two interceptions and two fumble recoveries. Against Pitt, he tallied a season-high 10 tackles and an interception, while he made seven tackles, two tackles for loss and an interception against Virginia Tech. Fowlkes played his freshman season under Cignetti.
As a sophomore in 1980, Fowlkes transitioned into a full-time starting role under first-year head coach Don Nehlen. He recorded a career-high 150 total tackles, along with five tackles for loss and three interceptions.
Fowlkes tallied 120 tackles as a junior with five tackles for loss and three sacks, helping the Mountaineers achieve a 9-3 record and a Peach Bowl win. Fowlkes’ run defense played a key role in limiting Florida to less than 100 rushing yards.
Fowlkes capped his senior year in 1982 with another strong campaign, recording 132 total tackles, six tackles for loss, four sacks and two interceptions. He helped WVU to another nine-win season.
Fowlkes is a two-time member of the All-East Team and a member of WVU’s all-time team of the 1980s.
Fowlkes played four seasons in the NFL, three with the Minnesota Vikings from 1983-85 and one with the Miami Dolphins in 1987. He played in 43 games with 11 starts during his NFL career. Fowlkes forced four fumbles during the 1985 season with Minnesota.
Fowlkes recently retired and lives in Columbus with his wife of 37 years, Janice. He has two sons, Marcus Allen (Kim) and Trey Fowlkes, and three grandchildren, Kimora, Layla and Marcus II.
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