National Football Foundation

A three-year starter at defensive back for Mississippi State, Frank Dowsing Jr. was a two-time First Team All-SEC selection and the team leader in punt return yards in 1971 and 1972. A First Team All-American, he holds the school record for career punt return yards per attempt (15.2). Dowsing is second in program history in punt return yards per attempt in a season (18.6) after returning 14 punts for 260 yards in 1971, highlighted by an 88-yard return against Alabama. He also recorded 10 career interceptions and led the team with three in 1971. Dowsing participated in the Blue-Gray Classic and the Hula Bowl following his senior season.

A First Team Academic All-America and three-time Academic All-SEC selection, he compiled a 3.2 GPA as a pre-med student. He was a President’s Scholar and a member of the Dean’s List every semester. Dowsing served as vice president of ODK and president of the Delta Pre-Medical Society, and was a member of Blue Key, the M Club and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He was one of five students who represented the 4-H Club in a report to the nation in 1970 and served on President Nixon’s Draft Council. Dowsing was elected Mr. Mississippi State by his peers.

Dowsing was drafted in the 16^th round (391^st overall) by the Philadelphia Eagles. Before illness forced his retirement, he was a district manager with AT&T in California. He enrolled in Memphis Theological Seminary in 1993 shortly before his death the following year. Dowsing was posthumously inducted into the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame in 2010.