Dowling Taken by Patriots in Second Round of NFL Draft

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Charlottesville, VA – Virginia cornerback Ras-I Dowling (Cheaspeake, Va.) was selected by the New England Patriots in the second round of the 2011 National Football League Draft. He was the 33rd overall selection, the first pick of the second round.

Dowling becomes the highest drafted defensive back in Virginia history. A year ago Chris Cook had that honor when he was selected 34th overall by the Minnesota Vikings.

Dowling entered his final season at UVa on three national award watch lists that are handed out by the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA). He was on the Chuck Bednarik Award, Nagurski Trophy and Thorpe Award Watch Lists. He was also a finalist for the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award.

Dowling was injured most of 2010 after earning his second-straight second team All-ACC nod, anchoring the ACC’s No. 4 and the nation’s No. 21 pass defense in 2009. Dowling finished the 2009 season ranked No. 6 in the ACC in passes defended (11) and No. 11 in interceptions (three). Entering 2010 he was a College Football Insider preseason All-American (second team).

He appeared in five games in 2010 and made 15 tackles, including a season-best eight against Florida State.