Texas Football: 5 biggest recruiting busts of the Charlie Strong era

Erick Fowler, DE

Recruiting Class: 2016 (No. 73 in 247Sports Composite)

The biggest disappointment among the Strong-era signees for the Longhorns in the 2016 class was the former high-four-star Manor (TX) weak-side defensive end recruit Erick Fowler. The bendy and super-quick 6-foot-2 and 210-pound Fowler was a big get for the Longhorns in the 2016 class, as Strong and Texas flipped his commitment from the LSU Tigers on National Signing Day.

Coming out of high school, Fowler looked the part of an uber-gifted defensive end/edge rusher that had NFL-caliber quickness and closing speed.

Fowler did get his shot to contribute along the Texas defensive front right away as a true freshman during the 2016 season. He took nearly three-dozen defensive snaps over the course of six games during his true freshman campaign in 2016. Fowler also held down a regular spot with the special teams unit that same season.

Yet, Fowler ultimately didn’t stick around with the Longhorns after Strong was fired in 2016. Fowler decided to transfer to FCS Sam Houston State in 2017, where he would play three seasons with the Bearkats.

Fowler was able to find more success as a regular contributor for Sam Houston State’s defense in 2017 and 2018. He got off to a productive start at Sam Houston, registering five tackles for loss, one sack, and nearly 30 combined tackles in 2017.

The 2018 season saw the best of Fowler in college, though. He had a career year as a junior in 2018, registering a career-high 40 combined tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss, five sacks, two pass breakups, and two fumble recoveries.

Fowler played sparingly during the 2019 season, registering just one pass breakup and no recorded tackles over the course of two games played. And early in 2020, it was reported that Fowler and fellow former Longhorn Toneil Carter were no longer on Sam Houston State’s roster.