Aaron Schatz and Seth Walder of ESPN recently unveiled their “All Quarter Century team,” highlighting the best NFL players from 2000-24.

Clemson legend Brian Dawkins is one of four safeties that made the All Quarter Century squad, along with Ed Reed (Ravens, Texans, Jets), Troy Polamalu (Steelers) and Earl Thomas III (Seahawks, Ravens).

A former Clemson All-American and nine-time Pro Bowler, Dawkins was named to the 2018 NFL Hall of Fame Class, becoming the first former Clemson player to be named to the NFL Hall of Fame.

After being selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the second round (61st overall) of the 1996 NFL Draft, Dawkins played 16 NFL seasons from 1996-2011, including 13 with the Eagles (1996-08) and three with the Denver Broncos (2009-11). His No. 20 has been retired by the Eagles and he is a member of the franchise’s Hall of Fame.

In addition to his nine Pro Bowl selections, Dawkins was named to the NFL All-Rookie Team in 1996 and was an All-Pro selection in 2001, 2002, 2004, 2006 and 2009. The native of Jacksonville, Fla., was selected as a First Team member of the NFL All-Decade Team of the 2000s.

He finished his NFL career with more than 1,100 tackles, as well as 37 interceptions, 26 sacks, 36 forced fumbles and 19 fumble recoveries in 224 games (221 starts).

“Dawkins delivered some huge hits during his 12 seasons this quarter century, as evidenced by the fact that he forced the second-most fumbles among DBs in our span and finished with the third-most sacks,” ESPN’s Walder wrote. “When Dawkins was on the Eagles from 2000 to ’08, Philadelphia ranked third in EPA allowed per dropback on defense.”

Dawkins, who lettered at Clemson from 1992-95, was named a second-team All-American after his senior year, when he led the ACC in interceptions with six. He was named a second-team All-ACC defensive back in 1993 and 1994, then was a first-team selection as a senior in 1995.

Dawkins finished his Clemson career with 11 interceptions and four fumble recoveries, to go with 247 total tackles.

The Clemson football program gives the Brian Dawkins Lifetime Achievement Award each year in his honor.

–Clemson Athletic Communications contributed to this story