Dante Fowler Jr. thanks Florida fans with newspaper ad

Former Florida defensive end Dante Fowler Jr. thanked Gators fans by taking out an advertisement in Friday's edition of The Gainesville Sun.

Former Florida defensive end Dante Fowler Jr. thanked Gators fans by taking out an advertisement in Friday's edition of The Gainesville Sun.

Fowler indicated in November -- after former coach Will Muschamp was dismissed -- that he would leave school.

In 12 games this season, Fowler recorded 60 tackles, 15.0 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks while helping the Gators rank first in the SEC in yards per play allowed.

The 6-foot-3, 275-pounder is projected as a first-round pick in the upcoming draft.

• BECHT: 2015 NFL draft declaration winners, losers

Very cool from @TheDanteFowler6, thanking the #GatorNation with an ad in today's @GainesvilleSun @Gator_sports pic.twitter.com/G3RwAjHPtB

— Florida Gators Football (@GatorsFB) January 30, 2015