Dane Fletcher (2019) - Hall of Fame - Montana State University Athletics

Dane Fletcher

Induction:
2019
Class:
2009

Even as a kick teams specialist during his freshman season in 2006, Dane Fletcher made a habit of blowing up plays.
The redshirt freshman from Bozeman made 14 tackles, primarily in punt and kickoff coverage, during MSU’s run to the 2006 FCS Playoffs. He also broke up a pass against Furman in Montana State’s first playoff victory in 22 years.

From that point on, Fletcher’s dominance was breathtaking. His emergence as a starting defensive lineman coincided with a coaching staff change, and he caught the attention of new defensive line coach Bo Beck. “His work ethic was unmatched,” Beck said. “He was driven to be the best.” Fletcher logged 10 tackles-for-loss in 2007 as a sophomore, two in his first career start at Texas A&M, leading the Big Sky in that category despite missing a game. Four of his season-high 11 tackles against Northern Arizona came behind the line of scrimmage, and he blocked a Dixie State kick, the first of five in his career. He logged a sack-and-a-half against Northern Colorado.

Fletcher’s junior season was even better. His 10 tackles-for-loss included two-and-a-half against South Dakota, Kansas State, and Northern Colorado. He broke up three passes and forced a fumble against South Dakota, and had six tackles in his first three games that season. In the team’s 10^th game, Fletcher’s play was as thoroughly dominating as it is to imagine. Through three quarters his six tackles included four behind the line of scrimmage, and one sack. He forced a fumble, and recovered another one. He blocked a quick kick in the NAU end zone for a safety, and also blocked a field goal. Then, at the end of the third quarter, Fletcher suffered an injury that ended his season.

As if to prove his junior season was no fluke, he returned with a vengeance as a senior. His 17 tackles-for-loss was the most in the Big Sky and second-most in the FCS in spite of playing only nine games, and he finished third in sacks with 6.5. He also blocked two kicks. Fletcher became Montana State’s third Big Sky Defensive MVP of the decade, and earned First Team All-America honors.

Fletcher’s legacy looms large over the Bobcat program. A born-and-raised Bobcat, he remains among the program’s top five in tackles-for-loss, and as an undrafted free agent he became part of the New England Patriots dynasty as a linebacker and special teams performer from 2010-13, playing in Super Bowl XLVI after the 2011 season. He played for Tampa Bay in 2014, but retired after an injury relegated him to the sidelines throughout the 2015 season. He operates a successful training facility, The Pitt, in Bozeman.