Nebraska RB Dante Dowdell transfers to Kentucky

Kentucky has added a key piece to the 2025 offense. Former Nebraska running back Dante Dowdell is moving to Kentucky, according to On3’s Hayes Fawcett. He has two years of eligibility left.

Dowdell looked like a Mark Stoops running back during his second season in Lincoln. Dowdell converted 24-of-27 (88.9%) third-and-short runs into first downs. He gets tough yards, something the Cats couldn’t find on third down (33.8%, last in SEC) or in the red zone (52.9 touchdown percentage, 15th in SEC) in 2024.

Nebraska’s leading rusher in 2024 finished fourth in the Big Ten in rushing touchdowns with 12. He hit the rock 143 times for 614 yards for a unit that ranked in the Top 30 nationally in rushing success rate.

Dowdell was a Blue Chip prospect in the class of 2023. The On3 Industry Ranking ranked him the No. 139 overall prospect and the eighth-ranked running back. The Mississippi native initially signed to play at Oregon, but the Ducks’ crowded running back room forced him to seek greener pastures elsewhere via the transfer portal.

One of Mark Stoops’ biggest talking points ahead of the 2024 season was returning to a physical style of football. The Cats needed to be able to move the chains by running the football, even in obvious run situations. They brought Chip Trayanum filling that role and injuries prevented us from ever seeing him take meaningful snaps. Dowdell fills a similar role, albeit with significantly more production. Paired with Jamarion Wilcoxcan the cats have a good thunder-and-lightning combination out of the backfield.

Luckett’s scouting report

Dante Dowdell (6-2, 225) is a physical rusher who is best in an inside zone or gap-heavy running game. The back shows instant acceleration as he plants his foot in the dirt and explodes through the hole. Is a contact seeker in open space with not much wiggle or change of direction shown once past the first line of defense. Despite his hard running style, Dowdell is not a big tackle-breaker yet, but shows good pad level and leg drive to move posts.

A true power back at this stage of his development that can help an offense upgrade its effectiveness. Dowdell can grind out yards against heavy boxes and consistently wins what is blocked. The carry isn’t an explosive play generator, but can play a big role in extending drives and ending possessions with points in the red zone.

AND Josh Braun
OT Alex Wollschlaeger
OL Wallace Unamba
LB Landyn Watson
EDGE Sam Greene
WR JJ Horses
QB Zach Calzada
TE Henry Boyer
WR Kendrick Law
RB Dante Dowdell

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