Oregon Football Signee Spotlight: RB Dante Dowdell

Dante Dowdell is the second running back from SEC country that Carlos Locklyn has brought to Eugene.

The Oregon Ducks have a strong tradition of having some of the best running backs in college football.

Last year Bucky Irving and Noah Whittington starred as a 1-2 punch that few teams in the Pac-12 had any answer for. They're both back in 2023, along with Jordan James who flashed as a true freshman. 

Today we're talking about 2023 Oregon running back signee Dante Dowdell, one of two running backs Carlos Locklyn signed this past cycle along with Jayden Limar, who are both enrolled at the University of Oregon.

SIGNEE SPOTLIGHT: All-American DL Johnny Bowens III

Vitals

-Height: 6'2"

-Weight: 210 pounds

-Hometown: Picayune, Mississippi 

-High School: Picayune Memorial High School

-Distinction: U.S. Army All-American Bowl Selection, Alabama-Mississippi All-Star, Mississippi Class 5A Mr. Football 

-Two-time state champion (2021, 2022)

-Two-time state championship game MVP (2021, 2022)

Picayune running back Dante Dowdell (2) leaps through West Point defenders during the fourth quarter of the Mississippi Class 5A football championships :: © Dominic Gwinn / Hattiesburg American / USA TODAY NETWORK / USA TODAY NETWORK

Evaluation

The first trait that stands out on Dowdell's film is his physicality. He's difficult to tackle, often plowing through defenders or shucking off would-be tacklers with a vicious stiff arm. 

His elusiveness doesn't end there though as he also displays athleticism with fairly routine hurdles, getting all 210 pounds of his 6-2 frame airborne with ease. Dowdell doesn't consistently rely on spins or jukes from side to side, but that doesn't mean he's without some wiggle in his game.

He was the bell-cow back for Picayune, only recording less than 10 carries twice his senior season. He finished the year with 2,165 rushing yards on 257 carries, averaging 8.42 yards per carry and 166.5 yards per game. Keep in mind that was all without playing the second half in a majority of his games.

Dowdell is a bruiser in the backfield, excelling on toss and inside run plays. His style has him planting his foot in the dirt for a decisive cut, then it's off to the races. He has breakaway speed that's easy to see in his senior tape and he'll work to refine his skills in the passing game as he develops at Oregon. 

He's perhaps at his best when it matters most, rushing for a combine 1,491 yards and 21 touchdowns, averaging 186.4 yards per game in the playoffs his last two seasons.

READ MORE: Adrian Klemm's replacement has big shoes to fill at Oregon

Picayune running back Dante Dowdell (2) jumps through West Point's Chris Chandler (14) and into the end zone for a touchdown during the first quarter of the MHSAA Class 5A football championship game :: © Dominic Gwinn / Hattiesburg American / USA TODAY NETWORK

The recruitment, how it happened

Aside from Irving and Whittington, Dowdell was a top priority for Carlos Locklyn once he got hired at Oregon. Dowdell was pretty well-traveled as a recruit, taking trips to see Oregon, Mississippi, Mississippi State, Arkansas and Florida State among others.

This recruitment took a ton of work and proves that Locklyn is one of the best recruiters on Oregon's staff, as the Ducks pulled the top running back in Mississippi out of the clutches of two in-state SEC programs.

The Ducks prioritized getting him on campus and seeing him out in his home state numerous times, which helped them earn his commitment back in May. Other big program s like Penn State, Mississippi State and Texas A&M tried to get in the mix with offers late, but Dowdell stayed locked in with Oregon and enrolled early last month.

Picayune running back Dante Dowdell (2) poses with the MVP award after winning the MHSAA Class 5A football championship game against West Point.  :: © Dominic Gwinn / Hattiesburg American / USA TODAY NETWORK

Outlook at Oregon

It's an understatement to say Dowdell is joining a loaded running back room. Irving and Whittington project to be the main two backs again in 2023, with Jordan James perhaps taking on a bit of a larger role after being featured as a short-yardage and goal line back as a true freshman.

If Oregon can blow some teams out or pull away early that could help Dowdell get some early snaps. Either way I see him as a player that will definitely see action in at least four games before a decision is made on a redshirt. I wouldn't anticipate seeing him as a regular contributor in 2023 but he projects to be a future starter in Oregons backfield at some point in his college career.

READ MORE: Who could Oregon pursue as their next offensive line coach?

Picayune running back Dante Dowdell is a member of the 2022 Dandy Dozen, recognizing some of the best recruits in the state of Mississippi :: © Barbara Gauntt/Clarion Ledger / USA TODAY NETWORK

Rankings rundown

247 Composite rating: 4-star (0.9426)

247 Composite ranking: No. 134 Natl., No. 6 RB, No. 3 in MS

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Rivals rating: 4-star (5.9)

Rivals ranking: No. 109 Natl., No. 6 RB, No. 4 in MS

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On3 Consensus rating: 4-star (93.36)

On3 Consensus ranking: No. 139 Natl., No. 8 RB, No. 3 in MS

CLASS IMPACT: Oregon beats USC for All-American CB Rodrick Pleasant

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