Titans Surprise With Selection Of UT Martin Reciever

Wide receiver Colton Dowell was the final selection of the Tennessee Titans in the 2023 NFL Draft, and most fans have never heard of him.

Caitie McMekin/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK

NASHVILLE - The Tennessee Titans concluded their 2023 NFL Draft by selecting a local product, UT Martin receiver Colton Dowell, born and raised in Lebanon, Tn.

An unknown for most fans and the media, Dowell had an impressive final season for the Skyhawks by producing 67 receptions for 1,032 yards and 15 touchdowns.  

Dowell has excellent size, standing 6-foot-3 and 215 pounds, and an impressive athletic profile, including a 4.40 forty, a 41" vertical, an 11'1" broad jump, and 23 reps of 225 pounds on the bench press. He concluded his college career as the all-time leading yardage receiver in school history.    

Dowell is older (24), having spent five years with the Skyhawks because of an extra COVID year granted by the NCAA.    

When speaking with the media shortly after being drafted, Dowell was asked if he felt the Titans might be interested in adding him to their team. 

"I've got a couple of coaches that coached at UT Martin that are now with the Titans, and I knew they had interest, but being drafted by them is a dream come true," said Dowell. "But I didn't know that was going to happen."  

Dowell attended the Titans local pro day during the predraft process and spoke on that opportunity.

Colton Dowell / Photo Courtesy: Tommy Bryan, Wilson Post

"I did have a local day. It was cool to see the practice facility on the inside, me and my dad," said Dowell. "We always try to get up there in the summer whenever they're going through training camp. But it was really cool to see the inside, and while I was there, I envisioned myself playing there and wearing that two-tone blue."  

  Along with the Titans, Dowell shared that he had multiple Zoom calls with Arizona and New England while taking a top 30 visit to Chicago.

Not a sexy selection, or even a well-known one, Dowell checks all the boxes you might want in a receiver, with size, speed, and an above-average athletic profile. He will now get the chance to live his dream and earn his spot on this roster when the Titans conduct their rookie minicamp May 13-15 at St. Thomas Sports Park.  

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