Nebraska RB Dante Dowdell Transfers to Kentucky

Kentucky has added an important piece to the 2025 offense. Former Nebraska running back Dante Dowdell is transferring to Kentucky, according to On3’s Hayes Fawcett. He has two years of eligibility remaining.

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

Nebraska’s leading rusher in 2024 finished fourth in the Big Ten in rushing touchdowns with 12. He toted 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 slotted him in as the No. 139 overall player 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 getting back to a physical style of football. The Cats needed to be able to move the chains by running the football, even in obvious running situations. They brought Chip Trayanum to fill 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 Wilcox, the Cats might have a nice thunder-and-lightning combo out of the backfield.

Luckett’s Scouting Report

Dante Dowdell (6-2, 225) is a physical downhill runner who is at his best in an inside zone or gap-heavy run game. The tailback shows immediate acceleration once putting 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 great tackle breaker yet but shows good pad level and leg drive to move piles.

A true power back at this stage of his development that can help an offense upgrade its efficiency. Dowdell can grind out yards against heavy boxes and consistently gains what is blocked. The transfer is not an explosive play generator but can play a big role in extending drive and finishing possessions with points in the red zone.

Kentucky Football 2025 Transfer Portal Class

OG Josh Braun
OT Alex Wollschlaeger
OL Wallace Unamba
LB Landyn Watson
EDGE Sam Greene
WR J.J. Hester
QB Zach Calzada
TE Henry Boyer
WR Kendrick Law
RB Dante Dowdell

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