Rico Dowdle's Collegiate Career: A Foundation for NFL Success
Rico Sharod Dowdle Jr., born on June 14, 1998, is an American professional football running back and kickoff returner. Before his NFL career, Dowdle built a foundation through his college career. This article explores Dowdle's journey through college football, highlighting his achievements, challenges, and contributions to the South Carolina Gamecocks.
High School Success as a Quarterback
Before his college career, Dowdle attended A. C. Reynolds High School in Asheville, North Carolina, where he showcased his versatility as a senior. He transitioned from running back to quarterback, leading the team to an impressive 11-2 overall record and a perfect 6-0 in their conference. Dowdle amassed 247 carries for 2,545 yards and an impressive 51 rushing touchdowns. He also demonstrated his passing ability, throwing for 1,434 yards, 11 touchdowns, and only 4 interceptions. Adding to his remarkable season, he even had a 55-yard touchdown reception. His 63 total touchdowns set a WNC single-season record, foreshadowing his potential for success at the next level.
Joining the South Carolina Gamecocks
Dowdle committed to the South Carolina Gamecocks, beginning his college career with promise. He played all four collegiate seasons at South Carolina, starring for the Gamecocks from 2016-19.
Freshman Season: Overcoming Injury and Leading the Team
Dowdle's freshman year began with a setback as he underwent offseason surgery to recover from a sports hernia, forcing him to miss the first four contests. However, upon his return, he quickly made an impact, appearing in 9 games with 7 starts. He led the team with 133 carries for 764 yards, averaging an impressive 5.7 yards per carry, and scored 6 rushing touchdowns. He also contributed as a receiver, catching 15 passes for 55 yards and one receiving touchdown. A standout performance against the University of Missouri saw him rush for 149 yards and one touchdown on 27 carries, along with 3 receptions for 20 yards and one receiving touchdown.
Sophomore Season: Injury Derails Promising Start
Entering his sophomore year, Dowdle was named the starting running back, raising expectations for a productive season. He appeared in 8 games, starting in 4, and recorded 66 carries for 251 yards and 2 rushing touchdowns. He also added 11 receptions for 128 yards and one receiving touchdown. Unfortunately, his season was cut short when he broke his leg in the seventh game against the University of Tennessee, forcing him to miss the final five contests of the regular season. Much like his pro career, Dowdle was rarely the clear top dog in South Carolina’s backfield. However, the injury bug popped up again as a sophomore when Dowdle missed the final five games after breaking his leg vs. Tennessee.
Read also: Guide to Puerto Rico Colleges
Junior Season: Leading Rusher Despite Ankle Injury
As a junior, Dowdle appeared in 12 games, leading the team with 123 carries for 654 yards and 4 rushing touchdowns. He also contributed in the passing game with 14 receptions for 133 yards and one receiving touchdown. He suffered a left ankle injury on the first carry against the University of Mississippi and did not return and was limited in the next 2 contests. He had 20 carries for 112 yards and one touchdown against Vanderbilt University.
Senior Season: Platoon Role and Knee Injury
Dowdle's senior year presented new challenges, as he was limited in the offseason with a groin injury. He became part of a platoon at the running back position with Tavien Feaster. Despite the shared role, he rushed at nearly six yards per attempt during the first 6 contests of the season. However, a right knee injury against the University of Florida forced him to miss the next 2 contests.
Overall College Statistics and Legacy
Despite the injuries and shared roles, Dowdle made a significant impact on the South Carolina Gamecocks football program. He finished 15th on the school's all-time rushing list, totaling 2,167 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns in 39 games. Dowdle didn’t earn many accolades due to the timeshare he was in throughout his collegiate career.
Transition to the NFL
As a result of his injuries and inconsistent playing time, Dowdle slipped to undrafted free agency after he entered the 2020 NFL Draft.
Read also: Explore EDP University Programs
Read also: Explore UPR Mayagüez
tags: #Rico #Dowdle #college #career
