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Kentucky football did not have a 2024 season to remember. With no bowl game to prepare for, the Wildcats are now shifting all focus to the transfer portal, hoping to improve the roster for 2025.
On Friday night, the Wildcats successfully landed former Nebraska running back Dante Dowdell. Dowdell rushed for 614 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2024, leading the Huskers in both categories.
Dowdell started his college career at Oregon before transferring to Nebraska for the 2024 season. As a Duck, Dowdell ran for 90 yards and 1 TD. As a Husker, Dowdell split carries with Emmett Johnson but found himself behind Johnson on the depth chart late in the season. Now, Dowdell will head to his 3rd school in 3 years.
The Wildcats could use the reinforcements at RB. Chip Trayanum, who battled injuries all season, entered the portal. Demie Sumo-Karngbaye, who was 2nd on the team in rushing, is out of eligibility. Dowdell will seemingly battle it out with Jamarion Wilcox, who led the Wildcats with 590 yards in 2024.
Before beginning his college career, Dowdell starred for Picayune Memorial High School in Picayune, MS. Dowdell was rated as a 4-star prospect and the 247Sports Composite ranking had the RB as the No. 6 RB and the No. 3 player out of Mississippi in the 2023 class.
Dowdell is a big get for a Kentucky team that needs to improve on offense. The team has seen 22 players enter the portal so far, with that group headlined by wide receivers Barion Brown and Dane Key.
Bryce Lazenby covers college football for Saturday Down South. A Nashville native, his previous stops include FanSided, Dimers, and The Leaf-Chronicle.
