USC missed on one of their top running back prospects recently when Benjamin Hall of Suwanee, GA committed to Michigan. So, the work continues for running backs coach Montario Hardesty on other possibilities for the 2023 class. One of those is Dante Dowdell (6-2 215) of Picayune, MS. Hardesty and area recruiter Jody Wright offered him the middle of last month, and they are trying to get a visit scheduled with him.
“It was a nice offer. I know the history and I know it’s a good team and a good program,” Dowdell said. “I know they’ve had some good backs come through there. They want me to come down there to visit, but there’s a lot of schools that want me to visit. They like that I’m a big physical back, and they want a big back.”
Dowdell said the history of running backs in a program is kind of important to him, and he thinks USC has had a good run of backs in recent years.
“I’ve actually looked at some of the backs that have come through there before I got the offer,” Dowdell said. “It feels good to get offers from schools that I’ve watched players come through there. I’ve been a fan of players coming through certain schools, and to actually to be able to get offers from those schools feels good.”
Dowdell has visited Ole Miss, Oregon, Georgia Tech and Florida State. He’s looking at Arkansas and Cincinnati for visits but has not scheduled either. Some of his other offers are Tennessee, Louisville, Temple and Minnesota.
Last season Dowdell rushed for 2554 yards and 28 touchdowns.
