- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,264,808
- Reaction score
- 59
Georgia football’s offseason addition of Dante Dowdell from the transfer portal provided the Bulldogs an experienced running back to go along with Nate Frazier and Chauncey Bowens, the team’s top two rushers.
The Bulldogs are starting preseason practices Wednesday Aug. 5 with Dowdell away from the team and his availability for this season uncertain.
Dowdell sustained serious injuries in an ATV accident back home in Mississippi. Coach Kirby Smart said two weeks ago Dowdell was hospitalized at the Shephard Center in Atlanta.
The Shepherd Center specializes in treatment and rehabilitation for those with spinal cord and brain injuries and neuromuscular conditions.
"Dante's doing better," Smart said Wednesday. "He is not with us and don't have a timeline for him to be and don't know when that's going to happen. The most important thing for Dante right now is that he gets healthy himself and that he can do functions and do daily things day and day out. I'm not really worried about football now. It's not a high priority for him or us."
Dowdell’s absence should mean a more prominent role for junior Dwight Phillips, the 5-foot-10, 185-pound speedster from Pebblebrook High who rushed for 210 yards and a touchdown on 35 carries last season.
Phillips has worked to get bigger and stronger in the weight room which could mean he’s more equipped for more carries.
"Dwight has worked his tail off," Smart said. "He's one of the most explosive players we have on our offense. If we're going to be more explosive we got to get that when they touch the ball, big plays happen. ...He's got to touch the ball because he's one of our most explosive guys. Probably even moreso in practice than what you've seen in games. He's had a great offseason. He works really hard."
Dowdell has rushed for 1,264 yards in his career. He led Nebraska in rushing in 2024 when he tied for fifth in the Big Ten with 12 rushing touchdowns and was second in rushing last season for Kentucky.
Sophomore Bo Walker (100 yards and 3 touchdowns on 22 carries) and true freshman Jae Lamar from Colquitt County will also be counted on to be contributors at running back.
“Those other guys have to step up and be ready to play,” Smart said.
This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: Kirby Smart on Dante Dowdell recovery, year 3 of Dwight Phillips with Georgia football
Continue reading...
The Bulldogs are starting preseason practices Wednesday Aug. 5 with Dowdell away from the team and his availability for this season uncertain.
Dowdell sustained serious injuries in an ATV accident back home in Mississippi. Coach Kirby Smart said two weeks ago Dowdell was hospitalized at the Shephard Center in Atlanta.
The Shepherd Center specializes in treatment and rehabilitation for those with spinal cord and brain injuries and neuromuscular conditions.
"Dante's doing better," Smart said Wednesday. "He is not with us and don't have a timeline for him to be and don't know when that's going to happen. The most important thing for Dante right now is that he gets healthy himself and that he can do functions and do daily things day and day out. I'm not really worried about football now. It's not a high priority for him or us."
Dowdell’s absence should mean a more prominent role for junior Dwight Phillips, the 5-foot-10, 185-pound speedster from Pebblebrook High who rushed for 210 yards and a touchdown on 35 carries last season.
Phillips has worked to get bigger and stronger in the weight room which could mean he’s more equipped for more carries.
"Dwight has worked his tail off," Smart said. "He's one of the most explosive players we have on our offense. If we're going to be more explosive we got to get that when they touch the ball, big plays happen. ...He's got to touch the ball because he's one of our most explosive guys. Probably even moreso in practice than what you've seen in games. He's had a great offseason. He works really hard."
Dowdell has rushed for 1,264 yards in his career. He led Nebraska in rushing in 2024 when he tied for fifth in the Big Ten with 12 rushing touchdowns and was second in rushing last season for Kentucky.
Sophomore Bo Walker (100 yards and 3 touchdowns on 22 carries) and true freshman Jae Lamar from Colquitt County will also be counted on to be contributors at running back.
“Those other guys have to step up and be ready to play,” Smart said.
This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: Kirby Smart on Dante Dowdell recovery, year 3 of Dwight Phillips with Georgia football
Continue reading...
