Rico Dowdle

BIOGRAPHY

Rico Dowdle was born June 14, 1998, in Asheville, North Carolina. He is a running back in the NFL. 

In his career at South Carolina, Dowdle racked up 2,167 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns in 39 games. He compiled eight 100-yard rushing games, including a career-best 226-yard game against Western Carolina. Dowdle played in the 2020 East-West Shrine Bowl, rushing for fifty yards. 

On April 26, 2020, Rico Dowdle signed as an undrafted free agent with the Dallas Cowboys. Dowdle was one of ten rookies to make the Cowboys final 2020 roster and is the third-string running back behind Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard.

Dowdle attended A.C. Reynolds High School. As a senior, he was switched from running back to quarterback, leading the team to an 11-2 overall record and 6-0 in the conference. He had 247 carries for 2,545 yards and 51 rushing touchdowns. He also passed for 1,434 yards, 11 touchdowns, 4 interceptions and had a 55-yard touchdown reception. His 63 total touchdowns was a WNC single-season record. He received All-WNC Player of the Year, Parade All-American and All-state honors.

He was a three star recruit coming out of high school and committed to play football at the University of South Carolina, turning down offers from Boston College and North Carolina State.

Dowdle was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Dallas Cowboys after the 2020 NFL Draft on April 27. He was one of ten rookies to make the Cowboys final roster, as the third string running back behind Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard.