Rico Dowdle: The Panthers’ Running Back Explosion That Surprises the NFL, But Not His Hometown
Asheville, North Carolina, a little over two hours from Bank of America Stadium, is a mountainous city where people used to gather on Friday nights to watch Rico Dowdle work wonders on the American football field. Now, there is no surprise at what the Carolina Panthers running back has achieved in the last two weeks. What does generate amazement is that it took more than five seasons in the NFL for the rest of the world to see what they saw weekly almost a decade ago.
“That everyone in the NFL is making a big deal out of this really surprises us,” said Shane Laws, coach of A.C. Reynolds High School, where Dowdle shined.
Shane Laws, coach of A.C. Reynolds High School
Dowdle, for his part, attributes the surprise outside of North Carolina to the stigmatization of being a non-recruited player. “It was a matter of waiting my turn and making the most of the opportunities,” he commented. And he seems to have done well.
In the last two games, Dowdle has rushed for 389 yards, just 17 yards short of becoming the fifth player in NFL history to rush for 200 or more yards in consecutive games. His arrival at the Panthers came after being a free agent, after the Dallas Cowboys chose to sign Javonte Williams. Dowdle took the opportunity to start in the last two games due to an injury to Chuba Hubbard.Before excelling in the last two games, Dowdle had accumulated 83 yards in four games. In the two most recent games, he added 473 total yards, breaking the team record previously held by Christian McCaffrey. This makes him the seventh NFL player since 1963 to have at least 230 total yards in consecutive games. He was awarded NFC Offensive Player of the Week in Week 5 and probably relegated Hubbard, who is already recovered, to a backup role for the next game against the New York Jets.
Coach Dave Canales, without revealing details about how the running backs will be used, has made it clear that Dowdle has earned an important place on the team. Shane Laws, his former coach, believes that having Dowdle on the field would benefit quarterback Bryce Young.
Dowdle, in his senior year of high school, played quarterback, where he ran for 2,545 yards and 51 touchdowns, in addition to throwing for 1,434 yards and 11 touchdowns. His combined 63 touchdowns set a record in Western North Carolina.
For those who know him, the “violence” with which Dowdle runs is one of his most outstanding characteristics. Bobby Bentley, former running backs coach at South Carolina, recalls a 20-yard touchdown against Missouri as an example of his ability to outmaneuver defenders.Thomas Brown, Patriots passing game coordinator and Dowdle’s coach in his final year at South Carolina, agrees that Dowdle runs with attitude, a key quality for a running back. In addition, his strength and power stand out, attributes that allow him to gain yards even when there is no blocking.
Outside the field, Dowdle is described as “humble” and “sweet”, especially by the relationship he has with his fiancée and his daughters. However, he also has a bold side, as he demonstrated by challenging the Cowboys. His high school coach remembers that Dowdle felt upset for not being rehired by the Cowboys, which motivated him even more.
Dowdle had an impressive performance, with 239 total yards, surpassing McCaffrey’s single-game record. Brown points out that frustration at not being valued in Dallas and personal motivation combined to boost his current performance.D.J. Wonnum, Dowdle’s classmate at South Carolina, highlights his work ethic and his desire to succeed from day one. Wonnum and others wonder why it has taken so long for Dowdle’s value to be recognized. His versatility as a runner, both inside and outside, and his skill as a receiver, have put Canales in the position to keep Dowdle as a starter against the Jets.
Skip Peete, Tampa Bay’s running backs coach, recommended Dowdle to Canales, describing him as an aggressive, intelligent, and passionate player. His mother, Leslie Dowdle, who worked hard to give her son every opportunity, seems to predict Rico’s success. She remembers how his father, upon seeing him for the first time, predicted his potential. Now, the NFL is seeing Dowdle at his best.
