Considering that the Nebraska football team acquired Dante Dowdell through the transfer portal, it's not that big a surprise that it looks like they'll lose him that way too. However, when it was announced on Monday night that the big running back is planning to look elsewhere for the 2025 season, it sent a ripple through the fanbase.
Dowdell is the third Huskers running back to at least consider entering the portal and the second to offically go in. He joins Gabe Ervins, who was the first from the running back room to officially start to look for a new school. Emmett Johnson thought about going into the portal but reversed course just before it opened on December 9.
Dowdell would seem likely to follow through with this move, especially since he's already done it. The announcement was more than a little shocking because NU departures hade mostly stopped in the last few days.
Nebraska football loses another running back to the transfer portal
The move is also surprising because most Husker players seemed genuinely enthused by the addition of offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen. It also appeared as though Dowdell's role with the team largely stayed the same with Holgorsen, as NU split time between backs with Emmett Johnson and Dowdell getting the bulk of the carries.
Last season, Dowdell had easily his best season as a college player, carrying 143 times for 614 yards and 12 touchdowns. He was especially effective as a battering ram at the goal line.
It seems that perhaps Dowdell is on the lookout for a place where he could be the featured back. It's also possible he believes the return of Emmett Johnson will give him more playing time for the Nebraska football team in 2025.