Rico Dowdle, a former South Carolina football standout, is making impressive strides in his NFL career, successfully transitioning from an undrafted rookie to a formidable force on the field. In a notable season, Dowdle has exceeded expectations by becoming a 1,000-yard rusher in 2024, and he has continued that success into 2025.
In a recent game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Dowdle cemented his running prowess by surpassing the 1,000-yard mark for the season with a significant 29-yard burst. As of now, he has compiled a total of 1,007 rushing yards and has scored six touchdowns, all with two games still remaining in the regular season.
Remarkably, Dowdle ranks 10th among all NFL players in rushing yards, an impressive feat considering he began the season not as the starting running back. He has delivered outstanding performances, including two of the top five rushing games of the season, rushing for 206 yards against the Miami Dolphins and making a significant contribution of 183 yards against his former team, the Dallas Cowboys. These efforts have been crucial in securing victories for the Carolina Panthers in both matchups.
Dowdle has been instrumental alongside fellow running back Chuba Hubbard in propelling the Panthers’ offense into the top 10 in rushing attacks this NFL season. This turnaround is significant, especially considering the team’s struggles with a 5-12 record in 2024, positioning them now as leaders in the competitive NFC South.
Entering his sixth year in the league, Dowdle is on track to not only set a new career-high in rushing yards but has already achieved a personal best in rushing touchdowns with six. He currently needs just 72 more yards to surpass his 2024 total with the Cowboys, while also achieving a new career high in receiving yards.
Dowdle’s back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons highlight a rare achievement among former Gamecocks, with George Rogers and Duce Staley being notable predecessors in this accomplishment. Rogers, who reached the 1,000-yard milestone four times, and Staley with three, set a high bar. Should Dowdle maintain his strong performances, he could very well challenge these marks in the future. This positive trajectory in Dowdle’s career not only showcases his individual skill but also signals a hopeful resurgence for the Panthers’ franchise overall.