South Carolina Football: Five Players that Signed Deals as Undrafted Free Agents

By Jacob Elsey | Apr 27, 2020

COLUMBIA, SC - SEPTEMBER 28: Rico Dowdle #5 of the South Carolina Gamecocks rushes for a 30 yard touchdown during the second half of a game against the Kentucky Wildcats at Williams-Brice Stadium on September 28, 2019 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images) /

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COLUMBIA, SC – SEPTEMBER 01: Rico Dowdle #5 of the South Carolina Gamecocks runs with the ball against Tarron Jackson #9 of the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers at Williams-Brice Stadium on September 1, 2018 in Columbia, South Carolina. SC won 49-15. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images) /

RICO DOWDLE – DALLAS COWBOYS

Dowdle was picked up by the Cowboys following the 2020 NFL Draft, where he’ll join star rusher Ezekiel Elliott in the Dallas backfield. Head coach Mike McCarthy adds an elusive ball carrier to provide depth in the Cowboys’ running backs room.

Dowdle started four seasons in Columbia, rushing for 2,167 yards and 16 touchdowns as a Gamecock. He also added another 483 yards and three touchdowns as a receiver.

Dowdle posted some fantastic numbers at the NFL Combine in February. He ran a 4.54 forty-yard dash, recorded a 38” vertical, and finished with the 3rd best broad jump amongst running backs. There are definitely areas of improvement, including resolving some ball security issues and improving as a pass catcher. He’ll also need to avoid injuries, which prevented him from ever playing a full season at South Carolina, but when healthy, Dowdle was the Gamecocks’ best back.

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