Former South Carolina running back Rico Dowdle has signed a one-year contract with the Carolina Panthers in NFL free agency after a standout season with the Dallas Cowboys in 2024. Dowdle ran for over 1000 yards and logged over 1300 yards from scrimmage, earning himself a new deal worth just over $6 million with the Panthers.
Partnering with Chuba Hubbard, Dowdle will form an interesting one-two punch in Charlotte, reuniting with former Gamecock teammates Jaycee Horn, DJ Wonnum, Xavier Legette, and Jadeveon Clowney. Dowdle’s move to the Panthers puts him closer to home in both University of South Carolina and his hometown of Asheville, North Carolina.
Despite dealing with injuries throughout college and in the NFL, Dowdle remained healthy in 2024 and set a Cowboys franchise record for rushing yardage by an undrafted player with 1079 yards. With the Panthers, he is expected to be in more of a time-share role, which should help him maintain his health and continue to produce on the field.
During his time at South Carolina, Dowdle finished with 2167 rushing yards, ranking 14th in program history, and was one of just eight Carolina backs to rush for 200 yards in a single game. His success at the college level has translated well to the NFL, and fans can expect to see continued success from Dowdle in his new role with the Panthers.
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