Matt Rhule talks Dante Dowdell, navigating new landscape of roster management [Video]

Many Nebraska football fans were caught off guard and surprised when they saw Dante Dowdell’s name pop up in the transfer portal.

The big and physical downhill runner played in every regular-season game this season with seven starts. Dowdell rushed for 614 rushing yards and 12 rushing touchdowns in 2024.

With Emmett Johnson and Dowdell, the Huskers looked to have a nice 1-2 punch in the backfield in 2025. Johnson as the shifty all-purpose back with plenty of make-you-miss and receiving ability in him. Dowdell, a young back who’s still developing in certain areas, as the 6-foot-2, 225-pound north-south bruiser who was money in short-yardage and goal-line situations.

But the days of being caught off guard and surprised by anything dealing with college football are over. With the way the sport is operating right now, Matt Rhule wasn’t surprised Dowdell is looking elsewhere.

According to Nebraska’s head coach, the process of Dowdell’s departure started well before the transfer portal opened.