Slowly, but surely, the Georgia Bulldogs' transfer portal class is starting to round into form. On Monday afternoon, Kirby Smart's team picked up the latest addition in the form of former Kentucky running back Dante Dowdell. UGA will be his fourth college team. The Picayune, Mississippi native has also played at Oregon and Nebraska previously. He will be part of Georgia's rushing attack next fall.
Dowdell has become the sixth player to commit to Georgia in the transfer portal during the offseason.
DAWG! Kentucky transfer RB Dante Dowdell has just announced he will transfer to #Georgia. 🐶
— Dawg Recruiting (@DawggRecruiting) January 12, 2026
The 6’2” RB from Picayune, MS recorded 112 carries, 560 rushing yards, and 3 touchdowns last season for the Wildcats. Dowdell started his career at Oregon, went to Nebraska, then… pic.twitter.com/4XbxJswBXi
Dowdell has joined Khalil Barnes, Isiah Canion, Braylon Conley, Ja'Marley Riddle, and Amaris Williams as part of Georgia's transfer portal class. He is the No. 28 running back recruit who entered the portal and is the No. 290 overall prospect in this cycle. This move helps augment Georgia's rushing attack. It is not about Nate Frazier transfer portal security, but there might be something else to monitor soon.
Let's not overlook the fact just how close Smart is with former Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops...
Dante Dowdell will be instrumental in stabilizing Georgia's ground game
Even though Georgia almost always has quality running backs, it has usually been running back by committee in recent years. Frazier is not yet draft-eligible, but he may turn pro after this upcoming season. While Dawg Nation got more good news on the running back front with Chauncey Bowens saying he will be back in Athens for a third season, this fits right in line with how UGA wants to play.
They know that winning with defense and a commitment to the run is how this team goes from good to great next year. While this past season's team was incredibly receptive to coaching, it was a team that was still largely green. Even though we still have time to see what happens between now and spring practice, maybe Stoops will find his way to Athens as part of Smart's staff, or as an analyst?
In the end, landing a player of Dowdell's caliber could help Georgia sustain excellence atop the SEC. While some of the teams who made the playoff out of the conference last year will not be back, let's be fully aware of what Texas is doing in the transfer portal this offseason. It may be to the disdain of Kalen DeBoer over at Alabama, but Steve Sarkisian is coming for Georgia, and Smart better be ready.
At this time, it is good to see a player that was tied to Georgia in recent days finally put pen to paper.