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Georgia will be without running back Dante Dowdell for an extended period of time after the former Kentucky transfer was seriously injured in an ATV accident over the summer, according to On3’s DawgsHQ and UGASports.com. Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart addressed Dowdell’s situation Wednesday morning during Day 2 of the 2026 SEC Football Kickoff Media Days in Tampa.
“He’s injured,” Smart told ESPN’s Mark Schlabach. “We don’t know when his return will be. I don’t know the specifics of it, to be honest with you. It was a recreational vehicle, and he had some serious injuries.”
Smart confirmed Dowdell’s “off-campus accident back home during our break” during an earlier breakout Q&A with local Georgia beat writers, adding the team expects “a full recovery” though a return to play is unclear at the moment. Smart added Dowdell has been to two different hospitals since the ATV accident, and is currently receiving treatment at Atlanta’s Shepherd Center, “which specializes in treatment and rehabilitation, including spinal cord and brain injuries,” per Schlabach.
“He’s out of the really tough range, but as far as his complete health and coming all the way back, I don’t know what that looks like in terms of this year,” Smart told ESPN.
Dowdell, a native of Picayune, Miss., was entering into his first season with the Bulldogs. He had previously made stops at Oregon, Nebraska, and Kentucky. Across his three-year career (30 games), Dowdell had racked up 1,264 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns.
He was expected to be a major contributor in Georgia’s crowded backfield this season, along with All-SEC back Nate Frazier and Chauncey Bowens. It is currently unknown whether or not Dowdell will be able to suit up for Georgia‘s season opener against Tennessee State on Sept. 5.
“Seeing as how Dowdell has played three years of P4 football, it shouldn’t take him long to get up to speed,” DawgsHQ‘s Jake Rowe wrote earlier this offseason. “Once he does, I expect the buzz to pick up. He’s a really good player who can help the Bulldogs to where they want to go. Personally, I think he’s a more talented running back than Josh McCray, who had a decent-sized role in the offense last season, and that was without the benefit of spring practice.”
Just last May, former Ohio State and Penn State wide receiver Julian Fleming was charged with homicide by motor vehicle and DUI following the death of his girlfriend in a four-wheeler accident. Much like driving any motor vehicle, the risk of operating a four-wheeler is always present, and now Dowdell has found himself in an extremely unfortunate situation.
— On3’s Alex Byington contributed to this report.
