Andrew Dowell (born November 16, 1996) is an American professional football linebacker. He played college football for the Michigan State Spartans.
Personal information | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Born: | Cleveland, Ohio, U.S. | November 16, 1996||||||
Height: | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | ||||||
Weight: | 225 lb (102 kg) | ||||||
Career information | |||||||
High school: | St. Edward (Lakewood, Ohio) | ||||||
College: | Michigan State (2015–2018) | ||||||
Position: | Linebacker | ||||||
Undrafted: | 2019 | ||||||
Career history | |||||||
* Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |||||||
Career NFL statistics as of 2023 | |||||||
|
Early life
editDowell attended St. Edward High School. As a junior, he started at running back, collecting 158 carries for 968 yards (6.1-yard avg.), 13 rushing touchdowns, 17 receptions for 246 yards (14.5-yard avg.) and 3 receiving touchdowns.
As a senior, he started at safety and contributed to the team winning the 2014 Division I state championship. He tallied 153 tackles (2 for loss), 6 interceptions (3 returned for touchdowns), 11 passes defensed, 47 carries for 241 yards (5.1-yard avg.), 6 rushing touchdowns, 10 receptions for 148 yards (14.8 avg.) and 3 receiving touchdowns. He received All-Ohio and Cleveland.com All-Star honors.
He also practiced basketball and track.
College career
editDowell accepted a football scholarship from Michigan State University (MSU). As a true freshman, he played 13 games mainly on special teams, leading the team with 10 tackles.
As a sophomore, he made eight-of-12 starts at linebacker, posting 67 tackles and 7 special teams tackles (second on the team).
As a junior, he started all 13 games at linebacker, making 74 tackles (second on the team), 2.5 tackles for loss, one sack, 4 passes defensed, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.
As a senior, he again started all 13 games at linebacker, making 97 tackles (ranking him 10th in the Big Ten Conference) along with career high tackles for losses (8.5), pass break-ups (9) and sacks (3.5).[1] While at Michigan State, he played alongside his twin-brother David.[2] He earned honorable-mention All-Big Ten honors by coaches and media, and earned the MSU Tommy Love Award for most improved player on defense.
Professional career
editHeight | Weight | Arm length | Hand span | 40-yard dash | 10-yard split | 20-yard split | 20-yard shuttle | Three-cone drill | Vertical jump | Broad jump | Bench press | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
5 ft 11 3⁄4 in (1.82 m) |
225 lb (102 kg) |
31 7⁄8 in (0.81 m) |
8 3⁄4 in (0.22 m) |
4.64 s | 1.62 s | 2.70 s | 4.25 s | 7.06 s | 31.0 in (0.79 m) |
9 ft 10 in (3.00 m) |
20 reps | |
All values from Pro Day[3] |
Dallas Cowboys
editDowell was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Dallas Cowboys after the 2019 NFL draft on May 1.[4] He was waived by Dallas, with an injury designation, on August 1, 2019.[5] He was waived from injured reserve on August 10, 2019.
New Orleans Saints
edit2019–2020
editDowell signed to the New Orleans Saints' practice squad on November 20, 2019.[6] He signed a reserve/future contract with the Saints on January 7, 2020.[7] He was waived during final roster cuts on September 5, 2020, and signed to the practice squad the next day.[8] He was elevated to the active roster on January 2, 2021, for the team's week 17 game against the Carolina Panthers, and reverted to the practice squad after the game.[9] On January 18, 2021, he signed a reserve/future contract at the conclusion of the 2020 season.[10]
2021
editDowell made the New Orleans Saints' 53-man roster following the 2021 training camp.[11][12] On September 26, 2021, in week 3, he blocked a punt against the New England Patriots' punter Jake Bailey in the second-quarter.[13] On December 19, 2021, in a week 15 matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Dowell became the first NFL player in 2021 to record 5 special teams stops (four solo) in a single game.[14] He played in 16 games and finished the 2021 regular season tied for fourth in the league with 15 special teams tackles.
2022
editDowell appeared in all 17 regular season games for the Saints in 2022, racking up two forced fumbles and 7 combined tackles. He did not receive a qualifying offer following the season and became a free agent on March 15, 2023.[15] On April 3, 2023, he re-signed with the Saints.[1]
2023
editOn August 2, 2023, after sustaining a torn ACL during practice, Dowell was placed on the injured reserve.[16]
2024
editOn August 23, 2024, Dowell re-signed with the Saints, but was released four days later.[17][18]
References
edit- ^ a b "Andrew Dowell". Michigan State Athletics. Retrieved January 26, 2021.
- ^ "Bro, no mo: David Dowell adapting to life at MSU without twin Andrew". The Detroit News. August 3, 2019. Retrieved January 26, 2021.
- ^ "2019 NFL Draft Scout Andrew Dowell College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved January 7, 2024.
- ^ "MSU LB Andrew Dowell signs with Dallas Cowboys as UDFA". Spartans Wire. May 1, 2019. Retrieved January 26, 2021.
- ^ "Andrew Dowell: Cut loose by 'Boys". CBS Sports. August 1, 2019. Retrieved January 26, 2021.
- ^ "Updated Saints practice squad after signing LB Andrew Dowell". Saints Wire. November 21, 2019. Retrieved January 26, 2021.
- ^ "Saints sign 9 of 10 practice squad players to reserve/future deals". Nola.com. January 6, 2020. Retrieved January 26, 2021.
- ^ "Saints trim down to 53-man roster". Fox8. September 5, 2020. Retrieved January 26, 2021.
- ^ "New Orleans Saints announce roster moves". NewOrleansSaints.com. January 2, 2021. Archived from the original on March 3, 2021. Retrieved February 15, 2021.
- ^ "Saints sign Christian Ringo, 13 more to Reserve/Future contracts". ESPN 1420. January 21, 2021. Retrieved January 26, 2021.
- ^ "Andrew Dowell has made the New Orleans Saints 53-man roster". Spartans Wire. August 31, 2021. Retrieved September 3, 2021.
- ^ "Saints 53-Man Roster 2021 New Orleans Saints released several players to meet the NFL's 53-man roster deadline". si.com. August 31, 2021. Retrieved September 3, 2021.
- ^ Andrew Dowell blocks the punt vs. New England (Saints). September 26, 2021. Retrieved September 28, 2021.
- ^ "New Orleans Saints notes from 9-0 win over Tampa Bay Buccaneers". New Orleans Saints. December 19, 2019. Retrieved December 22, 2021.
- ^ "Saints make a surprising decision at the beginning of free agency". atozsports.com. Retrieved April 8, 2023.
- ^ "Saints Place Special Teams Standout LB on IR". Sports Illustrated New Orleans Saints News, Analysis and More. Retrieved August 3, 2023.
- ^ "New Orleans Saints announce roster moves". NewOrleansSaints.com. August 23, 2024.
- ^ "New Orleans Saints announce roster moves". NewOrleansSaints.com. August 27, 2024.