University of Georgia running back Dante Dowdell has sustained serious injuries after he was involved in an ATV accident, Bulldogs coach Kirby Smart has revealed.
“He’s injured,” Smart, 50, told reporters at SEC Media Days on Tuesday, July 21. “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.”
Dowdell, 21, is undergoing treatment at Shepherd Center, a medical facility in Atlanta that specializes in treatment and rehabilitation for spinal cord and brain injuries, according to ESPN.
“It was serious enough that he’s gone from two hospitals,” Smart said. “He’s in our state now, so hoping for a full recovery and trying to respect his family and their feelings and everything.”
The accident occurred near the running back’s home in Picayune, Mississippi, but further details have not been made public.
“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 said. “We’re praying for him and his family. We expect a full recovery, but the outlook right now is we’re waiting to see.”
He added, “I hate that for him and his family, but he’s a great kid. It’s been tough. A lot of our players have been over there to see him. It’s just one of those really tough situations.”
Dowdell is entering his senior season and, if he is able to play, will do so for his fourth school in as many years. He began his college career at the University of Oregon before transferring to Nebraska as a sophomore and Kentucky as a junior.
After rushing for 560 yards and three touchdowns with the Wildcats, Dowdell was expected to play a key role backing up Georgia’s Nate Frazier this season. With one year of eligibility remaining, Dowdell had a strong performance during the Bulldogs’ spring game in April, running for 61 yards with a touchdown in six carries.
Georgia has appeared in the College Football Playoff in four of the past five seasons and, as the 2026 season approaches, is in position to again finish at the top of the SEC. The Bulldogs went 12-2 last year, losing to the University of Mississippi in the quarterfinals at the Sugar Bowl.
Georgia will open its season on September 5 at home against Tennessee State University.
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