Georgia Bulldogs running back Dante Dowdell is being treated for serious injuries sustained in an ATV accident that occurred off-campus, head coach Kirby Smart announced.
Smart stated that the incident resulted in injuries significant enough to require hospitalization at two separate facilities. Dowdell is currently at the Shepherd Center in Atlanta, a hospital specializing in spinal cord and brain injuries, as well as rehabilitation.
"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. He added that the team and Dowdell's family are supported by the Bulldogs' players, many of whom have visited him.
Dowdell was injured near his home in Picayune, Mississippi. He has had a notable college career, previously playing for Oregon in 2023 before transferring to Nebraska and then spending the 2025 season with Kentucky. Throughout his career, Dowdell has accumulated 1,264 yards on 272 carries across 30 games, scoring 12 of his 16 career rushing touchdowns with Nebraska.
He was expected to be a factor in Georgia's running back depth chart for the upcoming season. The team is awaiting further updates on his recovery prognosis.