Matt Rhule hints at tampering in Dante Dowdell’s exit from Nebraska

Nebraska lost its starting RB to Kentucky.

College athletics is undergoing a transformative period, with college football at the forefront of these sweeping changes. The sport now features a 12-team playoff format, the SEC’s marquee matchups have moved to ABC, and players have the freedom to transfer annually if they choose.

Additionally, the introduction of NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) agreements and pay-for-play dynamics has added new layers of complexity to the relationship between players and programs.

These developments have also given rise to the issue of tampering. While rarely addressed publicly, it’s an open secret that players are sometimes approached with offers while still under contract with another team. Nebraska Cornhuskers head coach Matt Rhule recently voiced concerns about such practices, suggesting that tampering played a role in the departure of running back Dante Dowdell, who ultimately signed with the Kentucky Wildcats.

Reflecting on Dowdell’s departure, Rhule emphasized his respect for the player while addressing concerns about tampering in the process.

“I love Dante, and Dante loved it here. Dante loved it here. I’ve got nothing but elite things to say about Dante. This was a long, hard, arduous process for him. In the end, he went into the portal and took an opportunity. These aren’t kids going into the portal to see what’s out there,” Rhule says. “These are decisions. These are offers being made before they’re in the portal.

“So this isn’t like, ‘I’m unhappy, I’m leaving.’ This is ‘Hey, I’ve got this.’ The numbers are a lot. Hard decisions for kids. Once you’ve played for me one day, you’ve played for me the rest of your life. I love Dante.”

Nebraska has also made some moves in the transfer portal, adding key players to its roster. One of the most recent additions was Kentucky wide receiver Dane Key, who committed to the Huskers on Christmas Eve. However, Nebraska head coach Rhule has hinted at concerns regarding tampering in connection with former Cornhusker running back Dowdell’s transfer.

Dowdell entered the transfer portal on December 16, and within 24 hours, reports surfaced that he had scheduled a visit with Kentucky. Just days later, on December 20, Dowdell announced his commitment to the Wildcats. Rhule’s comments suggest he believes discussions between Dowdell and Kentucky may have occurred before Dowdell officially entered the portal, raising questions about the broader challenges posed by tampering in the ever-evolving transfer landscape.

Were behind-the-scenes discussions involved in Dante Dowdell’s transfer? Matt Rhule seems to think so. In today’s world of college football roster-building, the landscape feels increasingly like a free-for-all with no rules.