SI All-American Candidate Caleb McDowell Highlights and Evaluation
Prospect: RB Caleb McDowell
Projected Position: Running Back
Status: SI All-American Candidate
Vitals: 5-foot-10, 175 pounds
School: Leesburg (Ga.) Lee County
Committed to: South Carolina
Frame: Relatively short with lean muscle throughout. Cut arms and calves with a trunk that can stand to add mass.
Athleticism: Two-sport standout in football and track and field, with an 11.20 100-meter dash mark in 2018. Snap quickness to stop-start with the football in his hands, with elite elusiveness in the open field. Good burst as well as top speed with sustainability.
Instincts: Innate ability to make an initial defender miss in space with set-em-up quickness. Hard jump cut and moves with decision style. Willing to play more physically than frame suggests.
Polish: Runs with a low center of gravity and behind his pads when pressing hole. A good combination of patience and activity behind the line with easy bounce. Not much blocking on tape, but tools to play functionally on third down exist as a pass-catcher with body control and hands.
Bottom Line: McDowell is a change of pace back built to challenge the edge of the defense. His one-cut style pairs well with great speed and elusiveness in the open field to create chunk plays. He may not be a collegiate workhorse but he can present as a streaky option in a wide-open scheme. Special teams potential here, too.