Matt Rhule hints at tampering behind Dante Dowdell’s Nebraska exit.
College athletics, particularly college football, is in the midst of a major transformation. With the sport’s new 12-team playoff format, marquee SEC matchups now airing on ABC, and players enjoying the freedom to transfer annually, the landscape is shifting rapidly.
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The introduction of NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) agreements, along with pay-for-play structures, has further complicated the relationship between players and programs. One unintended consequence of these changes is the rise of tampering—where players are approached with offers while still under contract with another team. Although rarely discussed openly, tampering has become an undeniable reality.
Nebraska Cornhuskers head coach Matt Rhule recently addressed this issue, suggesting that tampering may have influenced the departure of running back Dante Dowdell, who ultimately signed with the Kentucky Wildcats. Rhule reflected on Dowdell’s exit with a mixture of respect and concern about the current transfer dynamics.
“I love Dante, and Dante loved it here. Dante loved it here. I’ve got nothing but elite things to say about Dante,” Rhule said. “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. These are decisions. These are offers being made before they’re in the portal.”
He continued, emphasizing the complexity of these decisions: “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 been active in the transfer portal, securing key players to strengthen its roster. One notable addition was Kentucky wide receiver Dane Key, who committed to the Huskers on Christmas Eve. However, Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule has raised concerns about potential tampering related to the transfer of former Cornhusker running back Dante Dowdell.
Dowdell entered the transfer portal on December 16, and within 24 hours, reports indicated he had already scheduled a visit with Kentucky. Just days later, on December 20, Dowdell announced his commitment to the Wildcats. Rhule’s comments suggest he suspects discussions between Dowdell and Kentucky may have taken place before Dowdell officially entered the portal, shining a light on the ongoing issue of tampering in the modern college football transfer process.
Were there behind-the-scenes talks influencing Dante Dowdell’s decision to leave? Matt Rhule seems to think so. In today’s college football landscape, roster-building feels more like a chaotic free-for-all, where the lines between fair play and tampering are increasingly blurred.
