Georgia RB Dante Dowdell Hospitalized with 'Serious Injuries' After ATV Crash, Kirby Smart Confirms

Georgia coach Kirby Smart said Tuesday that running back Dante Dowdell was hospitalized in Atlanta following an ATV accident.

"He's injured," Smart said, per ESPN's Mark Schlabach. "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."

The coach added that it's too early to know what Dowdell's status will be for the 2026 college football season.

Dowdell started his college career at Oregon in 2023 before transferring to Nebraska and then Kentucky. Over the past two seasons, he ran for 1,174 yards and 15 touchdowns while averaging 4.6 yards per carry.

That put the senior on Georgia's radar as Smart sought some depth behind leading rusher Nate Frazier. Frazier had 947 yards on the ground in 14 games, while Chauncey Bowens was second on the team with 526 yards.

Dowdell figured to split carries with Bowens as Frazier's backup. The role will likely fall to Dwight Phillips Jr. now.

Georgia kicks off its season on Sept. 5 against Tennessee State and has its first SEC matchup Sept. 19 against Arkansas.