Andrew Dowell Bio
Andrew Dowell is an American professional football linebacker born on November 16, 1996, in Cleveland, Ohio. He played college football for the Michigan State Spartans after attending St. Edward High School in Lakewood, Ohio. After going undrafted in the 2019 NFL Draft, he built his career primarily on special teams, suiting up for the Dallas Cowboys and the New Orleans Saints before continuing in the United Football League.
Listed at 6 feet 0 inches tall and 225 pounds, Dowell has spent his professional career contributing as a linebacker and a core special teams player. He currently plays for the Memphis Showboats of the UFL and has also been a member of the Dallas Renegades. Off the field, he is recognized for his disciplined approach and his willingness to do the unglamorous work that wins games.
Early Life and Background
Andrew Dowell grew up in the Cleveland area and attended St. Edward High School in Lakewood, Ohio, one of the state’s most respected football programs. He was a multi-sport athlete who also practiced basketball and track, experiences that helped him develop the speed and conditioning that later defined his special teams value at the professional level.
As a junior, Dowell started at running back and produced a strong statistical season, including 158 carries for 968 yards, 13 rushing touchdowns, and 17 receptions for 246 yards with 3 receiving touchdowns. That versatility foreshadowed the flexibility he would later bring to the defensive side of the ball and to coverage units.
As a senior, Dowell moved to safety and helped St. Edward win the 2014 Division I state championship. He tallied 153 tackles with 2 for loss, 6 interceptions (3 returned for touchdowns), 11 passes defensed, 47 carries for 241 yards with 6 rushing touchdowns, and 10 receptions for 148 yards with 3 receiving touchdowns. His performance earned All-Ohio and Cleveland.com All-Star honors.
Path to American Football
Dowell accepted a football scholarship from Michigan State University, where he joined a defense known for producing NFL linebackers. As a true freshman, he played 13 games primarily on special teams and led the team with 10 tackles in that role, an early signal of the niche he would later carve out in the pros.
By his sophomore season, Dowell had earned eight of 12 starts at linebacker, posting 67 defensive tackles and 7 special teams tackles that ranked second on the team. The combination of defensive snaps and core special teams duty became his defining pattern at Michigan State.
As a junior, he started all 13 games at linebacker, recording 74 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, one sack, 4 passes defensed, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery. In his senior season, he started all 13 games again, finishing with 97 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, 9 pass break-ups, and 3.5 sacks. He earned honorable-mention All-Big Ten honors and received the MSU Tommy Love Award for most improved player on defense.
Andrew Dowell Career
Early Career (2019)
Dowell signed with the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent on May 1, 2019, shortly after the conclusion of that year’s draft. He was waived by Dallas with an injury designation on August 1, 2019, and then waived from injured reserve on August 10, 2019, ending his first NFL stop after only a few months.
He did not stay out of football for long. On November 20, 2019, Dowell signed to the New Orleans Saints’ practice squad, beginning a multi-year association with the franchise that would become the defining chapter of his NFL career.
New Orleans Saints Breakthrough (2019–2023)
Dowell signed a reserve and future contract with the Saints on January 7, 2020, and bounced between the practice squad and the active roster over the next two seasons. He was elevated to the active roster on January 2, 2021, for the Saints’ Week 17 game against the Carolina Panthers before reverting to the practice squad. On January 18, 2021, he signed another reserve and future contract at the end of the 2020 season.
The 2021 training camp marked Dowell’s real breakthrough. He made the Saints’ 53-man roster and went on to play in 16 games that regular season. On September 26, 2021, in a Week 3 matchup, he blocked a punt against New England Patriots punter Jake Bailey. On December 19, 2021, in a Week 15 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he became the first NFL player that season to record 5 special teams stops in a single game. He finished the year tied for fourth in the league with 15 special teams tackles.
In 2022, Dowell appeared in all 17 regular season games, recording 2 forced fumbles and 7 combined tackles. He became a free agent on March 15, 2023, after not receiving a qualifying offer, but he re-signed with the Saints on April 3, 2023. On August 2, 2023, he was placed on injured reserve after suffering a torn ACL in practice. He re-signed with New Orleans on August 23, 2024, but was released four days later.
Memphis Showboats Era (2025–Present)
On April 14, 2025, Dowell signed with the Memphis Showboats of the United Football League, giving him a platform to continue playing after his NFL stint. The move allowed him to remain a full-time professional linebacker in a spring league that has attracted several veterans seeking another shot at high-level football.
On January 13, 2026, Dowell was selected by the Dallas Renegades in the 2026 UFL Draft, signaling continued demand for his services. He is listed at linebacker with jersey number 51 and has built a reputation as a reliable defender and core special teams player.
Driving Style and Strengths
Dowell’s profile is built on speed, tackling reliability, and special teams intelligence. He excels in punt and kick coverage, where his track background and open-field tackling translate into immediate impact. His college production on defense, particularly his 97-tackle senior season at Michigan State, demonstrated the range and instincts that allow him to handle both run fits and coverage responsibilities at the next level.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among his signature moments, Dowell’s 2021 blocked punt against the New England Patriots and his five special teams stops against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers stand out as defining performances. His selection in the 2026 UFL Draft by the Dallas Renegades, after seasons of NFL practice squad and active roster work, marks another milestone in a career defined by perseverance.
Andrew Dowell Career Wins
Andrew Dowell’s professional resume is built less on headline statistics and more on the consistent, detail-oriented work that fuels winning teams. He has accumulated verified production on special teams and in spot defensive duty across the NFL and the UFL, with his 2021 Saints season standing as the high-water mark of his career.
NFL and UFL Highlights
In the NFL, Dowell’s most productive stretch came with the New Orleans Saints from 2019 through 2023, where he appeared in regular season games and finished tied for fourth in the league with 15 special teams tackles in 2021. He also recorded 22 total tackles and 2 forced fumbles in his career NFL statistics through 2023. In the UFL, he joined the Memphis Showboats in 2025 and was selected by the Dallas Renegades in the 2026 UFL Draft, extending his professional career into a new spring league.
Other Performances
At the high school level, Dowell helped St. Edward win the 2014 Division I state championship in Ohio and earned All-Ohio and Cleveland.com All-Star recognition. At Michigan State, he earned honorable-mention All-Big Ten honors and the MSU Tommy Love Award for most improved player on defense, reflecting the steady development that carried him to the professional ranks.
Andrew Dowell Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
While at Michigan State, Andrew Dowell played alongside his twin brother, David Dowell, who also suited up for the Spartans during the same period. The brothers’ shared college experience remains a notable part of Dowell’s family football story.
Personal Life
Andrew Dowell was born and raised in the Cleveland, Ohio area, where his high school career at St. Edward helped launch his path to the college and professional ranks. He continues to pursue his playing career through the United Football League.
2025 Season Performance
Andrew Dowell joined the Memphis Showboats on April 14, 2025, beginning his first season in the United Football League. The spring league offered him a chance to resume full-time play after an ACL injury in 2023 had limited his late-stage NFL opportunities. His experience as a multi-year special teams contributor and spot linebacker made him a useful addition to the Showboats’ roster.
Dowell’s role in 2025 centered on the same strengths that defined his Saints tenure: reliable tackling in space, special teams coverage, and depth at the linebacker position. Throughout the season, he provided veteran leadership for a Showboats squad that featured a mix of NFL-experienced players and developmental talent.
Looking ahead, Dowell’s selection in the 2026 UFL Draft by the Dallas Renegades signals continued interest in his services. His blend of experience, tackling consistency, and special teams value is expected to keep him in demand as the UFL continues to grow, and he remains a player whose career has been built one role at a time.