Dowell on the board with early offers

Lakewood (Ohio) St. Edward class of 2015 athlete David Dowell not only picked up his first scholarship offers last week, but he also got the chance to experience it along with his brother, Andrew.

Andrew Dowell is also a class of 2015 prospect who will play running back for St. Edward this fall. Kent State and Toledo offered both brothers their first scholarships last week.

"Toledo was at Michigan State and they offered us there. Kent State was at Ohio State's camp and they offered us there," David Dowell said. "I definitely felt blessed and am really grateful for it. It is a testament to me and Andrew's hard work."

Dowell attended camps at Michigan, Michigan State, Northwestern, Ohio State, Penn State and Pittsburgh already this month. Of those schools, he felt the most promising performances occurred at the Ohio State and Michigan camps.

"I went to Ohio State Friday," Dowell said. "When I went to the camp I worked with the cornerbacks and Coach [Kerry] Coombs. He liked what he saw from me and that I was a long corner, so he put me with the best group for 1-on-1's. He liked how I competed and my skill level at corner, so he said he was going to be following me during the fall."

Dowell attended Michigan's camp the previous Wednesday with his brother and fellow teammate Shaun Crawford, who already held an offer from the Wolverines.

"We brought Shaun Crawford up there and he also worked at corner," Dowell said. "Brady Hoke followed us around and watched how we worked together. He said he liked what he saw from me and said he will be following me as well."

Dowell initially caught college attention by playing wide receiver as a sophomore for St. Edward, but as his recruitment has progressed teams are starting to like the 6-foot, 177-pound rising junior's potential as a defensive back as well.

"A whole bunch of people are telling me defensive back can be my ticket," Dowell said. "Right now I am still working on it and I'm not as polished at defensive back as I am at receiver, but I'm getting a lot better this summer. I am going to play both ways this year so I am just going to keep working at both of them."

Dowell plans to continue his summer camp tour with stops at Tennessee and Cincinnati in July. He is also considering returning to Ohio State for their Friday Night Lights Camp on July 26.