NC running back Rico Dowdle commits to Gamecocks

Shrine Bowl running back Rico Dowdle of Asheville, N.C., announced a commitment to South Carolina on Friday.

Dowdle (6-1, 206) is originally from the Upstate and earlier this week said he favored South Carolina over N.C. State, Tennessee and Wake Forest. He is set to take his official visit to USC next weekend.

“Just talking to the coaches and the love of the fans, and they are in my home state and all my family can come see me play,” Dowdle said. “It’s not too far from here where the people from here can come see me play. I know it’s a great place. I’ve got a cousin (Shaq Davidson) that plays for them, plays receiver. Had a person from Gaffney graduate from there and go on to play in the NFL for the Vikings and Seahawks, Sidney Rice. There’s some great stuff that goes on down in Columbia.”

This past season Dowdle rushed for 2,545 yards and 51 touchdowns and passed for 1,434 yards and 11 scores. He also had one receiving score. In the Shrine Bowl he rushed for 19 yards and one touchdown and caught 5 passes for 48 yards and a score.

Dowdle is excited about the opportunity with the Gamecocks.

“Just really hearing that they can use me down there and I’m a great for the offense and I’m a good running back they can use down there in Columbia,” he said. “That I need to come home and stuff, just a lot of love on Twitter from the fans and things from South Carolina. It’s just a great feeling. Nothing but positive.”

USC now has 19 commitments for the 2016 class.

This story was originally published January 8, 2016 at 2:49 PM with the headline "NC running back Rico Dowdle commits to Gamecocks."