Sunday Morning Bloody Mary: Ras-I Dowling's senior year snake bitten

by Dan Kadar on Nov 28, 2010 11:06 AM EST

Virginia's Ras-I Dowling was supposed to challenge Nebraska's Prince Amukamara as the top senior cornerback prospect in the nation this season.

A pulled hamstring kept Dowling out of Virgnia's first four games. A lingering knee injury held Dowling to one game and another four more plays before a lingering knee injury sidelined him until a Nov. 13 game against Maryland. In the first quarter of that game, he fractured his left ankle.

To say Dowling has been snake bitten would be an understatement. But those injuries have also taken a large bite out of his draft stock. Considered a first-round pick before the year, Dowling might not hear his name called in the first two rounds.

He's been surpassed by the likes of Jimmy Smith of Colorado, Davon House of New Mexico State and Curtis Brown of Texas. Some might even think his teammate, junior Chase Minniefield, is a better pro prospect.

Dowling's only chance to revive his draft stock is the Senior Bowl. If he gets an invite, which many expect, he should take it. Play and practice well, and he can erase a doomed senior season.

Every Sunday we'll talk about roster move, injury or weather affecting an NFL Draft prospect. These posts will be sponsored by Absolut.

ENJOY WITH ABSOLUT RESPONSIBILITY®

Tweet Comment 7 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

I have a feeling this guys gonna drop a lot on draft day

by Yankees10 on Nov 28, 2010 11:36 AM EST reply actions

I still

Think he is a good player. I don’t see a Donovan Warren type fall for Dowling.

If hip hop is dead, then it happened the day that Dilla died.
-Akrobatik

by Bestjagfan on Nov 28, 2010 12:31 PM EST reply actions

I think he'll drop like a rock

then turn out being a great steal.

by rws591 on Nov 28, 2010 12:45 PM EST reply actions

Hammy's are killers

they nag and never fully heal till after the season, unless ur playing baseball and u sit out 2 months for it (pussys).

by DBroncs1414 on Nov 28, 2010 2:38 PM EST reply actions

hahaha

by vitzeng on Nov 28, 2010 8:26 PM EST up reply actions

good for your team bad for Ras I

sucks but im loving it because hopefully my team gets a steal later in the draft
I think he is a better corner than the guys that “jumped” him
only CB I would take over him are Peterson Amukanamora
I like bigger corners, reminds me alot of Ike Taylor, I would for Ras I to fall to the Cowboys in the 3rd or 4th rd, no way he falls past the 3rd imo, he will have a good Senior Bowl or Combine, just like the OL people have out of the 1st
CBs and OL always fly up the board with the Combine

by Archie Barberio on Nov 28, 2010 6:07 PM EST reply actions

Depends on the ankle

If he heals and can perform at the Senior Bowl and combine, great. If not, expect a fall like Walter Thurmond last year, to the 4th round or later. Nobody wants to take a chance with a 2nd or 3rd round pick on an injured player, particularly a DB. If it’s my millions, I’m looking for what I believe are sure things. Look at Anthony McCoy who fell to the 6th round because he stupidly popped positive for Weed at the combine.

On this topic, I think suspended UNC players will fall farther than most people are projecting. Quinn to late 1st or 2nd round, Austin to 3rd round, Little to 4th round. Regardless your opinion of the NCAA, they didn’t play this year. Austin was already knocked for not living up to potential in 2009, and Little only had one year at WR showing promise, but far from a finished product.

by diehard82 on Nov 30, 2010 10:39 AM EST reply actions