The Huskers had over 60 recruits on hand to see the team square off with Michigan under the lights on Saturday night. The team had visitors from coast to coast, ranging from the 2022 recruiting class to the 2025 class. Texas 2023 edge rusher Kennedy McDowell (6-4, 200) was one of the visitors in town.
Unforgettable experience visiting Nebraska for the game VS Michigan. The Sea of Red was DOPE! Thank you for the coaches and the staff for the great hospitality.@CoachChinander @SeanDillonNU @NEB_Recruiting @HuskerFBNation @roberson_derick @twftraining @FMHSRecruits @TrustMyEyesO pic.twitter.com/tzr5G9dfjf
— Kennedy ”Mayhem” McDowell (@MayhemMcDowell) October 10, 2021
Before his trip, McDowell told Hail Varsity that he was looking forward to seeing what Husker Nation had to offer. McDowell was not disappointed with what we saw.
“I don’t even think of words that can explain how I thought it was,” McDowell said. “It was surreal. I don’t really know how else to explain it than it was surreal. It felt different. It just felt awesome. It was fun. I enjoyed myself a lot.”
While the Texas native was in town he was able to see different presentations. There was one about the relationships formed at Nebraska, academics and nutrition. There was also a tour around the athletic facility and weight room. During those presentations there was one thing that impressed McDowell.
“I’m definitely going to have to say the relationships part,” McDowell said. “I haven’t really seen another program that values those relationships like they do. I can definitely feel it based off of how the multiple coaches contact me on a weekly basis. Not even a weekly basis, like almost every day to check up to see on how I’m doing and really just build those connections.”
McDowell feels those connections between the coaches are players are important to building a program. Feeling comfortable with the coaches at his future school is important. Seeing the emphasis on that in Lincoln gave Nebraska a boost. The defender noted that he hears from running backs coach Ryan Held and defensive coordinator Erik Chinander often. He enjoys talking with each coach and said that Chinander is a lot of fun to talk to.
So far this season McDowell has been to a game at Oklahoma, Vanderbilt and Notre Dame. Those visits were fine but the trip to Nebraska has him already wanting a return trip to Lincoln.
“I already want to come back because I want to get a full campus tour,” McDowell said. “I want to tour campus and I really want to get to see more of Lincoln. I definitely do want to come back for another visit.”
McDowell is an athlete with a lot of different interests. He loves football but also has other hobbies he is passionate about. He likes to express himself through writing poetry. He loves to fish and roller skate. He even plays competitive volleyball because he thinks the sport is fun. When it comes to his future school, he has a clear idea of what he is looking for.
“Education is definitely super important to me. I enjoy learning,” McDowell said. “Science is my favorite subject. I want to major in organic chemistry in college. I absolutely think that education is one of the most if not the most important thing to me. I love football with a passion. It is my passion and it’s my sport. If I’m not playing football, I get sad. Football and education in hand in my life.”
Now that McDowell is back home is Texas there is one thing that will stick with him from his game day visit to Nebraska.
“The sea of red. I can’t not think about the sea of red,” McDowell said. “I’ve heard stories and it’s almost like an urban legend. I got to see it myself. I absolutely adored it and it gave me goosebumps. You won’t see that anywhere else. The fact that the fans are just so devoted to that team. It’s honestly out of this world. It’s something that you really just don’t see anywhere else.”
Greg is the Recruiting Analyst for Hail Varsity and has covered Husker athletics since 2013. He has always had a passion for sports while growing up in the Chicago area. As he got older and had to hang up his cleats and sneakers, he realized his passion for sports went beyond just watching and attending games. He has covered many events from the Rose Bowl to championship boxing matches. If he’s not talking sports, he’s hovering over his grill. He is married to an amazing woman, Kim, and they have a dog that barks when Greg yells at the TV during games.
