Former Michigan State DB Michael Dowell transferring to Miami (Ohio) after previously headed to Pitt

Test - College football: Michigan State vs. Ohio State – December 5, 2020

Michigan State safety Michael Dowell (10) eyes the play in the third quarter of their Big Ten football game game against Ohio State at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, on Saturday, December 5, 2020. (Mike Mulholland | MLive.com) Mike Mulholland | MLive.com

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Michael Dowell is headed to his home state to continue his college career.

The former Michigan State redshirt junior defensive back was announced as a new transfer addition at safety by Miami (Ohio) on Monday. It’s a change of plans for Dowell, who Pittsburgh announced as a signee on Dec. 31. However, Dowell on Jan. 13 tweeted he wouldn’t join the Panthers due to “unforeseen circumstances” and noted he has two seasons of eligibility remaining.

Dowell’s older twin brothers – linebacker Andrew Dowell and safety David Dowell – were both starters for the Spartans. The former three-star recruit from St. Edward High School in Ohio had 82 tackles, including 2.5 for a loss, five pass break-ups and a fumble recovery in 32 career games with six starts split between safety and nickelback.

Michigan State true freshmen recap: Six play, five enter transfer portal

Dowell started the first four games this season at nickelback before Darius Snow took over the spot. He entered the portal on Nov. 28 and wasn’t with the Spartans (11-2) for their Dec. 30 Peach Bowl win against Pittsburgh.

Michigan State has had 19 players enter the portal since September and Dowell is one of 16 to do so since the regular season ended. He is one of 11 from that group to announce their next school, following linebackers Chase Kline (Eastern Michigan) and Cole DeMarzo (Wyoming), defensive tackles Kyle King (Ball State) and Tyson Watson (Massachusetts), cornerback Kalon Gervin (Kansas), offensive lineman James Ohonba (Louisiana), defensive end Jack Camper (Virginia), tight end Kameron Allen (SMU) and receivers C.J. Hayes (Syracuse) and Ricky White (UNLV).

Dowell is one of two former Spartans that Miami (Ohio) announced as new additions on Monday, along with receiver Tre’Von Morgan from Kentucky. Morgan spent two years with the Spartans before transferring to Kentucky for the 2021 season and entering the portal again.

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