He played college football at UT Martin and was selected by the Titans in the seventh round (228th overall) of the 2023 NFL draft.

[1][2] He attended Wilson Central High School in Lebanon and as a senior helped them go 8–3 while posting 799 receiving yards off 44 receptions with five touchdowns.

[6][7] In the spring 2021 season, postponed from 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Dowell started all seven games and recorded 40 receptions for 459 yards and four touchdowns, being named first-team All-Ohio Valley Conference (OVC).

[8] Despite only appearing in six games in the fall 2021 season due to an injury, he was able to make 22 catches for 398 yards with two touchdowns, earning another all-conference selection.

[5] He finished his stint at UT Martin as their all-time leader in receiving yards, 2,796, while additionally tallying 177 receptions and 19 scores.