LaDamion McDowell, Lamar RB: the 2026 season story
LaDamion McDowell is a sophomore running back for Lamar (Southland). He ranks 484th of 575 running backs in Division I by the Player Index, which judges every running back on the measures that matter at the position, adjusted for the opponents he faced.
Scouting report
Why it matters. Every measure is set against every ranked running back, so a strength here is a strength against the whole position, not just his own team. LaDamion McDowell's strongest measure is stuffed runs at 14%, 131st of 299 (the average is 16%). His weakest is rush yards per game at 15, 298th of 299 (the average is 49).
Season production
Why it matters. Volume is the first sign of how much a coaching staff trusts a player. His rush yards per game, 15, ranks 298th among 299 ranked running backs.
Against every running back
Why it matters. Volume, efficiency and impact plays can tell different stories: a player can be busy without being effective, or rarely used but dangerous every time. Among ranked running backs he sits, on average, in the 13th percentile for volume, 27th for efficiency and 21st for impact.
The season, game by game
Why it matters. Consistency matters to a team: one huge game and five quiet ones is a different season from six solid ones. Over 10 games, LaDamion McDowell's best came in week 10 against Stephen F. Austin and his quietest in week 1 against Abilene Christian.
When it matters
Why it matters. Third downs, the red zone and games against good teams are where drives and seasons are decided.
Where he does his damage
Why it matters. The shape of a player's production, not just its size, is what opponents scout.
National and conference
Why it matters. The Player Index puts every running back on one scale, adjusted for the defenses or offenses he faced, so a rank here is comparable across conferences. LaDamion McDowell is 193rd of 276 FCS running backs and 19th of 27 in the Southland. Next up nationally is Jared Rhodes of Lindenwood, 0.01 ahead on the index.
Career
Why it matters. A player's track record is the best guide to whether a season like this one is likely to last. His best season by the Player Index was 2025 at Lamar, 266th of 670 running backs.
Running backs like him
Why it matters. Players with similar profiles tend to be used the same way, which makes them a quick way to picture his game. His closest match this season is Christian Monfort of West Georgia.
