Max Dowling, Massachusetts TE: the 2026 season story
Max Dowling is a senior tight end for Massachusetts (Mid-American). He ranks 176th of 305 tight ends in Division I by the Player Index, which judges every tight end 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 tight end, so a strength here is a strength against the whole position, not just his own team. Max Dowling's strongest measure is touchdowns per game at 0.3, 34th of 169 (the average is 0.2). His weakest is yards per target at 4.8, 149th of 169 (the average is 7.6).
Season production
Why it matters. Volume is the first sign of how much a coaching staff trusts a player. His receiving yards per game, 15, ranks 114th among 169 ranked tight ends.
Against every tight end
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 tight ends he sits, on average, in the 54th percentile for volume, 22nd for efficiency and 80th 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 8 games, Max Dowling's best came in week 5 against Eastern Michigan and his quietest in week 8 at UConn.
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 tight end on one scale, adjusted for the defenses or offenses he faced, so a rank here is comparable across conferences. Max Dowling is 122nd of 169 FBS tight ends and 12th of 16 in the Mid-American. Next up nationally is Tanner Lemaster of Eastern Michigan, 0.00 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. This is his best season by the Player Index so far, out of 3 we have.
Tight ends 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 Alex Herrera of Illinois State.
