Caden Dowler, Montana State DB: the 2026 season story
Caden Dowler is a senior defensive back for Montana State (Big Sky). He ranks 874th of 1,841 defensive backs in Division I by the Player Index, which judges every defensive 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 defensive back, so a strength here is a strength against the whole position, not just his own team. Caden Dowler's strongest measure is interceptions per game at 0.26, 67th of 921 (the average is 0.08). His weakest is passes defended per game at 0.00, 795th of 921 (the average is 0.31).
Season production
Why it matters. Volume is the first sign of how much a coaching staff trusts a player. His tackles per game, 2.1, ranks 828th among 921 ranked defensive backs.
Against every defensive 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 defensive backs he sits, on average, in the 10th percentile for volume, 30th for efficiency and 47th 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 5 games, Caden Dowler's best came in week 9 against Cal Poly and his quietest in week 8 against Weber State.
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 defensive back on one scale, adjusted for the defenses or offenses he faced, so a rank here is comparable across conferences. Caden Dowler is 345th of 920 FCS defensive backs and 32nd of 91 in the Big Sky. Next up nationally is JaiTeriyas Robinson of Arkansas-Pine Bluff, 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 Montana State, 88th of 1,153 defensive backs.
Defensive 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 Kason Hooks of Charleston Southern.
