McDowell has been considered a potential first-round NFL draft pick, though he told reporters before the season that he wouldn’t leave MSU unless he was a top three selection.
The 6-foot-6, 276-pound had 34 tackles and 1.5 sacks in nine games this season while bouncing between defensive tackle and defensive end. He had 7.5 sacks and 90 tackles over 36 games at MSU, including 24.5 for lost yardage.