Dawson Downing wanted more.
He was a senior at Bishop Miege High School in Mission, Kansas, and had just wrapped up a senior season in which he rushed for 1,904 yards and 42 touchdowns en route to a 4A state title. The year before, he ran to a similar tune, carving up defenses for 1,955 yards and 31 touchdowns, winning the state championship along the way.
Yet, nobody cared. More accurately, nobody that Downing wanted to care was interested in the 6-foot, 205 pound, zero-star recruit.
So, Downing looked at schools that were interested in him, one of which was Northwest Missouri State, a Division II powerhouse.