Keith McDowell
Keith McDowell
About Keith
Expert Analysis
Caleb Holfoth | Prep Redzone Scout
McDowell is a player who was on the WL and had to sit out last year due to transfer rules – this season, he was a key figure on a Half Hollow Hills East offensive line that opened holes for one of the most dynamic offenses on Long Island.
McDowell is a big and wide IOL prospect. He has a thick, strong upper body and can slim down and continue to improve athletically.
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Read EvaluationCaleb Holfoth | Prep Redzone Scout
McDowell is no doubt an interesting evaluation. He checks the size box and, frankly, does by a good margin – OL coaches will be mixed on his build, but I think he looks good for a big IOL – compact upper half with a lot of length in his arms. He will need to refine a little bit, but nothing a college weight room can’t take care of.
On the field, there is a lot to like, but a couple of areas coaches will really try to get a look at during spring workouts and camps.
Raw power, McDowell is up there with anyone in New York, he really has a violent punch at the point of attack and can knock guys back significantly this also ties into his use of hands; he strikes the chest plate really well and when I saw him live, he had a block that knocked a guy back into a ref (injured the ref), and he did so with what looked like 60-70% effort.
Coaches will test his movement when they see him live. I thought he moved pretty well against West Babylon, but I saw it in a fairly one-sided game. Pad-Level, Get-Off, and Bend will be other things coaches try to pick at, but I have a straightforward bottom line here – McDowell has the power and violence to his game that is easily recruitable – the rest can be coached up and refined in the offseason.
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Read EvaluationCaleb Holfoth | Prep Redzone Scout
McDowell, formerly of Patchogue-Medford, moved to Half Hollow Hills East and, because of transferring, needed to sit out the 2023 season. At 6’5, 345lbs, he is one of the bigger OL prospects in the state, and getting some quality varsity film this year could put him amongst the state’s top offensive linemen.
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Read EvaluationJared Valluzzi | Prep Redzone Scout
One of Long Island’s biggest lineman received his first scholarship offer from LIU. With his potential at 6’4 and 345 pounds the 2026 prospect will have the ability to gain attention from other schools as well. He is a must watch guy this offseason and his development will be very fun to track. Mcdowell will be playing for a terrific Hills East team next season.
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Read EvaluationJared Valluzzi | Prep Redzone Scout
Physically one of the scariest forces out there standing at 6’4 and weighing in at 345 pounds. He simply overpowered some of the defensive lineman he went against. For his size, his footwork was solid and he kept up with agile defenders and utilized his strength to win matchups. He is just a 2026 prospect and he has a chance of being one of the highest recruited players in the state.
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Read EvaluationCaleb Holfoth | Prep Redzone Scout
Keith McDowell
Keith
McDowell
6'4" | 345 lbs | OL
Half Hollow Hills East | 2026
State
NY
has unprecedented size for a freshman. McDowell started last season and is over 325lbs. McDowell is all power and on the interior of the offensive line routinely brings guys to the ground. McDowell has good length where even his punch and arm extension can bring guys down and from tough angles and leverage. McDowell moves well inside the tackles and can get to LBs and even safeties but on the outside can struggle to reach the second level. McDowell has the size and strength to be noticed and should generate some interest. Finding the ideal playing weight to maximize that strength but also build some stronger foot speed and athleticism will be something that could really build McDowell’s trajectory as a prospect.
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Read EvaluationCaleb Holfoth | Prep Redzone Scout
Keith McDowell
Keith
McDowell
6'4" | 345 lbs | OL
Half Hollow Hills East | 2026
State
NY
was really solid throughout camp and his size was really tough for defensive lineman to beat. Mcdowell performed well and still shows great room for improvement in his footwork and fundamentals. Mcdowell did a really good job of using his strength and length to keep defensive lineman in his control. Mcdowell displayed one of the highest ceilings amongst the offensive line group at camp.
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Read EvaluationBrendan Mankarious | Prep Redzone Scout
What I love about
Keith McDowell
Keith
McDowell
6'4" | 345 lbs | OL
Half Hollow Hills East | 2026
State
NY
is all 6’4″ 320lbs of him. He is a big boy and proud of it. He possesses a physical nature and strong sense of the game. During indy he did a nice job moving the down lineman off his spot during zone double drills. To continue to play o-line at a high level McDowell must look to improve the quickness of feet. For instance he has a tendency to shove, rather than get into someones chest, when coming off of doubles because he is unable to get there. His first step is also a tad bit slow for me. These things can improve with ladder drills.
I project McDowell as a very effective DT. During one-on-one and two-on-one drills he did a really nice job with block destruction. He moved his hands, played half-man techniques, and kept working into the backfield.
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