South Mississippi’s top football prospect has announced where he’ll be heading after high school.

Picayune running back Dante Dowdell committed to Oregon on Friday before the Maroon Tide’s spring game, choosing the Ducks over 24 other offers, including Ole Miss, Tennessee and Arkansas.

“I just want to establish my own legacy,” Dowdell told the Sun Herald. “Everybody is big on staying home, ya know, like Ole Miss. I just want to establish my own legacy.”

Dowdell is the seventh-ranked player in the class of 2023 in Mississippi, according to 247sports, and the top ranked player from the Coast.

The reigning 5A state title MVP visited Arkansas, Georgia Tech, Alabama and Ole Miss before choosing Oregon.

“It feels good to get (the commitment) out of the way and start building a relationship with that school,” Dowdell said. “I liked their running back coach (Carlos Locklyn) a lot, so that’s what sold me, the type of person he is and the type of coach he is.”

Picayune’s backfield features Dowdell, the state’s No. 1 running back prospect, and burgeoning star Chris Davis. A rising junior, Davis is beginning to benefit from the attention on Dowdell.

Davis has picked up offers from Mississippi State, Florida State and even one from Oregon. But Dowdell says he won’t meddle in his teammate’s college decision.

“I’m going to try and let him do his own thing,” Dowdell said. “I don’t know what he’s going to do, but I’m going to let him do his own thing.”

Dowdell rushed for 2,555 yards last season with 28 scores, while Davis ran for 953 yards and 17 touchdowns.

Biloxi wide receiver Duran Parish also made his college decision recently, committing to Vanderbilt.

Another South Mississippi star, St. Patrick shooting guard Nick Krass, is also heading to the state of Oregon. Krass signed his letter of intent to play basketball at Oregon State.