DeJour Dowell had a great day.

Not only did Pittsburg get to commence in-season practices Monday, Stephen F. Austin let the senior receiver know his football career certainly will not end at the end of the campaign. The Lumberjacks program presented Dowell his very first Division I college football scholarship opportunity.

Pittsburg head coach Brad Baca reported the news to ETSN.fm.

Dowell (6-1, 199) joins teammate and fellow receiver Keontae Burns as a recruited Pittsburg player. Just a sophomore, Burns holds an offer from Southern Mississippi and has not yet played a varsity snap.

Dowell leads an overhauled receiving unit that needs someone to step up and replace Damien Porter. Dowell recorded 595 yards and five touchdowns on 37 catches last season to Porter's leading 909 yards and seven scores on 54 touches.

Porter accepted an invitation to join Southeastern Oklahoma State's Division II program after the 2015 season ended.

Dowell attended the invite-only ETSN.fm + APEC Football Recruiting Combine in May. Highlights of his performance included a 4.28-second, laser-timed pro agility run and a 4.78-second time in the 40-yard dash.

Situated in Nacogdoches, Stephen F. Austin is very involved in the local recruiting scene. Former Pittsburg linebacker Fre'Zarian Harrison was one of four East Texas players last year to join the collegiate program upon graduation.

The Lumberjacks endured a down year last season after qualifying for the FCS playoffs in 2014. They dropped back to 4-7 overall, but did win four of their final six games to finish in a three-team tie for third place in the Southland Conference.

Then-No. 3 TCU of the FBS accounted for one of Stephen F. Austin's losses.

Head coach Clint Conque is back for a third season in Nacogdoches with a total record of 12-12. Prior to joining the Lumberjacks, he guided Central Arkansas to two FCS playoffs appearances in addition to two Division II playoff appearances before his former program made the jump to the FCS.

Stephen F. Austin will open its season Sept. 3 at Texas Tech while Pittsburg begins competition Aug. 26 on the road against Crandall.

Dowell, like all high school football players entering their senior year, will become eligible to sign with any program that offers him in February.

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