Bowers began his college career as one of the most hyped recruits in recent memory – and up until this season, he had struggled to live up to the hype. An outstanding combination of strength and athleticism – he has become and elite pass rusher while being able to control the point of attack and anchor against the run. Bowers is for sure impressive physical specimen.
Bowers has been through a lot – the death of Gaines Adams and his father – and persevered to become the elite talent everyone expected coming out of high school. Has played through pain – MCL and PCL injury – and has proven he will fight to stay on the field. Still, being a one year standout may be a concern for some teams.
He is versatile and has lined up inside and outside on the line and even has dropped some into coverage and not looked lost. Could give more effort on every play – though he has improved by leaps and bounds from his freshman season. Shows good awareness and is rarely fooled – does a good job of locating and tracking the ball. Really dedicated himself in the offseason, losing weight and focusing on getting better.
Bowers is incredibly strong and can overpower most offensive tackles with combination of upper and lower body strength. He’s a solid tackler who will wrap up and use strength to bring down the ball carrier. He has long arms and strong hands and can keep blockers off his body – while using them to reach out and grab the ball carrier to wrap up.
Bowers does not have a great first step and must work on his timing and being more explosive at the snap. Shows a well developed swim move and can rip and club to get by blockers he doesn’t overpower. Has solid speed for his size – but not elite – although burst to the Quarterback is well above-average.
He’s not an elite athlete on the level of a Julius Peppers – but compares favorably both sizewise and athletically to him. He was unblockable at times – particularly against Maryland.
Bowers has above average instincts and awareness for the position and does a good job distinguishing between the run and pass and is rarely fooled by play action. Versatility is a plus and he can fit into and excel in any defensive system; in the 4-3 he can play end and swing inside to tackle on passing downs and in the 3-4 is strong enough to play end and shows enough athletic ability to possibly play Outside Linebacker (though this would not be his best fit and could struggle).
Bowers’s super talented player with unlimited potential and he’s worthy of being the 1st Overall pick and a future All-Pro.
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