NFL Legacy Troy Bowles Talks Georgia, Alabama, Auburn and What’s Next

TAMPA, Fla. — Troy Bowles kicked off the weekend DR Sportz 7-on-7 event in a powerful means for Crew Tampa. The NFL legacy, who’s the son of Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Todd Bowles, broke up a pair of passes and intercepted one other to cap the kickoff sport for the eventual event champions. 

The all-around sport for Bowles, a rising-senior recruit at Tampa (Fla.) Jesuit Excessive College, speaks for itself. He’s a commanding presence with the fashionable mixture of physicality and athleticism to undertaking as a three-down participant, a part of the rationale 40 scholarship presents are already in to him within the recruiting class of 2023. 

Previous to the weekend event, the standout linebacker accomplished a busy spring swing on the unofficial go to entrance, together with stops at Georgia, Alabama, Auburn, Florida and Oklahoma. 

The journey to Athens was an opportunity for time spent with one of many nation’s high linebacker recruiters.

“Positively coach (Glenn) Schuman,” Bowles advised Sports activities Illustrated. “He is a down-to-earth individual, he tells me every little thing straight as it’s, even when it is not what I need to hear. He is straight to the core on every little thing. We discuss lots. 

“I like him and coach (Kirby) Good, and every little thing they’ve to supply.”

Whereas in Tuscaloosa, Bowles related with Nick Saban from an in-person perspective for the primary time. He earned a proposal from the champion coach whereas on campus.

“Everyone needs to fulfill Nick Saban and every little thing,” he mentioned. “However simply the tradition round there, it is all about successful, clearly. It was cool to go down there first-hand and see the services, the coaches and the way they run issues down there. 

“Speaking to Saban was cool, he is a tough dude to learn (laughing). It is cool speaking to him. He mentioned they like me at center ‘backer, they like how I run, hit and that I’ve a nostril for the ball.”

Iron Bowl rival Auburn obtained the Floridian on campus subsequent, and other than a brand new connection to Bryan Harsin’s employees, the Tigers have lengthy held normal consideration courting again to this system’s final nationwide title. 

“I cherished it,” Bowles mentioned. “Rising up, that was my college due to Cam Newton. So it was so cool going up there to see every little thing. In addition they have the linebackers coach from the previous Florida employees (Christian Robinson). We’re nonetheless fairly locked-in and funky.”

The Sooners hadn’t been concerned for Bowles till the brand new teaching employees was put in place. 

“I like them lots, too, particularly since they obtained coach (Brent) Venables,” he mentioned. “As quickly as he obtained there, he supplied me and I prefer it. Additionally the defensive coordinator, coach (Ted) Roof, and among the Clemson guys they took over there like coach (Todd) Bates.”

There’s a creating pipeline between Tampa Jesuit, which captured a state title in 2021, and the in-state Florida Gators. Tight finish Jonathan Odom is without doubt one of the former Tigers on campus in Gainesville at the moment. 

“It looks like it is a new tradition down there,” Bowles mentioned. “Coach (Billy) Napier has quite a lot of issues happening. The gamers, I discuss to among the gamers there as a result of some performed with me — and so they say they prefer it. 

“All of the gamers are fired up for what he’s going to carry to the desk.”

The star prospect says he’ll concentrate on spring soccer after the busy go to swing, the place loads of coaches will probably be by to see Bowles and the state champions in motion through the coming weeks, however no visits are at the moment scheduled thereafter. 

Official visits are to be taken, probably within the month of June, although locations are but to be decided. Bowles did notice a pair of packages he wish to see earlier than a verbal dedication is made. 

“I am attempting to get again to Clemson and I am attempting to go to Michigan State for the primary time, I like coach (Mel) Tucker,” he mentioned.

Bowles has been constant on the timeline for narrowing 40 scholarship presents to only one. He needs to wrap up the recruiting course of earlier than Jesuit begins its title protection in August.