Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1491978
BLUEGOLDONLINE.COM MARCH 2023 45 2023 FOOTBALL RECRUITING ISSUE If there was a prospect interested in Notre Dame, chances are he heard from Bowen on social media — at minimum. If he visited, Bowen was often there to meet him and give him the pitch from a fellow recruit's perspective. He grew close with eventual commits and even prospects that headed elsewhere by playing Madden and other video games with them. "I try to get to know everyone who likes Notre Dame," Bowen said. "I try to build that relationship with the other recruits. If it works out for Notre Dame, great. If not, then I still have that rela- tionship." Bowen grew so committed to being an extension of Freeman's vision that, by Blue & Gold Illustrated's count, he visited campus nearly 20 times. Most were after he committed. He was at every 2022 home game. The Sept. 17 contest versus California was the same day as his senior homecoming dance at Andrean. Bowen, though, had business to handle before his social life. He made the trip and stayed for a half to help the Irish recruit another target before dart- ing back home to the dance. "He wants Notre Dame to be great," Jeremy said. "That's what the nudge was the entire time. I want to make where I'm going great." That's sparked by his loyalty and his drive. It's also motivated by a family motto: leave a legacy. "A legacy is where you change the landscape of where you're at," Jeremy said. "He wanted to do that in North- west Indiana." Bowen understands he's following many who created a legacy, especially at linebacker. Notre Dame has had three Butkus Award winners in the past 11 seasons: Manti Te'o (2012), Jaylon Smith (2015) and Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (2020). The Irish have also produced several two-sport successes, from Jeff Samardzija to Pat Connaughton to Cole Kmet, which added to Notre Dame's ap- peal. But Bowen isn't going to Notre Dame to be his version of Smith or Kmet. He's going to be himself. No one in the foot- ball or baseball offices want anything else. "I always tell him he should be really proud of himself," head baseball coach Shawn Stiffler said. "The stuff he's say- ing and putting out there is really high level, and it means a lot to us because we all feel that way." ✦ Only two members of Notre Dame's 2023 class are ranked higher in the On3 Consensus than Bowen (No. 103 overall). PHOTO BY CHAD SIMMONS/ON3.COM DRAYK BOWEN LINEBACKER 6-1 · 232 ANDREAN H.S. ST. JOHN, IND. RANKINGS STARS NAT. POS. STATE ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ 211 20 2 ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ 78 7 1 ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ 48 2 1 ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ 217 20 2 STATISTICS • In 55 career games, recorded 379 tackles, 54 tackles for loss, 16 sacks, 6 interceptions, 6 passes broken up, 6 fumble recoveries, 10 forced fumbles, 4 blocked punts and 3 blocked field goals. He also returned 1 fumble recovery and 2 interceptions for touchdowns during his career. • As a senior in 2022, posted 144 total stops, 19 tackles for loss, 5 sacks, 2 interceptions, 5 passes broken up, 3 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery and 1 blocked punt. Offensively, had 242 carries for 1,784 yards and 26 touchdowns, plus 10 recep- tions for 228 yards and 3 scores. • As a junior in 2021, totaled 105 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, 3 interceptions, 2 forced fumbles, 1 punt blocked, 2 blocked field goals. Offensively, had 155 rushes for 965 yards and 18 touchdowns, plus 17 catches for 117 yards and 2 touchdowns. NOTABLE • 2022 Butkus Award winner as nation's best prep linebacker. • 2022 All-American Bowl participant and Defen- sive Player of the Year. • 2022 MaxPreps All-America first-team defense. • 2022 and 2021 Gatorade Indiana Football Player of the Year. • 2022 Indiana Preps Player of the Year. • 2022 Indianapolis Star's Mr. Football. • 2022 MaxPreps Indiana Player of the Year. • 2022 Post-Tribune Player of the Year. • 2021 MaxPreps High School Football Junior All- America second-team defense. • 2021 Indiana 2A state champion. • 2020 MaxPreps Indiana All-State second team defense. • Plans to play baseball at Notre Dame. • Ranked as the No. 9 baseball player in Indiana and No. 497 overall prospect nationally per PBR Indiana. RECRUITMENT • Committed to Notre Dame on Nov. 3, 2021, over offers from Ohio State, LSU, Auburn, Tennes- see and others. • Enrolled at Notre Dame in January. • Recruited by Marcus Freeman during his time as defensive coordinator. • Visited Notre Dame 19 times, including his of- ficial visit on Nov. 5, 2022. • Was on campus for every Irish home football game after giving his commitment. 2023 PROJECTION • Could break into the linebacker rotation as a true freshman and certainly could be used on special teams. THEY SAID IT Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman: "What attracted me to Drayk was he was the best player in Indiana. He won Mr. Football in Indiana. Then you see his film and you see his work ethic, you meet his family, and you say, 'This is a Notre Dame kid.' "He's going to be great. I was recruiting him last year as the defensive coordinator. He's come to every single home game. He loves this place, and he's probably our best recruiter." Highland High School head coach Pete Koulia- nos: "Drayk is a phenomenal football talent. He is so big, fast and physical; you have to game plan for him on both sides of the ball. "He carries the ball 20-plus times a game and makes impact plays on defense and special teams." National recruiting analyst Tom Lemming: "It's very rare to see a guy with his size who also has the kind of speed, quickness, body control and balance that he does. Bowen takes great angles to the ball and is a sure tackler. He also has the kind of lateral mobility college scouts love to see. "A very active and tough competitor, Bowen never backs down. He is consistently making tack- les on running plays and in space. Bowen is no doubt a three-down backer with exceptional skills."