'23 IN LB Drayk Bowen (Notre Dame Signee)

[Rocketman84]

Look at his scouting report. His pass coverage is the weakest part of his game. Not a huge deal, but it's out there.

I mean, is he even in the Top 20 LB in this draft? It just seems like it would be a bad move to declare.

Bad is an understatement at this point, he's listed at 7th Rd/UDFA on way too many boards.

 

[SDIrishFan]

I think we overestimate how much this means to kids in today's world.

Maybe, but if I had to pick 25 players on the team that this is the case, Bowen wouldn’t be on that list.

 

[EvilleIrish]

Maybe, but if I had to pick 25 players on the team that this is the case, Bowen wouldn’t be on that list.

And you're probably correct. Would be stunned if Bowen made the jump.

 

[ab2cmiller]

Didn't realize he is on the fence about coming back, leaning yes...but also may declare for the draft.

Any chance that Bowen is simply trying to apply leverage for more NIL dollars?

 

[BleedBlueGold]

Old man rant:

I do miss the days where coming back for a senior year or even a 5th year in order to win a championship was of utmost importance to players. Unless you were a surefire first rounder, it almost wasn't even a question about returning.

Fellas! Look at the 2026 schedule and look at the talent and depth of the ND roster. Stick with it. Come back for 2026 and win the whole damn thing. ND is literally so close. This isn't ASU or Stanford or North Carolina. Make the team-first-sacrifice and go win! Seriously, depending on some of these kids' family situations, I'd be saying "Hey, go take less money in 2026 and let the staff go buy a few game changers. Go win a championship! Figure out the rest later."

 

[ViewsFromTheDome]

Probably not gonna get a whole lot better in coverage. So he can stay, risk major injury and ultimately still be an early day 3 pick.

This makes no sense. Kiser JOK Betrand Marist all greatly improved their draft positions by coming back to school

 

[EvilleIrish]

Old man rant:

I do miss the days where coming back for a senior year or even a 5th year in order to win a championship was of utmost importance to players. Unless you were a surefire first rounder, it almost wasn't even a question about returning.

Fellas! Look at the 2026 schedule and look at the talent and depth of the ND roster. Stick with it. Come back for 2026 and win the whole damn thing. ND is literally so close. This isn't ASU or Stanford or North Carolina. Make the team-first-sacrifice and go win! Seriously, depending on some of these kids' family situations, I'd be saying "Hey, go take less money in 2026 and let the staff go buy a few game changers. Go win a championship! Figure out the rest later."

I'm afraid those days are long gone. Just take a look at the transfer situations that are happening in HS sports now.

 

[jprue24]

This makes no sense. Kiser JOK Betrand Marist all greatly improved their draft positions by coming back to school

Might make a little more sense than you realize.

Career starts through their penultimate seasons...
Kiser - 18 starts in 5 years. Not a starter, came back to start first season
JOK - 13 starts in 3 years, 1 year starter, came back to start a second season
Bertrand - 23 starts in 4 years, 2 year starter, came back to start a third season
Marist - 16 starts in 4 years, 1 year starter, came back to start a second season

Bowan - 26 starts in 3 years, 2 year starter, would be coming back to start a third season.

Only Bertrand came back after starting for two years. I don't think Bowan should go, but there is some flux in the room (position coach), and he may get some good feedback from teams.

 

[rtrn2glory]

No matter when he goes, he'll be hard to find a fit in the league just cuz I don't think athletically he's elite. He's an outstanding football player and 20 years ago would be fine at the professional level, but in today's game he'll be asked to cover more of the field, run sideline to sideline, and play a lot of man to man. His instincts are outstanding, but at the pro level play callers will find him and scheme him up to a disadvantage in the passing game.

 

[BleedBlueGold]

Isn't it Bowen who has a personal goal of wanting to be a Captain for multiple years?

 

[stlnd01]

Isn't it Bowan who has a personal goal of wanting to be a Captain for multiple years?

He has been a leader of this class from the jump. And, yeah, draft-wise he's not likely a high pick. I think he's the sort to whom you give a good package and tell him he can lead us to glory next season.

 

[Kingbish01]

Might make a little more sense than you realize.

Career starts through their penultimate seasons...
Kiser - 18 starts in 5 years. Not a starter, came back to start first season
JOK - 13 starts in 3 years, 1 year starter, came back to start a second season
Bertrand - 23 starts in 4 years, 2 year starter, came back to start a third season
Marist - 16 starts in 4 years, 1 year starter, came back to start a second season

Bowan - 26 starts in 3 years, 2 year starter, would be coming back to start a third season.

Only Bertrand came back after starting for two years. I don't think Bowan should go, but there is some flux in the room (position coach), and he may get some good feedback from teams.

And let's be honest outside of JOK, the other three (still 3rd/4th rounders) aren't stars they are serviceable NFL guys. I don't wanna use exact quotes as I'll look like a douchebag running right to the Internet. But Bowen was told by NFL scouts he has a lot of 1st round traits, but his coverage skills are what's gonna have him get drafted in the 3/4. I think it comes down to if he will be developed better at ND or the NFL. Again word is he's leaning to coming back.

 

[Padomer9]

Old man rant:

I do miss the days where coming back for a senior year or even a 5th year in order to win a championship was of utmost importance to players. Unless you were a surefire first rounder, it almost wasn't even a question about returning.

Fellas! Look at the 2026 schedule and look at the talent and depth of the ND roster. Stick with it. Come back for 2026 and win the whole damn thing. ND is literally so close. This isn't ASU or Stanford or North Carolina. Make the team-first-sacrifice and go win! Seriously, depending on some of these kids' family situations, I'd be saying "Hey, go take less money in 2026 and let the staff go buy a few game changers. Go win a championship! Figure out the rest later."

I'm really, really hoping they use the same concept/plan that Michigan and OSU (PSU tried using this year and thank God they weren't successful) used to get their Natty's. Bring back everyone that is flirting with the draft and add some major pieces out of the portal.

 

[ViewsFromTheDome]

And let's be honest outside of JOK, the other three (still 3rd/4th rounders) aren't stars they are serviceable NFL guys. I don't wanna use exact quotes as I'll look like a douchebag running right to the Internet. But Bowen was told by NFL scouts he has a lot of 1st round traits, but his coverage skills are what's gonna have him get drafted in the 3/4. I think it comes down to if he will be developed better at ND or the NFL. Again word is he's leaning to coming back.

Not sure what this has to do with anything. The point is they all greatly increased their draft position by coming back to ND

 

[Kingbish01]

Not sure what this has to do with anything. The point is they all greatly increased their draft position by coming back to ND

Oh sorry I wasn't more clear ...Everyone you mentioned outside of JOK was 4th rounder irregardless if they came back or not. Nobody played themselves into a lottery pick, so I feel "greatly improved" was a stretch.

 

[irishandy]

I thought Bowen was better the last 6 games this year, I think if he goes pro he is a day 3 pick.

Bowen should definitley come back for next season to better his stock and I think he could be 2nd round pick for the 2027 draft.

 

[bpob55]

 

[Kingbish01]

Smart move coming back!

 

[BeatSC]

Smart move coming back!

Very smart. Not sure how he would test at the combine. Could go undrafted. Needs to build a resume that doesn’t include giving up winning TD on final play to a TE.

 

[stlnd01]

Run it back? Shit that sounds like next year’s his last year before the NFL. Why can’t we have nice things?

 

[KPENN]

Buckle up boys

 

[tko]

Any mention of baseball? My guess is he skips the upcoming season to be all in on football?

 

[BigOunce]

Any mention of baseball? My guess is he skips the upcoming season to be all in on football?

I'm pretty sure he didn't play last spring (2025) either. I think his baseball days are behind him.

 

[Irish#1]

Very smart. Not sure how he would test at the combine. Could go undrafted. Needs to build a resume that doesn’t include giving up winning TD on final play to a TE.

Drew Tranquill has done fine in the NFL and he wasn’t as good as Drake.

 

[tko]

I'm pretty sure he didn't play last spring (2025) either. I think his baseball days are behind him.

Man, where does the time go? Thank you for clarifying.

 

[irishandy]

Great move for Bowen to comeback- this gives him an opportunity to finish unfinished business at ND and raise his stock for the 2027 NFL draft.

 

[arrowryan]

I didn’t even think this was in question. Players entertaining the idea of leaving early when they’re, at best, a 4th round pick will never make sense to me.

 

[jprue24]

I didn’t even think this was in question. Players entertaining the idea of leaving early when they’re, at best, a 4th round pick will never make sense to me.

Dreams, man. College isn't the highest level.

 

[Huntr]

Bowen played through a torn labrum in his hip for a significant portion of the year and recently underwent surgery at the Andrews Sports Medicine & Orthopaedic Center in Birmingham, Alabama, to correct it.

Expected to be out all spring.

 

[NDpendent]

One of those bumps that you could be confident he wasn't leaving