Bowman lands Pac-10 offer
Gerald Bowman recently picked up an offer from UCLA and the Woodland Hills (Calif.) Pierce C.C. safety is excited about the Bruins because he recently stopped by for a spring practice but he's not in any position to commit to any school just yet.
Bowman, a 6-foot-1, 210-pound prospect, wants to wait things out in his recruitment and said he wouldn't commit right away no matter which program offered.
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"It's a big deal being able to have these opportunities," Bowman said. "It's not more about me being out here in California. Every offer I pick up is definitely important to me because I have options.
"I know (UCLA has) a good reputation for academics. If I were to go there I'd be getting a good degree. The tradition of the school is good and I know a lot of players were successful there."
Bowman's offer list continues to grow. Arizona, Arizona State, Cal, Colorado, Ole Miss, Oregon State, South Florida, UCLA, Utah and West Virginia have now offered him and USC, Oklahoma, Arkansas and now Tennessee are showing interest.
He's been in a lot of contact with the Trojans and Sooners but neither team has offered yet. His coach has talked with the Razorbacks and Bowman recently just started talking with Tennessee, too.
"I've just been in contact with all those schools," Bowman said. "I talked to Tennessee (Monday). The defensive coordinator e-mailed me and I talked to him and they're really excited.
"As far as USC, coach (Ed) Orgeron has been recruiting me. Every time I talk to him he keeps saying he wants me to be a Trojan and he keeps saying to do well in the classroom. They'll be out here in May for our spring practices as well as Oklahoma.
"As far as Arkansas, I haven't talked to them yet. My head coach has been in contact with them and I have to give them a call."
No matter what, though, Bowman said he plans to be patient in his recruitment and not rush a commitment. Before making his pledge, Bowman wants to make sure everything is the perfect fit and that means taking some visits.
"I'm still going to wait it out and see," he said. "I don't want to make a decision just based on the name of the school. I want to see it for myself and have the opportunity to go up there and see the atmosphere and talk to players."