Rated as the second-best outside linebacker in the 2023 class, Drayk Bowen will be staying close to home and playing for Notre Dame in college. The Andrean (IN) standout announced a top five in August, before recently settling on a final three of Clemson, Notre Dame and Auburn.
Not only will Bowen play linebacker for the Irish, he will be starring on the baseball diamond as well. The two-sport athlete's desire to play both sports in college really helped Notre Dame's cause, as coaches from both sports made Bowen a priority throughout his recruitment.
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CLASS OF 2022 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Position | Team | State
CLASS OF 2023 RANKINGS: Rivals100
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What the Fighting Irish are getting:
Drayk Bowen is a physical player and explodes through the point of contact when tackling the ball carrier. He has great overall athleticism, can play in space, and brings a pass rush component to his game as well. Listed as an outside linebacker, Bowen also has the size and ability to play inside at the next level. His versatility makes him a fit for any defensive scheme that Notre Dame could choose to run in the coming years. Bowen is as smart as it gets, and is exactly the type of prospect teams seek when looking for a player to quarterback their defense. He has the skill-set, intangibles, and overall upside to play football beyond college. Bowen is the type of kid, and player, that the Notre Dame fanbase will easily be able to rally around. This is a big recruiting win for the Fighting Irish.
Why it's big for Notre Dame:
Landing Bowen is big for Notre Dame on multiple fronts, and the baseball team makes out as good as anyone with his commitment. Notre Dame is a national brand with different standards, so they don't have to win their home state every year. That being said, when they can land the top players from their state, it can go a long way towards the success of the program. Look no further than current OL Blake Fisher as a recent example of an Indiana kid making an immediate impact. Bowen's commitment also keeps the forward momentum of Notre Dame's recruiting efforts going, and helps solidify the linebacker room for years to come.
