AJC: Michael Bowman commits to Bama

by NJBammer on Sep 15, 2008 9:09 AM CDT Comment 5 comments

ed.- bumped from the fanposts. we'll get a full accounting of the current commits up tonight since the recruiting widget is two or three behind at the moment and getting further behind as we speak.

http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/shared-blogs/ajc/cfbrecruit/entries/2008/09/13/michael_bowman_1.html

Anyone know anything about this kid? Other than the mention that he's considered the top WR in GA, I couldn't find much about him. I think his size (6'4, 210) is good, and between him and Jones we should have a great passing attack over the next few years, assuming he can catch. Anyone seen him in action?

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Here it is

This is what I could find out, it is worth a look.

http://alabama.rivals.com/viewprospect.asp?pr_key=72972

Rammer Jammer----I hate orange. ROLL TIDE!!!!!!!!

by bamabass on Sep 15, 2008 9:13 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Bowman

He was apparently one of, if not the best prospect at the Tuscaloosa camp. I know the offense at his high school he plays on currently is a run based offense. His brother was Adarius Bowman, of Oklahoma State fame. Alabama played against him in Shrevport in 2006.

Rivals is really high on Michael after he attended their camp, but some of the other services are not.

by Kenny483 on Sep 15, 2008 9:33 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

There are some

Academic issues from what ive read. I know most of those comments are coming from UGA fans but they are still an issue.

Don't take life to seriously, you'll never get out alive.

by bammer on Sep 15, 2008 10:16 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

He is from the Chattanooga, TN area.

He is said to be the top receiver prospect in GA and had a lot of offers on the table, however none from UGA. He is big, hopefully he can gets his grades up and come in and catch some passes. Here is the story from the local paper.

Ridgeland High School receiver Mike Bowman made it official Saturday by committing to the University of Alabama, but not before getting the blessing of his mother, Tara.
Though the 6-foot-5 Bowman, who is listed by some recruiting services as the top receiving prospect in Georgia, went to the Alabama-Western Kentucky game prepared to commit to coach Nick Saban’s program, Tara Bowman had other thoughts. Until, that is, she had a serious talk to the coach.
"It’s hard to impress me, really, but I was really blown away talkng to Nick Saban," Tara Bowman said. "He’s really out to get the kids a degree. If they want to go to the NFL, that’s fine, but he really wants them to get a degree.
"It’s funny because on the way down there I told Mike, ‘You better not commit today,’ because I wanted him to take his visits and be sure he picks the right school. But once I got there, I let him know I liked it and that if he chose to commit, I was OK with it."
Mike Bowman let Coach Saban know of his decision in a short conversation following the Tide’s victory.
"He was very happy I made that decision," he said. "I liked everything about the school and the program. The academic center is great, and I like the way freshmen get a lot of playing time early. With me and (current freshman star receiver) Julio Jones, it’s going to be unbelievable. Who are you gonna double team?"
Bowman had made no secret over the past year that his first choice of college was the University of Georgia, but when UGA coaches failed to make an official offer, he decided to look elsewhere. The offer from Alabama was one of 30 he had to choose from, eventually picking the Tide over LSU, Clemson and Oregon.
The receiver also made it clear that as far as he’s concerned, the recruiting process is over.
"I feel great that it’s over," he said. "Now I can concentrate on getting my grades right and finishing school. I’m done with recruiting. Even if Georgia offered now, I wouldn’t take it."

by MDBSax on Sep 15, 2008 8:40 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I can help some . . .

I’ve seen him play and would liken his game to Julio’s with two major caveats: he’s not as fast and I’m not sure he has the same hands. Size and buildwise, very similar. He’s a very physical guy who can “go up and get it” downfield. He’ll be a great complement to the versatile backs/receivers you already have.

Georgia in fact did not offer him, even when he came out and told the AJC “if Georgia offers I’ll commit.” The reason was not that they don’t like him (he was the receivers’ MVP at the Mark Richt Camp this summer) or that his grades are that bad (he’s 2 points away on the ACT from what I’ve heard and will likely qualify). Some were worried that he might be a little bit of a headcase, but that’s mostly because of the problems his brother had at North Carolina (and the fact that his mother showed up to the reception for recruits before the Georgia/OK State game last year decked out in OSU orange, even after being asked not to, and created a minor furor).

The issue was likely one of timing. With two true freshman receivers (A.J. Greene and Tavarres King) seeing heavy time in a 9 receiver rotation, we don’t really need any receivers this year. And we’ll only have approximately 16-19 scholarships to give for 2009, 14 of which are already spoken for. If we were in greater need at his position or if Michael Bowman’s name happened to be Marlon Brown or Andre Debose, I think Georgia would have offered. But with the numbers being as close as they are, it was just too great a risk to take. Make no mistake, you guys got a good one. He’s not likely to ever be your #1 receiver, but he’ll be a solid option, especially if he keeps developing his route running.

by MaconDawg on Sep 18, 2008 10:39 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs