Name: Alan Bowman
Height: 6'4"
Weight: 205 lbs.
High school: Grapevine (TX) Grapevine
Position: Quarterback
Class: Fifth year senior
Jersey number: #15
Last year: I ranked Bowman #41a and said he would be a backup quarterback (LINK). He completed 2/4 passes for 9 yards and 1 touchdown.
TTB Rating: N/A
Bowman graduated after three years at Texas Tech and transferred to Michigan for the 2021 season, I guess in the hopes of finding a starting role. Unfortunately for him, Cade McNamara proved to be a superior quarterback, and so did freshman J.J. McCarthy. Perhaps it's just the poor quality of the Big 12 - or just a lack of reps - but I couldn't help watching Bowman in his limited reps and thinking, "I can't believe this guy used to be a starting quarterback." He doesn't have much arm strength and looks to be slow to process things at times.
Perhaps it's just a lack of reps as the #3 or #4 quarterback, but Bowman looked worse in the spring game than walk-on Davis Warren. I think Bowman has moved down to the #4 spot, and it's rare that the #4 guy spends much time on the field. Even the #3 guy in 2021 only played in blowout situations toward the end of games. Add in the possibility that Michigan uses freshman Alex Orji as a Wildcat/running quarterback, and Bowman's snaps may dwindle even more.
Prediction: Backup quarterback
I can't see Orji in any QB role at all. How can you fix that accuracy in a few months?
ReplyDeleteI said/thought the same thing about Dan Villari, but he played in 4 games, ran the ball 9 times, and I think had 3 passing attempts. Orji could be the Villari of 2022.
DeleteWell, you've speculated that he will end up somewhere other than QB, maybe LB. He is big and fast. Maybe LB would be good for him.
DeleteMost of these position switchers spend at least a season at the spot they were recruited. Zach Gentry spent a year at QB before becoming a TE. Chase Winovich spent a year at LB. Michael Barrett spent a year at RB/WR. Etc. So Orji could be a running QB before moving to defense.
DeleteSeems like Zach Gentry should be happy he was switched to TE. He's in the pros, and is starting to get playing time. But who am I to know for sure where he would have been better, QB or TE.
DeleteWe thought we'd need him. Things really worked out last year!
ReplyDeleteIf he does play as little a Vallari, he will probably transfer like Villari.
ReplyDeleteNah ... dude is halfway toward his Master's, and has zero chance at the League
DeleteI think joeseph dreamed dreams is talking about Orji being like Villari, not Bowman.
DeleteYes, I meant Orji. I clicked on the wrong reply.
DeleteI thought Bowman would play a huge role last year and end up starting games but QB play was WAY better than I hoped and everyone stayed healthy. Happy to be wrong on that one.
ReplyDeleteBowman shifts deeper into the background this year but good to see him around the program helping out as a veteran presence. Seems like he's a valued contributor even though his stat production is inconsequential.
Yeah, Bowman seems like a high quality guy academically and personality-wise. I don't know how involved he will be with the Michigan community after he moves on, but I think he's going to be successful in the professional world.
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