Troy Bowles picking up slack as Michigan deals with linebacker injuries

Michigan Wolverines football sophomore linebacker Cole Sullivan is having an impressive season, but he went down with an upper body injury during the first half of a 31-20 win over Michigan State over the weekend. As a result, others had to step up, including junior Troy Bowles, who logged a career-high 25 defensive snaps.

Senior Jimmy Rolder was the star, earning Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week honors by registering 10 tackles, including 2 for loss, with 1 sack and a pass breakup on fourth down. However, Bowles slid into the role that Sullivan normally plays as a backup who sees a lot of time.

“It was great,” Bowles said of the experience. “I also like playing away games, especially rivals, getting to see the other fans not too happy.”

Speaking with the media after practice Tuesday, the 6-foot-0, 230-pound Bowles indicated that he expects to have a bigger role going forward, but not just because of Sullivan’s injury.

“With Cole and Jimmy going down, it’s obviously a detriment to the room a little bit, but we also have guys like [Nathaniel] Owusu[-Boateng], a freshman, Chase Taylor and me stepping up, so I think we should be good.”

Rolder finished the game against Michigan State, but it’s possible he suffered an injury that went unnoticed during the game or at some point before Tuesday evening.

Taylor and Owusu-Boateng have been talked highly of within the program for months, but neither have played much this season. Taylor has appeared in three games on defense, logging 23 snaps — 13 against New Mexico, 9 versus Central Michigan and 1 in a loss at USC. Owusu-Boateng has seen time on special teams in two games, against Wisconsin and Washington.

“I’ve seen them taking reps more seriously, taking meetings more seriously,” Bowles said of the freshmen. “Obviously, seeing Jimmy and Cole go down, it’s a real possibility that you could play, so you better get on your stuff. I’ve seen that they’ve been doing that these past couple weeks.”

Bowles has blocked a punt and become a key player for Michigan on special teams, but hasn’t been a focal point on defense. A transfer from Georgia, Bowles understood the Wolverines had returning starters at his position but still wanted to battle for playing time in Ann Arbor.

“I’m always trying to get better, and I know what they do defensively here, so I knew it would be a great learning experience, whether I was getting playing time off the bat or not,” the Michigan junior said.

Junior safety Brandyn Hillman has enjoyed seeing what Bowles has brought to the defense.

“I like Troy,” Hillman said. “Troy’s a good spirit, flys around. He knows football, you know his dad. Good teammate, good player, good friend on and off the field. He’s making plays out there. Ball player, like I call him. Ball player.”

The Tampa, Fla., native and son of Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles has racked up 11 tackles, including 2 for loss, 1 sack and a forced fumble this season. He was a reserve and special teamer at Georgia, redshirting in 2024, so he has two seasons of eligibility remaining after this one.