Despite team struggles, Notre Dame LB commit Drayk Bowen delivers in first senior year game
While Merrillville (Ind.) Andrean (0-1) could not get anything going on the offensive side of the ball on Friday night against Merrillville (Ind.) High (1-0), the team’s star linebacker, running back and punter surely stood out in the first game of his senior season.
Notre Dame commit Drayk Bowen is 6-2 and 231 pounds, making him easy to spot. In his debut of his final year of high school football in Northwest Indiana, Bowen recorded nine tackles, including a sack, in a 27-7 loss.
“On offense we need to pick it up,” Bowen said. “We got a little tired. I’m hoping to get more involved, but a lot of stuff wasn’t going our way tonight. They had a couple of defensive linemen who were stunting, moving.”
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He was pretty happy with his individual performance, although the fierce competitor knows there is always room for improvement.
“I thought I did pretty well,” the senior said. “My reads were good, I just need to work on my tackling a little bit. But overall it was good.”
In addition to traditional linebacker, running back and punter, Bowen was used as a pure edge rusher and a tight end on a few plays on Friday. The former position move started last season during postseason play, and given Bowen’s speed off the edge, the coaches decided to use him there more often. Expect to see more of it.
“They plan to move me around, spread me out, and see what the defense is doing,” Bowen said.
The linebacker committed to Notre Dame last November and has since been a major spokesperson for his class, particularly on Twitter. According to the On3 Consensus rankings, Bowen is the top player from Indiana, No. 6 linebacker and No. 86 player overall in the 2023 class. He is one of four top-100 commits in Notre Dame’s 2023 class, which is ranked fifth nationally.
In 2021, Bowen notched 105 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, three sacks and three interceptions. He also posted more than 1,000 yards and 20 touchdowns on offense.
While 2A Andrean couldn’t keep up with crosstown rival 5A Merrillville, don’t expect many blowouts of this team down the stretch. The 59ers are the reigning state champions and will challenge for it again this fall.
Bowen and Co. will be back on the field on Friday, as they host Crown Point at Father Eckert Stadium.
