colucat
05-03-2007, 05:12 PM
From Columbus Dispatch today:
Bowie's football career on track
Northland, UC grad drafted by Raiders
Thursday, May 3, 2007 3:51 AM
By Steve Blackledge
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
Dating to his days at Northland High School, John Bowie has been known as a track star first and football player second.
Changing that perception will be a top priority of Bowie as he embarks on a career in the NFL.
Bowie, a 5-foot-11, 190-pound cornerback who started the past two seasons at the University of Cincinnati, was a fourth-round pick Sunday of the Oakland Raiders. He was taken with the pick acquired in a trade that sent receiver Randy Moss to New England.
"I had a solid season and an excellent combine, so I thought I'd get drafted, but I just wasn't sure where," Bowie said. "Still, when I was drafted, the guys on TV said, 'Who's John Bowie?' so I know I've still got plenty to prove to people, including myself."
As a junior, Bowie was the Big East 100-meter champion and anchored the Bearcats' conference record-setting 400 relay. He has most of the school's sprint records.
Bowie turned in a fine senior season in football. He had two interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown in the Bearcats' 27-24 International Bowl victory over Western Michigan. He also had 38 tackles and 10 pass breakups.
"We had a very short period of time to work with John Bowie," Cincinnati coach Brian Kelly said. "I knew John was the Big East Conference 100-meter champion, but he translated that on the field and played fast as well. I have seen a lot of track athletes not translate it. He is a young man who flew under the radar and developed late."
Bowie persevered though a series of nagging injuries during five years at UC to earn a criminal justice degree.
"It was a rocky road at times, but going to the NFL was always a dream of mine and I never lost sight of my goal," he said.
There's no question that Bowie's blazing track speed attracted NFL scouts. His stock soared on Cincinnati's pro day when he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.31 seconds "into the wind and on a slow surface," he added. "Bowie can flat out fly," Pro Football Weekly analyst Nolan Nawrocki said. "He is not a very disciplined player, but he can compensate for his lack of discipline with his tremendous speed. This is a classic Al Davis pick."
Oakland first-year coach Lane Kiffin said the team had its eye on Bowie all along.
"Big-time upside," Kiffin said of Bowie. "Here is a corner that has unbelievable speed and he has a chance to be really good. There is obviously some work we need to do with him as there is with all players, but we are really excited about his upside."
sblackledge@dispatch.com
Bowie's football career on track
Northland, UC grad drafted by Raiders
Thursday, May 3, 2007 3:51 AM
By Steve Blackledge
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
Dating to his days at Northland High School, John Bowie has been known as a track star first and football player second.
Changing that perception will be a top priority of Bowie as he embarks on a career in the NFL.
Bowie, a 5-foot-11, 190-pound cornerback who started the past two seasons at the University of Cincinnati, was a fourth-round pick Sunday of the Oakland Raiders. He was taken with the pick acquired in a trade that sent receiver Randy Moss to New England.
"I had a solid season and an excellent combine, so I thought I'd get drafted, but I just wasn't sure where," Bowie said. "Still, when I was drafted, the guys on TV said, 'Who's John Bowie?' so I know I've still got plenty to prove to people, including myself."
As a junior, Bowie was the Big East 100-meter champion and anchored the Bearcats' conference record-setting 400 relay. He has most of the school's sprint records.
Bowie turned in a fine senior season in football. He had two interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown in the Bearcats' 27-24 International Bowl victory over Western Michigan. He also had 38 tackles and 10 pass breakups.
"We had a very short period of time to work with John Bowie," Cincinnati coach Brian Kelly said. "I knew John was the Big East Conference 100-meter champion, but he translated that on the field and played fast as well. I have seen a lot of track athletes not translate it. He is a young man who flew under the radar and developed late."
Bowie persevered though a series of nagging injuries during five years at UC to earn a criminal justice degree.
"It was a rocky road at times, but going to the NFL was always a dream of mine and I never lost sight of my goal," he said.
There's no question that Bowie's blazing track speed attracted NFL scouts. His stock soared on Cincinnati's pro day when he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.31 seconds "into the wind and on a slow surface," he added. "Bowie can flat out fly," Pro Football Weekly analyst Nolan Nawrocki said. "He is not a very disciplined player, but he can compensate for his lack of discipline with his tremendous speed. This is a classic Al Davis pick."
Oakland first-year coach Lane Kiffin said the team had its eye on Bowie all along.
"Big-time upside," Kiffin said of Bowie. "Here is a corner that has unbelievable speed and he has a chance to be really good. There is obviously some work we need to do with him as there is with all players, but we are really excited about his upside."
sblackledge@dispatch.com