On Monday, 2023 linebacker Troy Bowles announced his top eight schools via Twitter. Auburn was one of the schools listed. Other schools that were listed are Alabama, Georgia, Clemson, Ohio State, Texas A&M, Florida, and Rutgers. He is the son of Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles. His father played four seasons at Temple where he was a four-year starter for the Owls. His older brother Todd Bowles Jr. currently plays defensive back at Rutgers.
Troy is regarded as a four-star by 247Sports recruiting rankings. He is listed at 6-foot-1 and 205 pounds. This past season he recorded 103 tackles, six tackles for loss, and three sacks for Jesuit High School. He helped lead his team to the school’s first state championship in history this past season. The Tigers won the Class 6A state title in the state of Florida.
Bowles certainly has what it takes to be an elite linebacker at the next level. Here is what 247Sports’ Southeast recruiting analyst Andrew Ivins had to say about Bowles:
“One of the more complete three-down linebacker prospects to come out of Florida recently given his ability to not only take on blocks and blitz, but also cover tight ends and running backs. Has done nothing but produce since he was a freshman at one of the Sunshine State’s more tradition-rich high school programs totaling over 250 tackles, 12 sacks and 5 interceptions his first three years on varsity. Intelligent player that has a good feel for what’s going on around him, which isn’t surprising given the fact that his father is an NFL defensive coordinator.”
With the Tigers possibly losing several linebackers to the NFL draft next season, Bowles could be quick to touch the field as a starter for the Tigers. Several other prestigious programs are in the mix. However, the Tigers’ coaching staff could utilize the fact that they need instant help at the linebacker position in their favor. There is also another factor that helps the Tigers. It is the fact that Bowles pulled for Auburn growing up. Here is what he told On3’s Hayes Fawcett after releasing his top eight schools:
“Auburn is a real college town and you really get that community feel when you’re there,” Bowles said. “I have a ton of respect for them and the coaching staff, that was my team growing up.”
BREAKING: Four-Star LB Troy Bowles is down to 8️⃣ Schools, he tells @On3Recruits
The 6’1 205 LB from Tampa, FL is ranked as the No. 2 LB in the ‘23 Class
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— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) May 23, 2022