Tag: Demarkcus Bowman

Former 5-star Clemson running back re-enters the transfer portal

Former Tiger Demarkcus Bowman is back in the transfer portal.

A former Clemson running back is once again back in the transfer portal for the third time in his career. 

Running back Demarkcus Bowman has re-entered the portal, ending his time at UCF. During his collegiate career so far, Bowman has been with UCF (2022-23), Florida (2021), and Clemson (2020). The young running back has failed to find a home in college football and will once again look for a new place to take his talents. 

A former five-star recruit in the 2020 class, Bowman was ranked as the No. 3 running back and the No. 20 overall player by 247Sports composite rankings. Bowman had nine carries for 32 yards during his career with the Tigers.

It’s been a tough road for Bowman, who has failed to live up to the five-star label.

Florida RB transfer Demarkcus Bowman commits to UCF

It didn’t work out for Demarkcus Bowman in Gainesville, but maybe Orlando will be the right fit.

Less than a week after UCF lost its top recruit in the class of 2023 to Florida, the Knights landed former Gators running back [autotag]Demarkcus Bowman[/autotag] through the transfer portal.

Coming out of high school, Bowman was a five-star recruit and considered among the top 3 running backs in his class by 247Sports. He ranks No. 391 all-time on 247Sports’ list with a near-perfect rating of .9909. However, a high rating didn’t translate to immediate success, and Bowman left Clemson in October of his freshman year in 2020. It took him just two days to decide on Florida at that point, one day less than he spent in the portal this time around.

Bowman’s departure from Florida on June 24 came as a bit of a surprise after he impressed in spring practices, but a crowded running backs room was presumed to be the reason. Lousiana transfer [autotag]Montrell Johnson[/autotag] already knows Napier’s scheme, [autotag]Nay’Quan Wright[/autotag] is the only returning back on the depth chart with legitimate in-game experience and Lorenzon Lingard is also a former five-star that’s been impressive. If that’s not crowded enough, freshman Trevor Etienne was behind him hungry for any playing time.

For a guy that could be a star, it’s not the ideal situation. So, he headed a few hours south to the team that beat Florida last year in the Gasparilla Bowl. The only problem is that he will have to sit out the 2022 season with this being his second transfer and well past the deadline for players to enter the portal. A waiver could clear that issue though, and the Knights have had three players regain eligibility over the past two years.

It may benefit Bowman to wait, though. Isaiah Bowser and Johnny Richardson each netted over 700 rushing yards last season, and the duo is set to return for another run in Orlando. Playing alongside Richardson was one of the catalysts for Bowman’s transfer to UCF, according to 247Sports.

Sitting out until 2023 would give Bowman time to learn the playbook and move up the depth chart with only Richardson to compete with, assuming he returns for his senior year. Behind those guys, UCF has a fleet of former three stars that are fighting for some playing time.

Bowman will be 22 in 2023, though. The likelihood of him staying another year to meet up against his former club when the UF-UCF series begins in 2024 is low. However, he should be a part of the Knights’ first season as a member of the Big 12.

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Where does Florida stand with the top-ranked CB of 2023?

Florida will be competing with Alabama and Miami down the stretch for the nation’s top-ranked cornerback recruit.

The nation’s top-ranked cornerback [autotag]Cormani McClain[/autotag] was in Coral Gables over the weekend on an official visit with the Miami Hurricanes. That might be concerning for some Gators fans after UM landed quarterback Jaden Rashada over UF on Sunday, but the update from 247Sports’ Andrew Ivins on McClain is mostly positive for the Orange and Blue.

While Miami did close the gap on Alabama and Florida over the weekend, there is still plenty of work to be done for the Hurricanes to overtake the SEC programs. The word out of Coral Gables is that UM is viewing ‘Bama as the bigger threat of the two, but Florida is still well-positioned in the race to land McClain.

There was some speculation that Billy Napier‘s dismissal of [autotag]Fenley Graham[/autotag] and [autotag]Demarkcus Bowman[/autotag]’s transfer had some impact on McClain and Florida’s relationship, but Ivins was told that it wasn’t much of a factor from multiple people in the recruit’s camp. One even mentioned Lakeland graduate Keon Zipperer still being on the team, which is a good sign for the Gators.

Still, Florida seems to be in a dogfight with one of the top programs in the nation for one of the top players in the class. It will take a lot to overcome Nick Saban and Alabama, but Napier is doing the right things so far to keep his team in it.

McClain is ranked No. 1 among cornerbacks in the class of 2023 on the 247Sports composite and is ranked No. 3 overall regardless of position.

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Report: Florida losing former 5-star RB to transfer portal

Running back Demarkcus Bowman is in the transfer portal after just one year at Florida.

After Billy Napier cut three players from the program earlier in the week, the Florida Gators lost another scholarship player on Friday. Running back [autotag]Demarkcus Bowman[/autotag], a former five-star recruit out of high school, has entered his name into the transfer portal, according to On3.

Bowman came to Gainesville in 2020 after playing his freshman year at the Clemson Tigers. That makes this his second transfer, which means he will be required to sit out for a year before playing with a new team. That might not be so different than what he would be doing at Florida, though, with [autotag]Montrell Johnson[/autotag], [autotag]Nay’Quan Wright[/autotag], [autotag]Lorenzo Lingard[/autotag] and [autotag]Trevor Etienne[/autotag] in UF’s running backs room.

Entering the portal doesn’t guarantee Bowman’s departure, but Florida is still over the scholarship limit and the room is too crowded for a talent that was once considered among the top 20 recruits in the nation. Bowman’s far from a bust at this point. He still possesses good speed and impressed many during spring practices. He ran the ball 14 times for 81 yards in 2021 across appearances in five games.

Florida should be okay without Bowman given the depth in the room. It also opens the door for Etienne to pick up some carries as a freshman, especially if injuries come into play. Both of last year’s starting backs, [autotag]Dameon Pierce[/autotag] and [autotag]Malik Davis[/autotag], are gone and Napier likes to run the ball.

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Former Tiger back in the transfer portal

A former Clemson running back has reportedly re-entered the NCAA transfer portal. Demarkcus Bowman is back in the portal, according to multiple reports. As a redshirt freshman at Florida last season, Bowman saw action in five games and as a reserve …

A former Clemson running back has reportedly re-entered the NCAA transfer portal.

Demarkcus Bowman is back in the portal, according to multiple reports.

As a redshirt freshman at Florida last season, Bowman saw action in five games and as a reserve running back in four games, rushing 14 times for 81 yards.

The former unanimous five-star prospect from Lakeland, Fla., signed with Clemson as part of its 2020 class and played briefly in the top-ranked Tigers’ first two games during the 2020 season before entering the portal and eventually transferring to Florida.

Bowman had nine carries for 32 yards for the Tigers in 2020. He averaged 3.6 yards per carry and he did not score a touchdown.

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Here’s where Florida football stands in ESPN’s top 25 Future Power Rankings

You’re probably not going to like where ESPN ranks the Gators. We certainly didn’t.

Florida’s football program reached stratospheric heights during the first decade of the 21st century under head coach [autotag]Urban Meyer[/autotag], but since his departure, the team has taken a massive U-turn back into a level of mediocrity not seen since before [autotag]Steve Spurrier[/autotag]’s tenure. Exacerbating the issue is the coaching carousel that the Orange and Blue experienced in recent years, having burned through three new skippers before bringing on [autotag]Billy Napier[/autotag] to right the ship.

There is little question that the new administration has a steep hill to climb to get the Gators back to their previous level of success. Even though [autotag]Dan Mullen[/autotag]’s tenure saw three straight New Year’s Six bowl game appearances, it still came to a tumultuous close as the program imploded upon itself due to neglect, leaving things in shambles for the next coach to clean up.

With that in mind, ESPN senior writer Adam Rittenberg recently published his college football’s top 25 future power rankings and where he placed Florida may rustle a few jimmies among the Gator Nation. Take a look at his entry below.

22. Florida Gators
2022 Future QB ranking: Not ranked
2022 Future offense ranking: Not ranked
2022 Future defense ranking: 21
2021 Future team ranking: 8

Scouting the Gators: Florida is the type of program that could surge in these rankings as soon as 2023. There’s always talent in Gainesville, and coach [autotag]Billy Napier[/autotag] looks like a smart hire for a program that hasn’t made the CFP and last won the SEC in 2008, the Gators’ most recent national championship. But an unexpected transition — no one pegged [autotag]Dan Mullen[/autotag] to be fired at this time last year — could lead to a down year or two, especially in the improving SEC East Division. The biggest immediate question is the offense and whether dual-threat quarterback [autotag]Anthony Richardson[/autotag] will provide a consistent spark. Richardson must show greater accuracy and fewer mistakes in the pass game, but he has sophomore eligibility and room to grow under Napier.

Florida also received some QB insurance in Ohio State transfer [autotag]Jack Miller[/autotag]. Running back could become a multiyear strength. [autotag]Montrell Johnson[/autotag] followed Napier from Louisiana to Florida after a 12-touchdown season as a freshman in 2021. Johnson leads a sophomore group that includes [autotag]Nay’Quan Wright [/autotag]and [autotag]Demarkcus Bowman[/autotag]. Florida also added ESPN 300 recruit [autotag]Trevor Etienne[/autotag]. Junior [autotag]Justin Shorter[/autotag] leads a young wide receiver group with opportunities to shine. The Gators need sophomores [autotag]Trent Whittemore[/autotag] and [autotag]Xzavier Henderson[/autotag] to stay healthy, or someone else to emerge. They return two veteran tight ends in [autotag]Keon Zipperer[/autotag] and [autotag]Dante Zanders[/autotag] but need options for 2023 and 2024. Offensive line has some concerns, especially depth at tackle, but returns junior center [autotag]Kingsley Eguakun[/autotag] and some other interior pieces. Florida has a 2023 commitment from [autotag]Knijeah Harris[/autotag], ESPN’s top-rated center in the class.

The defense has fewer immediate questions. Florida returns proven players such as safety [autotag]Trey Dean III[/autotag], end [autotag]Brenton Cox Jr[/autotag]. and tackle [autotag]Gervon Dexter[/autotag]. Both Cox and Dexter could play multiple seasons and lead a line that needs others to emerge this fall, including sophomore end [autotag]Princely Umanmielen[/autotag]. Florida could become a back-to-front defense in Napier’s first few seasons, as the secondary returns Dean and sophomores [autotag]Rashad Torrence II[/autotag] and [autotag]Tre’Vez Johnson[/autotag] at safety, and talented young cornerbacks such as [autotag]Jason Marshall Jr[/autotag]., an ESPN top-50 recruit who appeared in every game as a true freshman. [autotag]Kamari Wilson[/autotag], ESPN’s top-rated safety and No. 18 overall recruit, headlined Napier’s first class. Seniors [autotag]Ventrell Miller[/autotag] and [autotag]Amari Burney[/autotag] lead a linebacker group that will look to build long-term depth this season. [autotag]Derek Wingo[/autotag] has sophomore eligibility, and Florida added ESPN 300 linebacker [autotag]Shemar James[/autotag] in the 2022 recruiting class.

Despite just making the top 25 list by a few spots, the future is beginning to look bright again in Gainesville. Napier and Co. have done a great job on the recruiting front so far, and once the new regime has its plans for the future fully implemented, the Swamp should once again be a favorable destination for the best in the business.

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Florida continues to stand out for this 5-star cornerback

Florida and Alabama still sit in the best spot for five-star cornerback Cormani McClain out of Lakeland, Florida.

Five-star cornerback [autotag]Cormani McClain[/autotag] visited Florida for its spring game about a month ago now. Now the Gators are returning the favor. They sent cornerbacks coach [autotag]Corey Raymond[/autotag] to watch his spring game at Lake Gibson in Lakeland, Florida, this week. He told reporters afterward that Florida and Alabama continue to stand out to him.

McClain is ranked as the third overall prospect nationally and the best player at his position, according to the 247Sports composite. He only has three crystal ball picks entered on his profile, but they were all in the favor of Florida.

He’s arguably the Gators’ top target this cycle due to his ranking and his proximity to campus. He hails from a Florida-friendly area in Lakeland. Some current players on the roster that grew up there include tight end [autotag]Keon Zipperer[/autotag], defensive end [autotag]Lloyd Summerall III[/autotag], linebacker [autotag]Ventrell Miller[/autotag], wide receiver [autotag]Fenley Graham Jr[/autotag]. and running back [autotag]Demarkcus Bowman[/autotag].

McClain told Swamp247 that he’s focused on taking only official visits now and has set one to Georgia for June 24. He said he plans on taking one to Florida in early June and Alabama. However, he doesn’t believe he’ll make a decision until after his senior season.

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Florida hosting this top-100 wide receiver for its Orange and Blue game

Florida is set to host four-star wide receiver Tyler Williams for the second time this month during its spring game.

Many fans, media members and I were skeptical about whether Florida head coach [autotag]Billy Napier[/autotag]’s decision to move the spring game to Thursday from Saturday would pay off. From a recruiting standpoint, his strategy has been a success. The Gators are set to host three five-stars and 16 four-stars. One of those four stars is top 100 wide receiver [autotag]Tyler Williams[/autotag], according to Gators Online.

He hails from nearby Lakeland, Florida, and most recently visited the Swamp on April 2. He mentioned after his visit two weeks ago that he wants to come back in the future and now has that date locked in.

Lakeland has always been a Gators-friendly area. They have several players who are from the area like [autotag]Gervon Dexter[/autotag], [autotag]Keon Zipperer[/autotag], [autotag]Demarkcus Bowman[/autotag] and [autotag]Fenley Graham[/autotag]. Williams plays for Lakeland High School where Zipperer, Bowman and Graham played and says he spends a lot of time with them when they come back home.

“I catch up with all of them for the most part,” Williams said. “I see them a lot when they come back home. They come work out with us and lift. I can call them if I need to talk about something or ask any questions. I get advice about my game and stuff like that. Even with the recruiting process, they give me pointers and stuff to look at.”

For Florida, wide receivers coach [autotag]Keary Colbert[/autotag] and Napier have led the charge for Williams.

He also holds some other offers from Alabama, Clemson, Notre Dame, LSU, Georgia, Miami, Oklahoma and USC.

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Here’s what CBS Sports thinks Florida football’s biggest issue is

Barrett Sallee gives his take on what the Gators should be focusing on heading into fall.

CBS Sports’ Barrett Sallee released his list of one question each SEC team must answer during spring practice ahead of the 2022 college football season on Tuesday. He believes Florida needs to figure out who it will rely on in the running game to help accelerate the development of quarterback [autotag]Anthony Richardson[/autotag] after [autotag]Dameon Pierce[/autotag] and [autotag]Malik Davis[/autotag] graduated while [autotag]Nay’Quan Wright[/autotag] is recovering from a knee injury he suffered late last season. Here is what Sallee had to say.

Who will pound the rock? It’d be easy to say that the development of quarterback Anthony Richardson is the most-pressing question, but that development will accelerate if first-year coach Billy Napier can figure out his running back situation. Dameon Pierce and Malik Davis are gone, and junior Nay’Quan Wright won’t participate in the spring while he recovers from a knee injury suffered late last season.

Napier will have to rely on multiple players who have transferred into the program over the last few years to bridge the gap — [autotag]Lorenzo Lingard[/autotag] (Miami), [autotag]Demarkcus Bowman[/autotag] (Clemson) and [autotag]Montrell Johnson[/autotag] (Louisiana). Napier has used multiple running backs in key situations in the past, so this spring is a golden opportunity to build the depth that the Gators will need to be competitive in 2022.

Before diving in further, I’d like to applaud Sallee for not centering his question around a mythical Gators quarterback competition like other national media members have this offseason. Richardson is the starter in Florida’s season-opener versus Utah, barring a massive surprise.

This is definitely one of the biggest questions coach [autotag]Billy Napier[/autotag] and staff have to answer this spring, besides who will be Richardson’s go-to receiver this spring.

It’ll be a difficult task to bridge the gap between last year’s unit and this year’s, but this team’s running back room has much more upside because of former five-stars Bowman and Lingard then add in the addition of Johnson who just had a strong season with the Ragin’ Cajuns.

Bowman should emerge from the spring as the designated starter with Johnson and Wright following suit. Lingard has struggled to see the field since transferring to Florida and needs to have a strong spring to see snaps this fall.

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Pair of Florida players named to ESPN’s top newcomers list

Demarkcus Bowman and Jason Marshall Jr. could both be immediate impact players for Florida in 2021.

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Florida enters the 2021 season with a lot of talent to replace, especially on the offensive side of the ball. The Gators lost starting quarterback Kyle Trask and his top three receivers, and the offense could look a lot different with Emory Jones under center in 2021.

The recruiting may be lagging behind a bit for UF, but coach Dan Mullen has made good use of the transfer portal to fill roster holes during his time in Gainesville. One of the players he brought in this year, former Clemson running back Demarkcus Bowman, ranks 14th on ESPN’s list of the top newcomers in college football.

Bowman, who signed with the Tigers as the No. 23 prospect overall in the 2020 class, entered the transfer portal in October, so he didn’t have much time to see the field at Clemson. Bowman missed some time with Florida in the spring due to an injury, but should be fully healthy for the season. With Florida replacing Kyle Trask under center, the offense is going to need a consistent run game. Adding Bowman to the running backs room that includes Dameon Pierce, Malik Davis, Nay’Quan Wright and Lorenzo Lingard means Florida has plenty of options in the backfield.

Bowman is certainly a talented player, but it’s hard to judge exactly how much of an impact he will have in 2021 due to how crowded Florida’s backcourt is. If seniority rules, Pierce and Davis would see the most carries, but Wright also impressed as a redshirt freshman in 2020.

Lingard is another former five-star transfer from Miami, but he only saw five carries in 2020 and seems to be falling behind the rest of the group. Bowman will certainly see some action in 2021, but he may not be UF’s feature back. To find a newcomer who could have an immediate impact, you have to go a bit further down the list.

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