Tag: Drayk Bowen

Drayk Bowen makes a big decision about his Notre Dame future

This move makes plenty of sense for Bowen

There is a pretty long history with Notre Dame athletes playing more than one sport during their time in South Bend.

Currently, there are a few on the football team, who double-dip in other sports, as linebacker [autotag]Drayk Bowen[/autotag] is one of them. He has been part of the Irish baseball team his first two years on campus, but according to Matt Freeman, the junior won’t be on the diamond during the spring and summer.

It makes plenty of sense, as Bowen didn’t play as a freshman and saw time in just three games last year. By putting all of his focus towards football, it hypothetically increases his ceiling for Notre Dame and the next level.

The Saint John native broke out on the gridiron this fall, with 78 tackles, a sack and three forced fumbles. Bowen has all the tools to succeed at the next level, and with a big season in the fall, he could have a very hard decision in front of him.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish linebacker Drayk Bowen (34) knocks the ball away from Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Emeka Egbuka (2) for a fumble in the fourth quarter during the College Football Playoff National Championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on January 20, 2025.

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Notre Dame vs. Ohio State: Fourth-Quarter Analysis

So close, and yet, so far.

For a fleeting moment, Notre Dame still had a chance in the College Football Playoff title game. In a season where the amazing has happened repeatedly, why not one more such occurrence?

We’ll never know the events that occurred in another universe, but in this one, Ohio State is the national champion after beating the Irish, 34-23.

On the first play of the fourth quarter, Emeka Egbuka was on his way to a long reception, but [autotag]Drayk Bowen[/autotag] knocked the ball out of his clutches, and [autotag]Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa[/autotag] recovered it. Suddenly, the Irish had the ball in a 31-15 game.

[autotag]Riley Leonard[/autotag] completed a 30-yard pass to [autotag]Jaden Greathouse[/autotag], and a couple of defensive holding calls against the Buckeyes set the Irish up with a first-and-goal. Three plays went nowhere, and instead of going for it on fourth down like most teams in such a situation should, the Irish opted to send [autotag]Mitch Jeter[/autotag] out for a 27-yard field-goal attempt. The kick doinked off the left upright, and the chance for points off turnovers was gone.

The Irish’s defense then forced the first Buckeyes punt of the game, and the offense badly needed points to still have a chance. It got them when Leonard fired another 30-yard pass to Greathouse, this time with Greathouse making a great catch in the end zone. Leonard then flipped the ball to [autotag]Jordan Faison[/autotag], who fired to [autotag]Beaux Collins[/autotag] to complete the two-point conversion and make it a one-score game.

Again, the Irish placed the Buckeyes’ offense in a tough spot, third-and-11 to be exact at their own 34-yard line. But that’s when Will Howard decided to air it out and fire a 56-yard pass to an open Jeremiah Smith, who caught the ball before being stopped at the Irish’s 10. Any real hope the Irish had was snuffed out on a play that Buckeyes fans will reminisce about forever.

The Buckeyes ran the ball a few times, milked the clock, and the matter officially was put to rest with a Jayden Fielding 33-yard field goal with 26 seconds left. The Irish were left to wonder what could have been, and the party in Columbus was underway.

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Watch Notre Dame’s defense strip the ball from Ohio State

Notre Dame gets the turnover it needs.

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish needed a turnover to have any hopes of coming back against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the national championship game.

They just got one.

Ohio State wide receiver [autotag]Emeka Egbuka[/autotag] appeared to break a big play against the Irish, but the ball was punched loose by [autotag]Drayk Bowen[/autotag] and recovered by [autotag]Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa[/autotag].

There was a replay review but the play stood. Notre Dame has some life late.

Instant reactions to Notre Dame’s win over Indiana in the CFP
SOUTH BEND, INDIANA – DECEMBER 20: Drayk Bowen #34 and Jack Kiser #24 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish celebrate after a defensive play during the first quarter against the Indiana Hoosiers in the Playoff First Round game at Notre Dame Stadium on December 20, 2024 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)

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Notre Dame statistical leaders through 11 games

Who leads the Irish heading into the final regular-season contest?

Notre Dame has its fate in its own hands for the College Football Playoff. All it needs to do is defeat USC, and a first-round game at Notre Dame Stadium appears to be a certainty. Who would have thought the Irish would be in such a good position after the loss to Northern Illinois threatened to derail their season early?

The Irish can’t afford to get complacent though. The Trojans have not had a great season, but dealing the Irish a loss that could threaten their playoff chances would make up for everything that has gone wrong for them. That’s why the Irish will need to prepare for them like they would for any ranked team, and the talent they have should allow them to emerge victorious.

Here are the major statistical leaders the Irish are taking into their regular-season finale. Not all of them will be available, but they’re fun to see nonetheless:

Notre Dame statistical leaders through four games

Who’s on the board going into the next game?

The great thing about Notre Dame’s dominant win over Miami (Ohio) is that a few more players got a chance to shine. Consequently, we have a few new names popping up in our weekly statistical leaders listicle heading into the game against Louisville. That should force the Cardinals to be a little more aware of the players they’ll be going up against.

This goes without saying, but the Irish always can benefit from new players appearing in these categories. It highlights just how deep the team’s talent is, and anyone can step in at any point. It might take some players longer to crack the leaders lists than others, but that’s the beauty of a regular season that runs through the end of November.

So who are the players standing out the most going into the Irish’s last game before their first bye week? Take a look for yourself here:

Notre Dame Football: Watch Irish Linebackers Rare Speed Shown on Baseball Diamond

That young man can move…

Notre Dame football is getting set to start spring practice before long but on Sunday it was the Fighting Irish baseball team that is celebrating after capping a season-opening sweep at Rice.

Tied at seven in the top of the seventh inning, Notre Dame freshman [autotag]Drayk Bowen[/autotag] was sent in to pinch run for the Irish.  Bowen was a big-time recruit for the Notre Dame football team in the 2023 recruiting cycle, winning the Butkus Award as the nation’s top high school linebacker.

The speed that helped him win that award and that will hopefully play a role in him becoming a Notre Dame football great was on full display when centerfielder TJ Williams singled to left field.  Bowen, who was at second, showcased his top speed to score the go-ahead run for Notre Dame.  Check it out below.

That young man is listed at 6-2, 234-pounds in case you were wondering.  The speed is obvious but it’s a heck of a move to avoid the tag by Bowen as well.

Bowen and the Irish look to continue their hot start next weekend in Miami where they’ll take on Florida International in a three game series.

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Another Notre Dame football starter out against Central Michigan

The Irish are down another starter on Saturday

We knew earlier in the week that [autotag]Notre Dame football[/autotag] would be without linebacker [autotag]JD Bertrand[/autotag].

What we didn’t know was [autotag]Mitchell Evans[/autotag] would join the Irish captain on the unavailable list against Central Michigan. Luckily for Notre Dame, [autotag]Holden Staes[/autotag] had a mini-breakout against NC State.

What’s interesting is when this week’s depth chart was release, Evans was tight end  No. 1, but the Irish now look to Staes along with [autotag]Davis Sherwood[/autotag], who also scored a touchdown last week, to replace him.

As for Bertrand, [autotag]Drayk Bowen[/autotag] is listed behind him, and it would be the first start for the true freshman.

The Irish will kick off the game against the Chippewas at 2:30 p.m. ET.

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See it: Notre Dame two-sport great poses with future Notre Dame two-sport great

It’s probably too late for Samardzija to be any help to the Bears, isn’t it…

Notre Dame has had its fair share of multisport star athletes over the years.  During World War II, Edward “Moose” Krause starred in football and basketball while also lettering in track. Dick Arrington finished third nationally in wrestling in 1965 while earning All-American honors for helping protect Heisman Trophy quarterback John Huarte.

Bob Golic doubled up as an All-American wrestler while also starring on the football team. Raghib “Rocket” Ismail earned All-American honors in both football and track.

Perhaps the most well-known multisport star at Notre Dame in recent years was wide receiver and star pitcher, [autotag]Jeff Samardzija[/autotag].  Samardzija helped lead Notre Dame’s turnaround in 2005 and 2006 before opting to play professional baseball instead of taking his shot at the NFL.  The Valparaiso, Indiana, native crossed paths with incoming freshman [autotag]Drayk Bowen[/autotag] in a photo that was shared on social media Wednesday night.

Bowen was recently named the 2022 High School Butkus Award winner as the nation’s top high school linebacker.  Bowen plans to play baseball for the Irish in addition to football.

Related:  The best photos of Jeff Samardzija at Notre Dame

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Notre Dame-Tennessee State: Irish down two players for home opener

A pair of Notre Dame defenders have been ruled out for Saturday’s home opening contest against Tennessee State. Details here.

No. 13 Notre Dame will be without a pair of players when they kickoff against Tennessee State later this afternoon and both are on the defensive side of the ball.

Freshman linebacker [autotag]Drayk Bowen[/autotag] and sophomore defensive lineman [autotag]Gabriel Rubio[/autotag] have both been ruled out for Saturday’s home opener.

The Notre Dame football public relations team gave no reason for the absences but we’ll be sure to have any injury news that potentially comes.

Notre Dame is set to kick-off against Tennessee State just after 3:30 p.m. ET this afternoon in a game that can be seen on NBC.

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Notre Dame football releases its depth chart ahead of season opener vs. Navy

Not much to see but more than a few true freshman show up for the Irish

As [autotag]Notre Dame football[/autotag]’s social media account reminded us this morning, it’s game week.

With that comes the Irish releasing their depth chart against [autotag]Navy[/autotag] in Dublin, Ireland. There aren’t too many surprises, but having four true freshman in the two-deep is interesting.

Linebacker [autotag]Drayk Bowen[/autotag] and cornerback [autotag]Christian Gray[/autotag] have impressed the coaches enough to warrant early playing time on defense. As for the offense, two receivers, [autotag]Jaden Greathouse[/autotag] and [autotag]Rico Flores[/autotag], have also made early marks and will see the field in their first year.

Another true freshman, running back [autotag]Jeremiyah Love[/autotag] was included, but he’s bracketed with two other teammates and behind starter [autotag]Audric Estime[/autotag] and backup [autotag]Gi’Bran Payne[/autotag].

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