First-Year Profile: Brock Bowers
(Photo from UGA Sports Communications)
Over the next month, DogWatch will be looking at the Bulldogs’ incoming freshman in a new series called First Year Profile.
Today, we will look at former Napa High School product Brock Bowers.
Ranking: No. 104 overall, No. 3 tight end and the No. 10 player from California, according to the 247Sports Composite.
Height/Weight: 6-foot-4, 230-pounds
Background: Bowers was one of the most sought-after tight ends in the country during this past year’s recruiting cycle, but Georgia’s Todd Hartley landed him after signing Darnell Washington in the previous class. He and his family visited Athens and toured UGA’s campus on their own time, due to the NCAA not allowing official visits because of the pandemic.
Bowers traveled from his home state of California to Georgia last summer and must have left with a positive impression of the Classic City. The Napa native had a lot of time to visit college campuses on his own time due to California not having a fall football season. However, in the end, he committed to Georgia on August 10, 2020, and enrolled less than five months later
2021 Potential Impact: Right now, the Bulldogs have a pair of seasoned tight ends in Washington and John FitzPatrick. Nonetheless, Bowers has a chance to see the field a lot this fall due to his speed and athleticism. The 6-foot-4, 230-pound pass-catcher doesn’t possess elite-level blocking skills just quite yet, but he does in fact have the ability to line up out wide and get open in space, which is useful in Todd Monken’s offense.
Of course, Washington and FitzPatrick are great route runners and pass catchers, respectively. But, Bowers is naturally better at finding open lanes downfield, which can set up the quarterback for an easy completion. It’s something that he did well at the high school level. In fact, Bowers had 39 receptions for 1,098 yards (28.2 yards per reception) during his junior season at Napa High School. He also added 14 touchdowns, too. So, needless to say, Bowers is going to see the field earlier on in the season. He could easily help create matchups problems for the opposing teams’ secondary.
Even though Bowers will mostly play tight end, DogWatch thinks that he could also line up in the slot. Nevertheless, Georgia already has Kearis Jackson as its top slot receiver, followed by Dominick Blaylock and Justin Robinson. But, just imagine Bowers lined up at the slot position alongside Arik Gilbert at the X-position. Those two over-the-top downfield could be a great dynamic.
Bowers did have an impressive G-Day performance where he showcased his speed against Georgia’s second-string defense. The freshman caught three of five targets for 35 yards; he had his longest reception go for 25 yards. During that 25-yard scamper, he did a couple of defenders miss in the process, which impressed head coach Kirby Smart and others following his G-Day performance.
Scouting Report: "Boasts elite level athleticism, clocking a 4.5 40 as a sophomore and a 40-inch vertical. Has the speed to burn a linebacker and separate from a defensive back. Tracks the ball well, uses good body control and his hands to make his catches and routinely finds the soft spot in a defense. Plus blocker who can seal off the edge but used best as a pass-catcher. Projects as multi-year Power 5 starter and projects as second round pick." -- Brandon Huffman
Highlights:
Check out the other First-Year Profiles: