Better Know a Buckeye: Branden Bowen

The 20th installment of this year's Better Know a Buckeye series profiles Branden Bowen, an offensive tackle prospect from Draper, Utah. Bowen is the first Utah prospect in the known history of Ohio State's football program to enroll at the university on a football scholarship. In that respect, he joins Grant Schmidt (South Dakota) and K.J. Hill (Arkansas) as firsts of their kind in this recruiting class.

I recount the path that took Bowen to Ohio State, starting with a recruitment that featured a pledge to the in-state Utes. Then, I mention the reasons for his commitment to Ohio State. Thereafter, I provide a scouting report of one of the more interesting tackle prospects in a recruiting class that is loaded with offensive line talent. I project that Bowen is a strong candidate to receive some playing time in 2015 before concluding with highlight film for the reader to watch.

HIS RECRUITMENT

Ohio State fans first heard of the Utah prospect when Bowen visited Ohio State almost a year ago, almost to the exact day. Bowen held offers at that time from programs like Boise State, California, Colorado, Utah, Utah State, and Washington State. He had been in contact with Urban Meyer and Ed Warinner, enough to merit a trip to Columbus to see the campus and program for himself. 

A scan through his tweets on location in Columbus suggests it was a visit that would have made Ohio State a top choice if he were able to select a college without the condition of receiving an athletic scholarship offer. Bowen shared many pictures and had great things to say about the campus. He even arrived a day early to Columbus so he could see the campus.

Definitely enjoyed my time out at The Ohio State University! #GoBuckeyes #OSU pic.twitter.com/ApoEzCw2gU

— Branden Bowen (@BrandenBowen) June 25, 2014

However, he left without a clear knowledge of where he stood with the Buckeyes. Bowen operated under the premise that he had a "non-committable offer" or that his scholarship offer was conditioned on availability. Maybe others ahead of him on Ohio State's board needed to commit elsewhere before he could have the option of committing to Ohio State.

Bowen's recruitment vis-a-vis Ohio State operated in a gray area through the summer. Bowen wanted to return and made tentative plans to schedule an official visit. However, he did not know if his time would be misspent pursuing Ohio State to the exclusion of other opportunities. A plan to visit Ohio State early in September was canceled as Bowen considered moving it to later in the season, possibly as late as the Illinois game. 

Still unsure of where he stood with Ohio State, Bowen gave a verbal pledge to the in-state Utah Utes. Two days later, Urban Meyer called to inform him that he did have a scholarship offer and that it was committable.

That Ohio State would find itself locked in a recruiting battle with Utah for a Beehive State prospect is new territory for longtime Ohio State fans. The Buckeyes rarely recruit Utah; the last such prospect to receive a strong push from Ohio State was John Martinez, who signed with USC in 2009. Like Grant Schmidt, another first in his state to sign with Ohio State, the reward for Ohio State football in devoting resources to a remote state like Utah may not outweigh the costs. The best prospects in that state typically head to USC anyway, or otherwise stay in the Pac-12.

Bowen, though, was not a typical Utah prospect. He is originally from Tennessee and only moved to Utah in 2005. Further, his strength coach is John Madsen, who played for Urban Meyer at Utah and who was effusive in praise for him during Bowen's recruitment. All along, Ohio State had a credible shot to land Bowen, who was still open to an official visit to Ohio State even as a Utah pledge.

Bowen visited Ohio State for the Illinois game on Nov. 1 and called the visit "unbelievable". From there, a flip to Ohio State was a fait accompli. He decommitted from Utah ten days after that visit. Two weeks after that, he found a new home.

HIS COMMITMENT

On Nov. 23, 2014, Branden Bowen committed to Ohio State as the 20th member of Ohio State's 2015 recruiting class.

I have decided to end my recruitment completely and commit to THE Ohio State University! #GoBucks #Elite15 pic.twitter.com/iWg76K0inl

— Branden Bowen (@BrandenBowen) November 24, 2014

Bowen discussed the nature of the commitment with Eleven Warriors.

"Going into the visit, I'd say the chances of a 'flip' were basically slim to none," Bowen told Eleven Warriors. "But that was based on the idea that you know, I'd never been there for a game, I hadn't really been through the campus thoroughly; that's why I made the visit. When I got home, the choice was pretty difficult. The hardest part was just knowing about the distance from my friends and family. But, we've lived all over the country, moving again is not that big of a deal."

...

"The coaches at Ohio State are great," Bowen said. "The players on the team are just great people. The tradition there is unbelievable and from what I have seen, they have the best fans in the nation. Really, everything at Ohio State is what sold me on Ohio State. I have nothing but respect for Utah's program, but it's a night and day difference between the two places. The players at Ohio State are closer, the coaches' resumes are all impressive and it's a program that's on the verge of competing for multiple national championships. There's a tradition at The Ohio State University that is unlike any other. On top of all that, it's a great academic school that will provide me with a meaningful degree."

WHERE HE EXCELS

Ohio State has intriguing tackle prospects in this recruiting class. The 6-7 Bowen is not the tallest prospect among the incoming offensive linemen, a distinction that goes to the 6-9 Kevin Feder. He is currently the biggest prospect in the class at 330 pounds. All told, Ohio State has great options at offensive line in this class and Bowen will be one of the names to watch.

Bowen has focused a lot lately on conditioning and strength so much that he thinks it one of his better attributes at the moment. Ohio State fans may be happy to know that though Bowen only enrolled at Ohio State this month, he graduated from high school in December. He spent the winter and spring doing his own strength and conditioning work with John Madsen, reportedly as often as six times a week. A former player under Urban Meyer and Mickey Marotti, Madsen has a good knowledge of what their program at Ohio State requires.

Elsewhere, he shows a lot of aggression at the point of the attack. He plays through the whistle and drives through defenders on his blocks. These may be cliches in scouting reports, but they remain good attributes to have.

Finally, Bowen worked a lot on flexibility and footwork in addition to weight and strength. He gained "good weight" and lost "bad weight", which made him a leaner prospect (who still measures around 330 pounds). He is rather light on his feet for a tackle of his size.

MUST WORK ON

Ohio State fans may be curious how well Beehive State football prepares a prospect for major college football. I do not share this pessimism about high school football in Utah. The best of the state does well in college football, even if this observation hinges on how peculiar it can be to see a big-time prospect from Utah playing at a major program like USC (or Alabama or Oklahoma) and performing well. That said, it might be a small issue.

I think Bowen is about as good in passing situations as he is in run-blocking. This is rare since most high school football is run-intensive and linemen are typically much better run-blockers at this point in their development. I do see one nagging problem in his posture. Bowen has improved his posture from his junior to senior year, but he plays too high. I see this more often in run-blocking situations.

Further,  Ed Warinner will try to instill better hand placement tactics this fall and going forward. His highlight film features several plays that become holds at the collegiate level against better opposition. Even defensive linemen at lesser programs like Illinois can better disengage from blocks than the typical high school football player.

REDSHIRT?

Am I wrong to be somewhat bullish on Bowen and his short-term? I do not think he will start in 2015, though Ohio State has an opening at right tackle. I do think he can command some playing time in a reserve role at one of the tackle positions. Bowen might find some playing time this season.

HIGHLIGHTS