Drayk Bowen Is Learning To Take Control Of The Notre Dame Defense

Notre Dame linebacker Drayk Bowen is growing as a player this spring, but expectations are high

Notre Dame linebacker Drayk Bowen / Angela Driskell, Irish Breakdown

Notre Dame fielded one of the nation's best defenses in 2023, and if that is going to continue - or even improve - in 2024 the linebacker position will need to be reloaded. For that to happen a number of talented but unproven players will need to step up in a big way. That includes sophomore Drayk Bowen, who is stepping into the Mike linebacker position after the departure of three-year starter JD Bertrand.

The 6-2, 234-pound native of Indiana came to Notre Dame with a strong recruiting profile. Rivals ranked him as the nation's No. 48 overall player, and he had a 5-star upside grade on the Irish Breakdown board. Talent has never been the question for Bowen, the question is could he learn the nuances of playing linebacker at the collegiate level.

Bowen is spending the spring learning, growing and positioning himself to become a leader, and playmaker, on the Irish defense. Linebackers coach Max Bullough is playing a key role in helping Bowen develop as a player, and he's seen good progress this spring from his talented young pupil.

"Drayk's done a good job," Bullough said of Bowen's spring performance thus far. "He's progressing each day, like we've asked him to do. One of the big things for him is control of the defense. A lot of that is, it's having a bark out there and it's been loud, but it's also building the trust with your guys on and off (the field).

"Like, when you mess something up on the field, coming over and talking to him in a quiet voice and just getting it figured out," continued Bullough. "I think that's something that's built over time, and I think that's what we're still working on through the end of spring."

Being a leader of the defense is essential for the Mike linebacker, and Bowen was challenged to become that kind of player this spring.

"He's someone that we challenged at the beginning of this to take control of the defense," explained the Notre Dame linebackers coach. ".... That comes in those chaotic moments, can I be calm? Then the ball is snapped, and then go make a play. 

"We need someone that fills the void of the defense that left last year in terms of leadership," Bullough continued. "When I say leadership, I mean one, take control of the defense. Two, when the ball is snapped, someone has to say enough's enough, and they have to go make the play, and they can't be stupid about it. But they have to go take calculated risks, and that's where Drayk's at, and he's moving forward."

Bowen has picked things up well so far, but there is another level he needs to get to as the team gets closer to the end of the spring.

"For all these guys, we have a room that's pretty - knock on wood - for the most part know what we're supposed to do," Bullough explained. "Now, it's we have to take the next level and take these calculated risks. We have to take these shots when we have them and lead the defense."

Of course, Bowen's offseason is different than the rest of his position mates. Bowen is also a member of the Notre Dame baseball team, and he has to balance developing as a football player and being part of the baseball squad. It's a challenge for Bowen, and he was willing to talk away from it if needed, but Bullough supported his desire to play both sports as long as his talented sophomore was able to handle the physical rigors of both.

Bowen took charge of the plan to play both sports.

"It was bothering him; he came up and talked to me right as this is about to get started," Bullough explained. "'I want to play baseball, I love baseball.' I think other sports are good for our guys - basketball, baseball, as they grow up - spatial awareness, stuff like that. But he was very clear with me and said, 'Football was my priority, I don't want to play baseball to affect football. So, can I play baseball and that be a reality or do I have to shut it down?'

"I don't want to tell him that, the kid loves baseball," continued Bullough. "We talked, this is your priority, Drayk, we have a competitive room. So, if you're tired, if you can't be at things, then you're going to get passed up. So, if you can handle your schedule, and the big thing for him has been can you handle your rest? Because that's what gets taken from is his rest, and he's been able to do that."

So Bowen charges on as a two-sport athlete at Notre Dame, but it's clear what his ultimate objective is. Bowen wants to be a difference maker on the gridiron, and a force in the middle of the Irish defense. He continues to work towards that goal, and he's gotten closer to it all spring.

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