Oregon Football Signee Spotlight: Defensive Lineman Johnny Bowens III

Johnn Bowens joins Dan Lanning and the Ducks 2023 recruiting class as one of the more physical defensive players.

Oregon's 2023 recruiting class features a number of impressive defensive linemen as Dan Lanning and company work to retool their defense front.  

Continuing with our signee spotlight, today we're taking a look at Ducks defensive lineman signee Johnny Bowens III.

SIGNEE SPOTLIGHT: Oregon Five-star WR Jurrion Dickey

Vitals

-Height: 6’3”

-Weight: 265

-Hometown: Judson, TX

-High School: Judson High School

-Distinction: Adidas All-American

Evaluation

Turning on Bowens' film is something that would get any football fan hyped up just by how aggressive and locked in he is on the field. Whether it’s stuffing the run or getting constant quarterback pressure, the 6-foot-3 defensive lineman can get it done.

What stood out to me was his body control when it came to attacking the ball carrier. Once Bowens made a first initial push through the offensive tackle it was game of chase that he mostly won.

Even if the quarterback or running back was able to bounce it out to the opposite side of the field, Bowens would ultimately be there to bring him down for a tackle for loss. His long arms help him bat a lot of balls down that were thrown in his direction as well. 

Bowens likes to attack between the guard and tackle and still finds a way to fit all 265 pounds of him in between them like it's nothing. His biggest attribute is going to be that first initial move to beat the linemen in front of him.

His bigger set frame is complimented by his quickness and physical power getting off the ball. Bowens was a late addition into the Adidas All-American Bowl game which allowed him to get some exposure nationally against the best high school athletes in the country.

The recruitment, how it happened

Bowens kicked off his recruitment in 2021 after a breakout sophomore season. After earning multiple scholarships within his home state of Texas, the defensive end committed to the Texas A&M Aggies in December of 2021 after visiting College Station twice in the summer and fall.

Following his commitment, he reeled in offers throughout the country including Miami, LSU and Oklahoma. Oregon first offered Bowens in February of 2022, which then led to an unofficial visit in June. Three days after that visit Bowens de-committed from the Aggies.

After an official visit to Oregon in September, then Texas A&M in November Bowens made it official and committed to Lanning and the Ducks on Thanksgiving of last year. He put pen to paper and signed signed the next month during the early signing period. Bowens played in the Adidas All-American Bowl last month and promptly enrolled early at Oregon.

Outlook at Oregon

The Ducks will be able to see how Bowens adapts to the college level fairly quickly since he's on campus and will participate in spring practice. Something that helps both him and the program is the amount of talent that's coming in at his position.

The Ducks will lose their outside linebacker DJ Johnson to the NFL Draft this year, but they're bringing back Brandon Dorlus and Mase Funa while adding South Carolina transfer Jordan Burch into that outside linebacker mix. Burch finished third in total tackles with 60 on the Gamecocks last season to go along 3.5 sacks, 14 quarterback hurries and a fumble recovery.

Bowens also joins an impressive bunch within both his position and class of signees. Five-star Matayo Uiagalelei, four-star’s Teitum Tuioti, Blake Purchase, and three-star Jaeden Moore all will be added into the defensive edge depth chart by next season.

Bowens has the natural talent to make a case for earning playing time, but he'll have to work his way up this spring if he wants to see that come fall camp. The defensive line should be one of the most improved positions in the program come next season with players like Bowens added to the roster.

Rankings rundown

247Sports Composite rating: 4-star (0.9210)

247Sports Composite ranking: No. 211 Natl., No. 26 DL, No. 37 in TX

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Rivals rating: 4-star (5.8)

Rivals ranking: No. 215 Natl., No. 15 DL, No. 37 in TX

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On3 consensus rating: 4-star (91.98)

On3 consensus ranking: No. 205 Natl., No. 23 DL, No. 36 in TX

READ MORE: Adrian Klemm leaving Oregon to join New England Patriots

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