Top 2023 LB Drayk Bowen Excited to See Alabama & Notre Dame

Starting on Tuesday, colleges across the nation can begin to host recruits on campus once again as the NCAA Dead Period will officially be over. 

2023 Andrean (Ind.) linebacker Drayk Bowen‍ will make his way to South Bend on June 1st and college visits are something he's been looking forward to for quite some time. 

"It's going to really cool to meet them in person," Bowen stated. "I want to see who I like and what campuses I like." 

Notre Dame might have an early advantage with the 6-foot-2, 215-pounder as defensive coordinator Marcus Freeman has had a long-standing relationship with Bowen dating back to Cincinnati.

The Bearcats were Bowen's first offer and it's something that hasn't been forgotten. However, the conversation is starting to learning more about each other as people as of late. 

"A lot of it has been asking how my family is and getting to know me a lot more as a person," said Bowen. "He's talked a lot about their defense and where I fit into the scheme and what they're trying to do." 

Freeman also held a Zoom a few weeks ago and explained the Notre Dame defense in-depth, which was a big hit with Bowen and his family. 

"He told me about their philosophy," explained Bowen. "What he took from Cincinnati and what he implemented at Notre Dame. It was the foundation of the defense and then he showed a little bit of their actual defense and what they run during the game." 

Bowen would be used on the edge of Notre Dame's defense, but his future position differs depending on the school. 

"Notre Dame sees me at that hybrid between safety and linebacker," stated Bowen. "Alabama said they want me as a Mike linebacker. Clemson said outside linebacker and Ohio State said Will.

"I'd like to play outside linebacker, but I don't really have a preference." 

Alabama is the only other visit locked in as of now for Bowen as he'll see Tuscaloosa at the end of June. 

"I'm really just calling them now and they've been trying to get me down there," Bowen said. "We're going to go down for a baseball tournament." 

Another school Bowen could see when he makes his way down to Alabama is Auburn, who just offered on Thursday. 

"It was out of the blue," Bowen said of the Auburn offer. "Friday was the first day I talked to them and they offered." 

Ohio State is also in the mix as Bowen has been in consistent communication with the defensive staff in Columbus. 

"Right now, it's a lot of the same as Notre Dame," Bowen stated. "I've done a lot of Zooms with the defensive staff." 

Bowen does hope to play baseball and football in college, but college baseball is still in a Dead Period on the recruiting calendar, so he won’t be able to get an in-depth look at Link Jarrett’s program on Tuesday.