Top 2023 LB Drayk Bowen Discusses Marcus Freeman, Baseball & More
The regular season didn't end the way Andrean (Ind.) and 2023 linebacker Drayk Bowen wanted as they fell 17-7 to Lowell on Friday night.
Andrean will now share the Northwest Crossroads Conference with Lowell and Hobart. The frustrating night was made a little better for Bowen as Notre Dame defensive coordinator Marcus Freeman was in the building.
Freeman (and three of his sons) coming out in a rainstorm for two hours wasn't lost on the composite five-star prospect.
"I thought it was awesome," Bowen told ISD. "It shows he cares and it meant a lot to me that he came out."
Bowen's relationship with Freeman dates back to Cincinnati as the Bearcats were the first program to offer the Indiana native.
Over the last year, the two have learned about each other and it's led to Bowen seeing Freeman as a coach.
Bowen comes from a large family as he has two younger siblings and another one on the way. He's noticed how involved Freeman has been with his family while being one of the top defensive coordinators in the country.
"He did the same thing I'm doing," explained Bowen. "He did it in high school, college and he played in the NFL. That's all appealing, but he just appeals to me at a personal level.
"He has six kids, so he knows what it's like and he gets it."
The fact Freeman also played the linebacker position is another comforting factor for Bowen.
"That's definitely a positive because he gets the position," Bowen said. "He can help me a little better."
Football is just one part of Bowen's recruitment as academics and baseball are also extremely important factors.
There have been some who wondered how much baseball means to the 6-foot-2, 215-pounder and he answered that on Friday night.
"Academics, football and then baseball are the top three factors for me right now," stated Bowen. "Baseball outside of academics and football is probably the biggest part of my recruitment."
Bowen made the 11-hour drive to Auburn last weekend with his dad and brother after their Southwest flight was canceled at the last minute as getting to see both programs up close was important for his recruitment.
Auburn's baseball facilities and tradition aren't a secret, but Bowen felt Notre Dame's baseball program stacked up well outside a few areas.
"It's hotter down there and maybe a little more money to it just because it's the SEC," Bowen stated. "There wasn't too much different."
As for the next step of his recruitment, Bowen doesn’t have a commitment date in mind and is taking it week by week. Bowen plans to visit Notre Dame the next two weekends as the Irish host USC and North Carolina.
"I'm not sure," Bowen said of a commitment date. "I'm going to Notre Dame next Saturday and we'll go from there."
Top 5: Auburn, Clemson, Indiana, LSU and Notre Dame
Ranking
ISD: 92 (four-star)
247: 93 (four-star)
Rivals: 6.0 (four-star)
ESPN: 86 (four-star)
Composite: 98.68 (five-star)