2023 Notre Dame LB Commit Drayk Bowen Recaps Latest Visit

Notre Dame has changed quite a bit since 2023 linebacker commit Drayk Bowen‍ had last been on campus for a recruiting visit. 

Marcus Freeman is now the head coach for the Fighting Irish and the staff has seen quite the turnover, but Bowen didn’t feel any negative changes during his trip to campus on Saturday. 

"It was pretty fun and laidback,” Bowen told ISD. “I got to meet some recruits, but I also got to hang out with Brenan Vernon‍, Christian Gray‍ and Preston Zinter‍.” 

Gray has been a long-time Notre Dame target and someone who has connected well with Bowen over the last few months. The two got to know each other during fall visits, but now they hold weekly gaming sessions with 2023 Notre Dame commit Peyton Bowen‍. 

"Christian wasn't there super long, but I got to talk to him a little bit,” explained Bowen. “We've been playing video games together. He was getting on me for not being good at PlayStation.

“Preston was pretty cool too." 

Bowen also got to mix it up with the new staff, while also getting some time in the film room and of course, one-on-one time with Freeman. 

"It was cool getting to meet Al Washington for the first time after talking to him when he was at Ohio State,” Bowen stated. “I got to watch film with Coach Nick (Lezynski). 

"Talking to Coach Freeman was awesome. We just talked about football for a little bit." 

Notre Dame’s personnel staff also had a surprise for the recruits as they arrived on campus with a Men in Black theme. Chad Bowden and others hide outside in 10-degree weather as the recruits showed up at The Gug. 

"I thought it was really fun,” said Bowen. “Coach Bowden game out to our car with a frozen beard. All of the guys were freezing. I thought it was really funny and I enjoyed it." 

Ranking
ISD: 93 (four-star)
247: 93 (four-star)
Rivals: 6.0 (four-star)
ESPN: 86 (four-star)
Composite: 98.32 (four-star)