New Era of Leadership: Drayk Bowen and Jaden Greathouse Step Up for Notre Dame
It’s a new year and Notre Dame needs to find new leadership.
The Fighting Irish had the luxury of having great leaders return over the last few years, but this will truly be the first year under Marcus Freeman that the program is searching for a fresh set of leaders.
The coaching staff has made it clear that several players have stepped up since Notre Dame returned from the national title game, yet Drayk Bowen and Jaden Greathouse keep being name-dropped at the Irish Athletic Center podium.
For Bowen, it’s not just about taking over the linebacker room, but the whole defense. As the Mike backer, a position some analysts didn’t believe he would play, communication and leadership for vital for the success of the defense.
“I’m trying to be more of a vocal leader,” stated Bowen. “I hold myself to a high standard. In the linebacker room, we certainly hold ourselves to a high standard. So, making sure that nobody’s playing below that standard and being more vocal within the defense and the linebacker room. Making sure that we’re doing everything the right way.”
Linebackers coach Max Bullough wants to see his room take over the defense, and he’s seen Bowen embrace and step into the shoes vacated by Jack Kiser.
“Drayk has thus far been the bell cow,” explained Bullough. “Stepped out in front, been the guy that people listen to him. He’s done things right year after year here. He’s made plays, he’s communicated, commanded the defense.
“He’s put himself in a position where his teammates trust him, and I’m sure that’s ultimately his goal. That’s a great feeling. That’s what you come here to do. You come here to gain your teammates’ trust, to gain your coaches’ trust, and to be that guy. That’s what Drayk is in the middle of right now.”
Bowen finished his first year as a starter with 78 tackles, one sack and three forced fumbles, which is a high production level and more than enough to prove to his teammates he could play ball.
But the Indiana native made a tough decision to show his teammates he was ready to be the face of the defense by stepping away from baseball.
It wasn’t an easy decision for Bowen, but the 6-foot-2, 238-pounder knows his immediate future is one the football field.
“I talked to coaches,” Bowen stated. “Is baseball something I should do? I talked to the baseball staff. When would they want me back? For me, it was just gathering as much information as I can to make the right decision. When you looked at everything, it was just, ‘All right, well, baseball’s probably not an option for me right now. It’s probably just time to go hang it up and go play football.’”
For Greathouse, the Texas native is now one of the oldest guys in the room academically, but in terms of experience.
It’s a little odd to say that about a player who is still technically a sophomore, but Greathouse has logged just under 800 snaps in his first two seasons at Notre Dame.
“Even some of the freshmen are calling me ‘Unc’ and I’m only 20,” laughed Greathouse. “I guess I’m one of the older guys because we don’t have COVID guys anymore. It’s definitely a blessing to be in this position to be an example for everybody else in the room and to lead by example and help everyone else. It’s something I’m conscious of every day and I’m trying to push myself and everyone else to be better every day.”
Greathouse is known for his work ethic so he didn’t need too much of a boost to earn respect in the room, but he provided one for the Irish to close the year.
In Notre Dame’s final two games of the College Football Playoff, Greathouse tallied 13 catches for 233 yards and three touchdowns. When you shine on the bright stage, everyone notices, and Greathouse embraces the high bar he set in January.
"It's really just about having a relentless mindset every single day and understanding why I'm here and why I play the game that I love and why I'm out here every day when it's early in the morning and it's cold,” explained Greathouse. “I work hard every single day and I find new ways to push myself to achieve my goals and make the people that support me proud of me."
Receivers coach Mike Brown has noticed a change in Greathouse since the Orange Bowl and National Title and it’s a good one.
“He's walking around different, his confidence is really, really high just because of where he left off,” explained Brown. “It's one thing I'm sure in his mind he's like, I know the player that I can be and we all know the player that we think he can be, but then when you actually do it, it's another level of confidence.
“He's playing really fast right now. He's playing really confident and he's continuing to grow and the best thing about it is he's continuing to be hungry and learn. He's becoming a better leader in everything that he's doing. I'm excited about his trajectory and I think obviously he has a really, really bright, bright future.”
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