Lynn

Bowden Jr.

Note that Bowden was announced as a running back. Bowden (5'11/204) cemented his name as a Kentucky legend with eight school records over his three years with the Wildcats including single-season yards per carry (7.9) and most 100-yard rushing games by a quarterback in school history, finishing with over 1,000 yards in all receiving, rushing and kickoff return categories. Those aren’t typical numbers for wide receivers at the next level, but Bowden’s Swiss-army knife skillset as a hybrid QB/RB/WR projects him as the next Taysom Hill for any offense willing to get creative. His 34/233/2 rushing line in the Belk Bowl against Louisville will certainly have him on scouts radars. Legendary football executive Gil Brandt ranked Bowden as his No. 44 overall player (and WR7) ahead of the draft.

Bowden, as you likely remember, spent much of the year as the Wildcats’ quarterback, but that won’t be where he plays in the NFL -- at least not on a regular basis. “There is no polished technical prowess or route running here, but where Bowden wins is with his quickness, physicality, ball skills, and, most importantly, elusiveness,” writes Farabaugh. He also notes that because the 6-foot-1, 199-pound wideout will need to play off the line since he struggles against press coverage. Still, we’ve seen what Bowden can do with the ball in his hands, and if he’s not playing in the boundary, it’s easy to see Bowden succeeding at the highest level.

Finding a true position for Bowden (6'1/199) is a tricky job, but on special teams, it doesn’t matter. None of that position designation mumbo jumbo means anything on special teams. QB, RB, WR, whatever -- Bowden could make a great returner regardless of what he plays on offense. Pauline writes Bowden is an “explosive athlete” with a “rough-and-tumble style” to the way he carries the ball. If a team can snag Bowden on Day 3, they just may find themselves an elite returner who could be groomed into an offensive weapon.

“While [Bowden is] a slot receiver by position,” Zierlein writes, “creative play-callers can use him as a zone-read quarterback and as a gadget receiver for jet sweeps and a variety of short catch-and-run screens.” The 6-foot-1, 199-pound Kentucky do-everything dude started at quarterback for the final eight games of the 2019 season after injuries thinned out the team’s traditional depth at the position. Zierlein notes that this quarterbacking stint did serve to slow Bowden’s development at receiver, but believes that “his return talent and versatility gives him a chance to contribute immediately (in the NFL) as he waits to become a starting slot.” We could potentially see Bowden come off the board as early as Day 2 if a pro team falls in love with him this spring.

Bowden (6'1/199) had verbally indicated that he would declare for the draft in mid-December, but has now made the decision official. He showed off tremendous versatility by taking over as the Wildcats starting quarterback in week seven when injuries decimated their quarterback unit. Bowden deftly spearheaded a potent option-style rushing attack, carrying 185 times for 1,468 yards and thirteen touchdowns along with 403 yards passing and a three-to-three ratio in only seven games at quarterback. He also led the team in receiving with 30 receptions for 348 yards and a touchdown. Pro Football Network’s Andrew DiCecco considers Bowden to be a third round prospect and Mel Kiper ranks Bowden as the 10th best wide receiver in the 2020 draft class.

Bowden (6'1/199) declared for the draft in mid-December, but opted to stick it out with his team for one last showing in bowl action. The reigning Paul Hornung Award winner lit it up in Tuesday’s contest. He had several highlight-reel runs, including touchdown sprints of 25 and 61 yards in the first and third quarters, respectively. He finished off the game leading a go-ahead touchdown drive with under a minute remaining, hooking up with Josh Ali on a 13-yard touchdown pass with just 15 seconds before the end of the contest. Bowden -- who started the team’s final eight games at quarterback -- closed out the 2019 campaign topping 100 yards rushing in each of his last six games. With this successful Belk Bowl showing in the books, Bowden will now get started on his draft prep. He makes for a dynamic, versatile option who could pay dividends as a mid-round selection in the spring.

Bowden (6'1/199) was as much a frontrunner for the Hornung as Joe Burrow is for the Heisman. The do-everything athlete began the year innocently enough at receiver, but found himself starting the final seven games of the campaign at quarterback due to injuries and circumstance. For the campaign, Bowden caught 30 passes for 348 yards and a touchdown, passed for 330 yards (46.8% completions) with a 2/2 TD/INT ratio, racked up 216 yards on returns and rushed for 1,235 yards (8.2 YPC) and 11 touchdowns across 12 games played. Phew. That’s a worthy Hornung winner if ever there was one. Bowden is the first-ever Kentucky player to have this honor bestowed upon him.

Bowden (6'1/199) began his Kentucky career as a dynamic wide receiver and kick returner, but the 2019 required even more from the Youngstown, Ohio native. With Kentucky’s top two quarterbacks going down with season-ending injuries, the junior was moved to quarterback. And while Bowden, who played quarterback in high school, wasn’t a prolific passer his ability as a runner proved to be more difficult for defenses to handle that originally anticipated. He heads into the bowl game with 1,235 rushing yards and 11 rushing touchdowns with an average of 8.1 yards per carry, and he’s also thrown for 330 yards and two touchdowns with two interceptions. As a receiver, Bowden caught 30 passes for 348 yards and a touchdown before moving to quarterback. He will play in the Belk Bowl December 31 when the Wildcats take on Virginia Tech in Charlotte. The move to quarterback does complicate his draft prospects some, but Bowden’s big play ability should grab the attention of NFL scouts.

Bowden (6'1/199) has adapted to running Kentucky’s option offense well as they rushed for a ridiculous 517 yards on 40 carries today against Louisville’s over-matched defensive front. It was the second straight game that Bowden has completed only one pass as Kentucky has essentially abandoned the passing game. This is Bowden’s sixth 100-yard effort in his past seven games as Kentucky ends the regular season on a three game win streak. Kentucky now has seven wins and will be bowl-eligible for the fourth consecutive season.

Kentucky has essentially given up on the pass for the time being, as Bowden (6'1/199) has only managed 209 yards passing in the past five games. The injury induced decision to run the option has paid off as Kentucky is 3-1 over their last four games. Bowden didn’t have to do too much today, rushing only 11 times when he had carried the ball at least 17 times in each of his previous four games. Bowden has shown to be a versatile weapon for the now bowl eligible Wildcats who have emerged from the bottom of the SEC East into a respectable program. HC Mark Stoops’ staff has deftly adapted their offensive system in the face of injuries to fit their personnel and still win games. The Wildcats will try to make it a seven-win regular season when they host in-state rival Louisville this Saturday.