Interview: 3-Star 2019 Arkansas QB Darius Bowers has No. 1 Fayetteville Looking Tough to Beat

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

A gridiron fight is brewing in Arkansas with Fayetteville High School building up to take on all challengers thanks in large part to the talents of Class of 2019 quarterback Darius Bowers. With impressive wins mounting and action in the state’s toughest conference upcoming, the Bulldogs are the new No. 1 team in Arkansas, per MaxPreps, unseating the defending state champs and still undefeated North Little Rock High School for now. There is a long way to go until playoff time, but Bowers (6-1, 190) has the Bulldogs looking tough.

Fayetteville moved past North Little Rock High School (3-0) in the state rankings over the weekend after taking down the No. 3 team in-state Bryant (36-35). The Bulldogs have also posted wins over Missouri’s Vianney (51-28) and Oklahoma powerhouse Owasso (45-31). Through the three games, Bowers has guided the Bulldogs to 132 total points scored hitting 64 of 94 pass attempts for 976 yards with nine touchdowns without throwing an interception. If his 68 percent completion percentage and touchdown to interception ratio did not impress, he has also rushed for 120 yards to keep the chains moving with accounting for five more scores posted.

Bowers’ hot start is not surprising after slinging the pigskin around the gridiron for 3,456 yards with 36 touchdowns along with 377 rush yards and seven more scores a year ago. His impressive abilities in the pocket has pulled in nine scholarship offers to date coming from Central Arkansas, Missouri State, Texas State, Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Northern Iowa, Southern Miss, Tennessee-Martin, Yale, and Dartmouth. His superb play on the field is matched in the classroom where he carries a 3.5 GPA and scored a 27 on the ACT.

In a Recruiting News Guru stylized catch-up interview, Bowers gave me insight on how his senior season is going with an update on his recruiting before the Bulldogs start 7A West Conference play against Bentonville West on Friday night.

*Click link for May 3, 2018, RNG interview with Darius Bowers

Interview

Darius, the Bulldogs have come out dealing on offense averaging 44 points per game. What all is working for you guys on that side of the ball to be so effective?

“I give the credit to our coaches, they are putting us in the right spot to make plays. It has been working for us. Our receivers are stepping up, the same with our offensive line. As an offense, we have been doing really well.”

The first three games of the season were not against push over teams topping Vianney (MO), Owasso (OK), and in-state power Bryant. Of those three games, which was the most challenging for your as a quarterback?

“The last game against Bryant was the most challenging. Their defense is huge and may be the biggest I have played against. They were athletic as well. It was hard to get stuff on them.”

How did that showdown help make you a better quarterback?

“Anytime you struggle but find a way to overcome it, it makes you tougher. I struggled in the third quarter, but we found a way to win in the fourth.”

Of the three games played, which was your best game and why do you consider that to be your best game?

“I’m not sure which was my best game. I guess I will go with Owasso. That was a game where I started well and finished well. I had rushing and passing touchdowns in that game.”

How are you seeing your passing game improve this season over a year ago?

“I am more accurate than last year, and I am more consistent. Sometimes I would throw short here and there last year. I am far more consistent this year.”

How are you preparing for each game week to week?

“I study the defense every day. I make sure our game plan is matching what we are seeing from their defense, then we go practice that. We create new plays if needed and throw out what is not working. By game time, we know what will happen and what is going on with their defense.”

You guys go into conference play on Friday taking on an area rival in Bentonville West, what kind of game are you expecting from the Wolverines’ defense?

“I expect them to come out fired up. This is a big game.”

Turning to recruiting. Which schools are showing interest?

“South Alabama, Princeton, Missouri, Air Force, North Texas, Arkansas State, Tulsa, Louisiana Tech, Louisiana-Monroe, Harvard, and a few others I cannot think of right now.”

How many offers do you have now?

“I have nine offers.”

Because you have so many offers, have you started thinking about a commitment date yet?

“I will wait until our season is over to make a decision. I want to play out my senior season before I make a decision and before I start taking my visits.”

Makes sense. What will influence your final decision on which school you will attend and the program you will play football for at the next level?

“My decision will be influenced by the place where I am comfortable around the coaches and the guys on the team. I am looking for a good academic program, a place where they care about school as much as athletics.”

Darius, great catching up with you today. Good luck against Bentonville West on Friday.

“Thank you.”

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Photo credit: NWA Democrat-Gazette; No. 5 Darius Bowers vs. Bryant