Interview: Texas 2018 QB Alan Bowman Pushing Grapevine Forward with Gunslinger Abilities

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

A concern for many college coaches scouting high school players is that a prospect may have peaked at the lower level with little upside left. While coaches want a polished talent, knowing that a recruited player still has room for improvement is important. Despite having already thrown for 7,832 yards with 81 touchdowns, Class of 2018 quarterback Alan Bowman continues to trend upwards fine-tuning his skills year after year.

It is hard to not be impressed with Bowman’s growth and trajectory on the field. In just eight games played during the 2014 season he threw for 1,754 yards with 12 scores. During his sophomore year he helped take the Mustangs from a 3-8 team the year before to an 8-3 squad hitting 212-of-328, for 2,749 yards with 27 touchdowns against just seven picks.

The marked signs of improvement continued in 2016 with Grapevine posting a 10-2 record against opposing 5A squads. Their 6-3, 205 pound, playmaker in the pocket spun the ball for 3,329 yards with 42 touchdowns completing 247-of-353 pass attempts. While all the pass attempts, yards, and touchdowns scored went up, Bowman lowered his interception total to just six. Another steady trend for Bowman has been his accuracy. During his freshman season he completed passes at a 68 percent rate. In 2015 he hit 65 percent of his passes and then bested himself hitting 70 percent last season.

The 2016 District 8/5A Offensive MVP has received interest from top college programs like Missouri, Vanderbilt, Arkansas, Houston, Michigan, and Northwestern so far. The off-season camp circuit is a vital part of the recruiting process giving college coaches a chance to work one-on-one with rising talent to evaluate each player in person. Expect Bowman’s stock to rise over the coming months.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with one of the top players in the Lone Star State to get the inside scoop on his rise in the pocket during his high school career while covering his off-season plans.

Interview

Alan, you’ve been on the field since your freshman year competing against top Texas talent. How has your game evolved with time and experience?

“The game has definitely slowed down for me. As a freshman, the game was fast. I was playing against 18-year-old guys. That was tough. I now have an understanding of how football works. I now know how defenses work and how our offense works against those defenses. My upside then was my intelligence for the game but it was still nowhere near where I needed to be. The game has slowed down and I have learned how to prepare for games.”

What type of offense does Grapevine run?

“A four-wide spread.”

How does the offense fit your skill set on the field?

“I really think that the coaches have built the offense around me and what I am good at. We do a bunch of pre- and post-snap reads. One of my strengths is my accuracy and my downfield accuracy. We do not hesitate to go deep and vertical in the passing attack. We run a lot of RPO (Read Pass Option) to suck up the defense and then we hit them deep. On third and one, I can get the first down on an inside run. We have designed QB runs and draw plays in the offense as well.”

You mentioned you know how to better prepare for teams. How do you prepare for each game during the season?

“We have an extensive scouting report each week. Everyone gets a binder. In the binder there are four quadrants to study for the upcoming game with half of the binder consisting of notes. Before and after practice we have film sessions for 30 to 45 minutes. Our coaches explain everything that we need to know about our opponent. My QB coach goes over everything with me and what I need to look for against their defense. We go over all the scenarios. The coaches have helped me learn how to prepare for each game. Our JV scout team does a great job running the opposition’s defense in practice. I watch a lot of film on my own to help get me ready to play.”

What are you focused on with your mechanics this off-season?

“I don’t have a big problem with my mechanics. Some QBs dip the ball in the water lowering the ball. I don’t really do that but I do it ever so slightly every now and again. I have worked on getting my elbow forward on my throws. I have gone to a lot of camps to work on my throwing motion. The next level split second timing is huge. I have been working on a quicker release.”

What honors did you receive at the end of last season?

“I was 2016 District 8/5A MVP and I was an All-State honorable mention. If we had beat Aledo in the playoffs I feel that I more than likely would have been All-State.”

Each year Grapevine has improved with you in the pocket. The goal is always to win a state championship. How does the team look heading into the 2017 season with the returning talent on the roster?

“Our head coach took another job a couple of days ago. We are expecting a long process in the hiring of our next head coach. We are hopeful that some of our coaches stay with the team so we can run the same offense and the same defense. No matter what happens, one thing we have is a great culture and a basis of a great foundation. We have a strong base and a strong core. No matter what, we have a bunch of good players coming back. We have kids that were not playing joining the team wanting to be a part of our roster this season. Grapevine is a happening place. The expectations are high here and I think we will do well.”

Which schools are showing recruiting interest in you?

“Virginia coming is down to watch me during our spring ball. Iowa has shown interest. Arkansas was showing interest but I think they got a commit already. North Texas, SMU, UTSA (Texas-San Antonio), and Baylor are showing interest. I am going to Baylor’s Junior Day this weekend. Arizona State, Purdue, Rice, TCU, and Texas A&M have shown some interest. Missouri is recruiting me the hardest. N.C. State emailed me Tuesday night. Those are the schools I can think of right now.”

Did you take any visits in 2016?

“Yes, sir. I went to SMU, TCU, Missouri, and Texas A&M.”

You mentioned a visit to Baylor coming up. Do you have any other visits planned?

“I am going to SMU’s Junior Day. UTSA and Rice are two other visits. N.C. State wants me to visit them in Raleigh. That is a long trip. I’m not sure if I will be able to go there or not.”

From all the visits you have been on so far, what have you learned being in the college football environment?

“The speed of the game. Each level is one step up. Playing Power Five Conference football maybe two steps up. The windows become smaller and the preparation is more important. Academics are important too. You are a student athlete representing that school. You are not just a football player you are a student as well.”

With the Baylor visit, what has you excited about heading to Waco?

“One of my QB coaches played at Baylor. One of his old coaches is now there. Coach (Matt) Rhule (head coach) played at Penn State and so did my dad (Kirk Bowman) in the mid-80’s (1982-83). Going down there will make a nice connection for me with all of the coaches. They like my film. I want to see where I am at on their recruiting board. It is exciting to be there for their Junior Day to see their facilities and check everything out.”

Do you know which camps you may attend this spring and summer?

“I do not know which college camps I will attend yet. I went to the Nike Regional in Houston last weekend.”

How did that camp go for you?

“It went really well. There were about 60 quarterbacks there. Towards the end they bring everyone in for a 7v7 session. After that they announced the Top 5 QBs for the camp. I was one of the Top 5. I went to the Houston camp for exposure. I will be going to the one in Dallas too. I am planning on attending the Under Armour camp too.”

What is your cumulative GPA?

“I have a 4.3 out of 4.0 weighted GPA.”

Have you taken the ACT or SAT yet?

“I took the SAT my sophomore year and scored a 1110. I took it again in January. I feel like I did much better on it this time around. I don’t have the score yet.”

What’s your favorite part about playing football?

“My favorite part about playing football… there is a lot. I love leading the team when the game is on the line. Fourth and one, I want the ball in my hands. The position that I play allows me to have a huge impact on the game. On third and nine and we are down by six at the end of the game, I want the ball in my hands. The offseason is a process but if you work every day you will get better.”

Alan, thanks for your time today. Good luck with your visit to Baylor.

“Thank you.”

Click the link to see Alan Bowman’s Hudl highlight reel.

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Photo credit: Star-Telegram; No. 12 Alan Bowman pre-snap (2016).

Photo credit: hudl.com; No. 12 Alan Bowman rifles one downfield (2016).

Photo credit: Bowman family; Alan Bowman at Oregon.

Photo credit: Star-Telegram; No. 12 Alan Bowman finds a receiver downfield (2016).