Clemson’s Bowers makes defense go

By Robert Rousseau  |   Sunday, April 05, 2009  |  Comments( 3 )

Clemson Tigers
Got something to say?

Log In above and share your thoughts on this topic with other fans!

Clemson defensive end Da'Quan Bowers is a youngster who has enough potential to turn into one of college football's best players in recent memory.

Bowers missed last week's scrimmage because of a class and the offense had a good day running the ball. This past Saturday, though, he showed up, totaling three of a dominant defense's 13 sacks; he also amassed four tackles for losses.

“On defense I thought Da’Quan Bowers was outstanding," head coach Dabo Swinney said afterward. "The defense had a very good day in general."

What he didn't have to say was that Bowers makes this defense a force. Without him, they're hardly the same. Of course, Bowers' ability has been known for sometime now: He was offered a scholarship by Clemson before he ever played a down of high school football. After racking up 97 tackles -- 33 for a loss -- and 14 sacks during his senior season, Bowers was considered the best defensive end (and to some, the best player) coming out of high school in 2008. What's more, he accumulated 1,219 yards rushing and 19 touchdowns.

Amazing. Of course, Bowers was also outstanding as a freshman last season. With rare speed and explosiveness, he managed 47 tackles and was selected to a variety of freshman all-America teams. This season, don't be surprised if the freshman part is left off of the all-America equation. If Bowers continues to work hard, he may end up being one of those players whom fans talk about for years to come.

He could be a truly great one.
Got something to say?

Log In above and share your thoughts on this topic with other fans! (3)

About Robert Rousseau

Robert Rousseau is a sports writer that has been published in a variety of print and online venues. He’s been writing for RealFootball365.com for almost three years now. When Rousseau isn’t writing about college football he tends to be penning mixed martial arts pieces for MMAFighting.com or ...
read more
Article Tools Share!   |  RSS  |  Bleacher Report About Bleacher Report