Andrean’s Drayk Bowen pulled on a cap and unzipped his track jacket to reveal a T-shirt with the university’s name emblazoned across the front.
When the star junior linebacker announced his verbal commitment to Notre Dame, broadcast by CBS Sports HQ, the packed R-Bar and Grill in Highland erupted Wednesday night.
Sitting at a table, the 6-foot-2, 215-pound Bowen, who also plans to play baseball for the Irish, was surrounded by jerseys and helmets of football and baseball teams for which he played growing up. He had caps lined up from his three college finalists: Auburn, Clemson and, of course, Notre Dame.
“Academics were very, very high, competing for championships in baseball and football, the relationships I had,” Bowen said. “But probably the most important thing is that I was close to home and I could see my family grow up.
“I was talking to my family and my mentors. They were good to talk it out with, the pros and cons. I knew it was the place once I figured out I couldn’t find something wrong with it.”
Notre Dame had been viewed as the front-runner for Bowen, who is considered a five-star recruit, the consensus No. 2 linebacker nationally in the class of 2023 and the state’s top prospect. He attended two recent Irish games, which cemented his decision, having spent time with coach Brian Kelly and defensive coordinator Marcus Freeman, and absorbing “the fans and the atmosphere,” he said.
“That was the last thing I really needed to see,” Bowen said.
Bowen said he was talking to coaches from 27 college programs at one point. He narrowed his list to 12, then to a group of five that also had included LSU and Indiana, before naming his top three.
Bowen, who plans to study business, spent much of the summer into the fall traversing the country to visit schools. He could have prolonged the process, but there was no point.
“It’s been a lot,” Bowen said. “It’s been crazy. Being home 13 days in the summer, that was insane. Now that it’s over, it’s a relief. I can be with my family and friends and focus on the game I love without having to worry about everything else.
“I knew I was done. I knew there wasn’t going to be a school that could beat those three. Really it was just those three and finding the best of those ones. I just wanted it to be over. I wanted that relief to come off. I wanted to be done.”
Bowen is Northwest Indiana’s highest-rated recruit since Merrillville running back James Aldridge, who graduated in 2006 before also playing at Notre Dame.
This season is the second straight a Region player has chosen the Irish. JoJo Johnson, a defensive back who graduated earlier this year and starred at wide receiver for Merrillville, has been sidelined this season at Notre Dame with a torn ACL.
Valparaiso graduate Jeff Samardzija also played football and baseball for the Irish. He was a star wide receiver and has had a long MLB career as a pitcher.
“I definitely know it’s going to be a challenge because there’s a lot that goes into both sports in the offseason when the other one’s playing,” Bowen said. “Notre Dame has helped me put together a schedule they think is best. Overall, I think it’s a great plan.”
Bowen has 82 tackles for Andrean this season, with six for loss, two sacks and two interceptions. He also has rushed for 632 yards and 11 touchdowns on 97 carries and has 16 catches for 110 yards and two TDs. The 59ers (8-3) will play Whiting (5-6) for a Class 2A sectional title under coach Chris Skinner on Friday.
“I never wanted to ask him, but if you had asked me to guess, I would’ve said Notre Dame,” Skinner said. “It’s been pretty clear he’s enjoyed getting to know both their football and baseball staffs. He has a great relationship with some of the football coaches. It’s something he’s really come to appreciate.
“I’m just happy he has the opportunity he has. I also know he’s happy to make his decision. He was in my classroom a couple of days ago, and he was looking forward to making his decision. It’s been a long process. To his credit, he’s committed a lot of time to getting to know the schools’ coaching staffs and figuring out the best place for him.”
Amid the relief, Bowen also experienced joy on his special night.
“I’m definitely happy with my college decision,” Bowen said.
