Drayk Bowen

NFL Draft Profile: Drayk Bowen

Position: Inside Linebacker | School: Notre Dame | Class: Junior

Height: 6'2" | Weight: 235 lbs | Archetype: Hybrid (Run Stopper / Blitz Specialist)

College Career Summary

Drayk Bowen arrived at Notre Dame as one of the most decorated high school athletes in Indiana history (2022 High School Butkus Award, Indiana Mr. Football). A true dual-sport standout who also plays baseball for the Irish, Bowen’s football trajectory has been a steady climb toward dominance. After a rotational freshman year and a productive sophomore season where he led the team in forced fumbles (3), he stepped into a full-time leadership role in 2025.

In the 2025 season, Bowen proved to be the heartbeat of the Irish defense. He displayed a "old-school" physicality paired with modern-day sideline-to-sideline range. His season was highlighted by a historic 14 solo-tackle performance against Boston College, solidifying his reputation as a high-volume tackler who rarely misses his mark.

Highlight Career Stats:

• Games Played: 40

• Total Tackles: 159 (67 in 2025)

• Tackles For Loss (TFL): 9.0 (4.5 in 2025)

• Sacks: 4.5 (3.5 in 2025)

• Pass Breakups: 6 (4 in 2025)

• Forced Fumbles: 4 (0 in 2025)

2025 Season Game-by-Game Grades

Opponent	Stats	Grade	Key Performance Note
@ Miami (FL)	8 Tkl	B	Solid in debut as lead MIKE; physical in the gaps.
vs. Texas A&M	6 Tkl	B+	Strong Play Recognition against a power run game.
vs. Purdue	1 Tkl	C+	Worst Game. Limited impact; struggled to find rhythm.
@ Arkansas	4 Tkl, 2 QBH	B	Relentless High Motor; forced early throws.
vs. Boise State	5 Tkl, 1.0 Sk	A-	First sack of the year; elite Acceleration on the blitz.
vs. NC State	7 Tkl	B+	Sure-handed Tackling; led the team in stops.
vs. USC	5 Tkl, 2 PBU	A	Career day in Coverage; neutralized the intermediate pass.
@ Boston College	14 Tkl, 1.0 Sk, 1 PD	A+	Season Best. Pure dominance; 14 solo tackles is elite.
vs. Navy	5 Tkl	B	Disciplined against the triple-option; sound assignment.
@ Pittsburgh	2 Tkl, 1 PD	B-	Quiet stat sheet but effective in limiting the perimeter.
vs. Syracuse	3 Tkl, 1.0 Sk	B+	Explosive first step; generated a sack to force a 3-and-long.
@ Stanford	7 Tkl, 0.5 Sk	A-	Versatile; played both off-ball and on the edge.

Scouting Report

Strengths

• Technical Mastery: Bowen is a "weight room warrior" with exceptional Technique. He uses his hands effectively to disengage from climbing blockers and maintains a square base when tackling.

• Blitzing instincts: He excels as a Blitz Specialist. He has a natural feel for timing gaps and can convert speed-to-power when meeting backs in pass protection.

• Elite Stamina: As a multi-sport athlete, his conditioning is top-tier. He plays with the same intensity in the 4th quarter as he does in the 1st.

• Vocal Leader: Named a captain as a junior, he is the undisputed "quarterback" of the defense, handling all pre-snap adjustments.

Weaknesses

• Hip Stiffness: While fast in a straight line, he shows some slight stiffness in his hips when forced to change direction quickly in space, which can be exposed by twitchy NFL slot receivers.

• Long Speed: There are questions about his unverified "long speed." While he is explosive in short bursts (Acceleration), elite burners can occasionally outrun his pursuit angles on the edge.

• Coverage Depth: While his Play Recognition is high, he can sometimes get sucked in by play-action, leaving a void in the intermediate middle of the field.

Scheme Fit: Ideal MIKE or SAM in a 4-3 system that allows him to trigger downhill.

NFL Comparison: Logan Wilson (Bengals) / Jack Campbell (Lions)

Scout’s Final Word & Projection

Intangibles: 19/20 | Physical Tools: 17/20 | Attributes: 18/20 | Athleticism: 17/20 | IQ: 18/20

Final Grade: 89/100

Drayk Bowen is the definition of a "reliable" linebacker. He doesn't have the insane highlight-reel athleticism of a Harold Perkins, but he is a much more disciplined run defender. His 14-tackle performance against Boston College is the kind of tape that NFL GMs fall in love with—showing a player who can single-handedly eliminate a rushing attack. His dual-sport background suggests there is still untapped athletic ceiling as he focuses solely on football at the next level.

Draft Projection: 2nd - 3rd Round