Oklahoma State starting quarterback Alan Bowman celebrated what is supposed to be his last first day of college on Monday. However, based on the Texas-native’s unusual college football career thus far, there is no telling whether it will actually be the last year.
He is in the 19th grade!
Bowman turned 24 years old in March and it is not a Brandon Weeden situation. The current Cowboys signal-caller did not play professional baseball before his time in Stillwater like his Pokes predecessor.
This will actually be his seventh season of college football.
Bowman began his career in 2018 and spent at least two years at three different schools. Assuming that everything goes according to plan, barring yet another unforeseen eligibility waiver, Oklahoma State will be the last stop and 2024 will be the last year.
To put Bowman’s journey in perspective, he was a three-star recruit in the Class of 2018. Other quarterbacks from that year include Trevor Lawrence, Joe Milton and Will Levis.
Lawrence was drafted by the Jaguars in 2021. Levis is entering his second year as the starter for the Tennessee Titans. Milton is fighting for a roster spot as a rookie on the Patriots.
Meanwhile, Bowman is going to be the second-year starter for Mike Gundy.
I make jokes, everyone is like, “You were in eighth grade whenever I started my first game. You were in like seventh grade when I did that.” Of course everyone kind of banters with me being old — the old guy, the old head. But it’s OK. That’s what you get for coming back. I expect that […]
I’m a joking guy. I understand, I feel like, if you’re giving me crap about being in college for seven years. Like, I deserve it, you know what I mean. If we’re all just joking about it I think it’s healthy.
— Alan Bowman
The 6-foot-3, 220-pound quarterback originally committed to Texas Tech out of high school, transferred to Michigan after three years in Lubbock, then landed at Oklahoma State in 2023. His career thus far breaks down as follows:
- 2018: Texas Tech
- 227 completions for 2,638 yards and 17 touchdowns
- 2019: Texas Tech
- 101 completions for 1,020 yards and six touchdowns
- 2020: Texas Tech
- 150 completions for 1,602 yards and 10 touchdowns
- 2021: Michigan
- Two completions for nine yards
- 2022: Michigan
- Six completions for 60 yards and a touchdown
- 2023:
- 270 completions for 2,058 yards and 13 touchdowns
Alan Bowman dealt with multiple injuries while with the Red Raiders, including a collapsed lung, fractured rib, cracked collarbone, shoulder issues and an ankle sprain. He received a medical redshirt because of the hardship(s).
Bowman was the backup with the Wolverines and did not play in more than four games either year, which allowed him to take a traditional redshirt. Every athlete was granted an additional year of eligibility in 2020.
As a result, this upcoming season — 19th grade — will be Bowman’s fourth year of regular eligibility!