After a stellar career at New Mexico Military Institute, Bowman was regarded as the prize junior college recruit when he enrolled at Nebraska in 2005. Then, a rash of leg problems occurred, forcing the talented pass defender to undergo two surgeries for a left knee anterior cruciate ligament. The first was in March 2006 after getting hurt during spring camp. He was sidelined once again in March 2007, after he ruptured his right knee patella tendon.

After a long rehabilitation period, Bowman returned to the lineup in 2007 after missing the previous season. He then suffered a left hamstring injury that would limit him to just four starting assignments in his final campaign. Many scouts feel he possesses prototypical size for an NFL cornerback. He also has great leaping ability and posted a Nebraska cornerback record in the 40-yard dash, clocking a 4.36 in January of 2006.

Bowman grew up on an Air Force base in Anchorage, Alaska. He was a standout at Bartlett High School, where he was a three-time first-team All-State selection and the state's Player of the Year as a senior. He also excelled on the hardwood at Bartlett, where his teammates included Kansas hoops star Mario Chalmers.

In 2003, Bowman enrolled at New Mexico Military Institute, playing football for head coach John O'Mara. He earned junior college All-American honors and was the second-ranked junior college recruit in the nation according to Rivals.com in 2004. In two seasons at the school, he intercepted 10 passes, including six as a sophomore when he scored two touchdowns on returns totaling 139 yards.

Bowman also had 18 pass break-ups as a freshman, but had just four breakups as a sophomore when teams threw away from his side of the field. He made more than 50 tackles as a freshman, including 40 solo stops, and as a sophomore had two fumble recoveries and two fumbles caused. In addition to his defensive accolades, he also saw spot duty on offense as a wide receiver.

Bowman selected Nebraska over offers from Oklahoma, Texas Tech and South Carolina among others in 2005. He missed the Pittsburgh contest with a leg injury, but started five late-season games at right cornerback. He produced 27 tackles (24 solos) with a pair of interceptions and 14 pass deflections during his first season with the Huskers.

Two leg surgeries wiped out his 2006 campaign, with Bowman returning to the field in 2007. A left hamstring forced him to leave the Southern California game and sit out the following week vs. Ball State. He managed to start four of 11 games, seeing action at nickel back and right cornerback. He would close out his short career by posting 29 tackles (22 solos) with a stop for a loss and a pressure. He also picked off and broke up another as a senior.

Positives: Has a lean, angular frame with good muscle tone, long arms, very large hands and minimal body fat … Has outstanding timed speed, but because of his injuries, it does not always translate to the football field … Before his injuries, he showed good hip snap, opening them up and not losing any acceleration in transition … Plays the ball in the air, displaying the leaping ability and timing to high point the throws … Has the valid recovery burst to get back on the route when beaten … Shows good balance and body control to adjust to the ball and adequate football instincts, finding the ball when playing in man coverage … Has adequate toughness as a hitter in run support and is an effective drag-down tackler … Works hard in the weight room, and when healthy he's a respected leader on the defense … Shows good strength in his jam and good playing speed to run in stride with wide receivers … Has good arm length to execute the press at the line of scrimmage and good hip rotation when changing direction … Has good ball reaction while in man coverage, when he can see the ball … Has adequate range and recovery ability, making up ground quickly when the ball is in the air … Shows good adjustment to the ball and is an adequate tackler in the open field … .Has a smooth backpedal with good length and stride, rather than taking choppy steps … Keeps position out of transition and is good at reacting to the route when he doesn't use a shuffle-and-bail technique at the X's.

Negatives: Has adequate quickness and redirection out of his breaks but, perhaps to compensate for his leg injuries, he seemed to be taking an extra couple of steps in transition as a senior (never did this before he was hurt) … Durability is a very big concern, as he looks like he has good timed speed vs. a stopwatch, but it did not translate to the field as a senior … Possesses marginal ability to play with his back to the quarterback, never turning around for the ball … Doesn't recognize deep routes when in his shuffle technique … Struggles to separate from blockers in run support … Has adequate ability to diagnose plays, but is late to see receivers running out routes … Has marginal ability to read and react to the run when getting run off by receivers … Displays a smooth backpedal and turn, but only marginal explosion out of his breaks … Occasionally loses receivers who are running vertical routes and slot receivers who are running in the flat while in zone coverage … A one-speed defensive back who possesses a marginal burst … Displays only adequate hands, showing some inconsistency when trying to field the ball, despite big, soft hands … Has only adequate toughness as a tackler in run support, lacking good aggression when making the hit … Needs to become more aggressive, as he shied away from blockers too much in run force, failing to keep outside containment.

Compares To: FABIAN WASHINGTON-Oakland … Husker cornerbacks need to come with a "buyer beware" tag on their jerseys. Washington proved to be a bust and injuries make Bowman a risky draft pick, despite his timed speed. He is never going to be an efficient open-field tackler and lacks great ball recognition skills. Sure, he can stay with the receivers on routes and break up a bunch of passes, but more often than not, he will bite on play-action and pump fakes, giving up the big play. Anything more than a seventh-round pick on this medical risk and a general manager will regret making that decision.

2005: Sat out the Pittsburgh game (9/17) with a leg contusion.

2006: Suffered a left knee anterior cruciate ligament in August camp, undergoing surgery and was lost for the season.

2007: Ruptured his right knee patella tendon in March camp, undergoing surgery … Left the Southern California contest (9/15) with a left hamstring pull that sidelined him for the next game vs. Ball State (9/22).

Campus: 4.43 in the 40-yard dash … 1.5 10-yard dash … 2.58 20-yard dash … 32-inch vertical jump … 10'5" broad jump … 335-pound bench press … 475-pound squat … 305-pound power clean … 33-inch arm length … 10 ¼-inch hands.

Combine: 4.39 in the 40-yard dash … 1.51 10-yard dash … 2.54 20-yard dash … 4.21 20-yard shuttle … 7.13 three-cone drill … 30 ½-inch vertical jump … 10'2" broad jump … Bench pressed 225 pounds 18 times.

Attended Bartlett (Anchorage, Alaska) High School … Three-time first-team All-State pick and named the state's Player of the Year as a senior … Also excelled in basketball, where his teammates included Kansas hoops standout Mario Chalmers.

Graduated in December 2007 with a degree in Sociology … Son of Zackary and Zelma Bowman, who live at Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska … Volunteered his time as a speaker during American Education Week, and on Nebraska's team hospital visits … Born 11/18/84 … Resides in Anchorage, Alaska.