Despite lacking the bulk you expect from a linebacker, Bowen has developed into a tackling machine. He led the nation in solo tackles (95) and tackles per game (12.92) as a junior and was the team leader in both categories in his two years starting for the Cyclones.

Because of his pass coverage ability and range, Bowen is also being eyed as a possible strong safety prospect by professional teams. Opposing coaches in the Big 12 Conference praised his loose hips and ability to get good depth in his pass drops, as they labeled him the pass coverage linebacker in the league.

At Montclair High School, Bowen led his team to the 2002 New Jersey state title in Group 4 competition. He overcame an ankle injury in the semifinals, and ran for 213 yards in the championship game, as he lettered twice as a fullback and linebacker.

Bowen enrolled at Garden City Community College in 2003, but did not play football, concentrating on his academics. He was an All-Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference first-team selection in 2004, as he started 10 games at weak-side linebacker for the Broncbusters. He led the team with 77 tackles (57 solos), adding five sacks, a league-high 14 stops for losses and six quarterback pressures. He also recovered a fumble and caused two others.

Bowen transferred to Iowa State in 2005, playing in 12 games as a reserve outside linebacker. He delivered 33 tackles (19 solos), a sack, two stops behind the line of scrimmage and three pressures. He also caused one fumble.

In 2006, Bowen was named All-Big 12 Conference first-team, as he registered a league-high 155 tackles (95 solos), the sixth-best season total in school history (also ranks fifth in conference season annals). He added one sack and five stops for losses. He picked off two passes, deflected three others and also caused and recovered a fumble.

Even though he failed to come close to his 2006 totals, Bowen actually had a more dominant season in 2007, again garnering All-Big 12 Conference first-team honors. He led the squad and ranked sixth in the league with 99 tackles (67 solos), adding two sacks and 12 ½ stops behind the line of scrimmage. He caused five fumbles, recovered another, broke up two passes and had one interception.

In 36 games at Iowa State, Bowen started 24 contests at weak-side outside linebacker. He delivered 287 tackles (181 solos) with four sacks for minus-32 yards and 19 ½ stops for losses totaling 71 yards. He added seven quarterback pressures with seven forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. He gained 22 yards on three interceptions and deflected five passes.

Positives: Has a lean, but muscular frame with good balance, body control and quickness to make tackles on the move … Demonstrates good competitiveness on the field and hustles to the ball, playing until the whistle … Leads by example, but has become more vocal … Displays good playing strength in one-on-one battles with lead blockers, but will get engulfed by offensive linemen if he fails to avoid them … Shows good effort in pursuit and is generally a solid wrap-up tackler (gets a bit reckless when he tires later in games … Has good athletic ability to play man coverage, despite only adequate playing speed (just needs to stop biting on the QB's pump fakes) … Shows good toughness to run through tailback blocks while blitzing … Might lack explosiveness, but is a solid downhill player who does a good job of keeping plays in front of him … Has enough power to stack the lead blocker (not enough vs. offensive linemen) … When he keeps his hands active and within his frame, he does a good job of keeping separation when taking on blocks (will get swallowed up by bigger blockers when he doesn't use his hands to protect his body) … Has the hand punch and placement to jam the tight ends off the line and showed improvement warding off blocks in second level traffic … Has the punch to jolt and reroute the short-area receivers … Has the ability to come off a block and run down the ballcarrier when applying backfield pressure … Will widen with a lead blocker and flashes the ability to separate off them to make the play vs. the outside run … Takes good angles chasing down the ballcarrier, and while not sudden to redirect he pursues hard until the whistle … Has adequate hip flexibility dropping back in the zone, showing no problems turning and running to the ball once he locates the path of the pass … Has better route awareness in off coverage than when playing man up … Charges hard through the inside gaps and has enough forward quickness to run stunts … Can contribute on special teams, whether covering kicks or as a blocker.

Negatives: Lacks ideal size to play linebacker, but has struggled to add bulk in the past … Appears stiff in his hips and has a tough time trying to redirect suddenly (needs to gather) … Being looked at as a safety due to his zone coverage skills, but has marginal playing speed and his burst is only adequate … Needs to be monitored in the training room, as he will do what is asked, but nothing more (not a fan of lifting weights) … Does not take well to hard coaching (will sulk for days when he is challenged by the staff and needs to develop tougher skin) … Quick to close when he locates the ball, but is not instinctive reading keys or diagnosing plays … Feels his way through traffic, but does not have the strength or explosion to fill gaps and to gain leverage vs. blockers at the X's … Struggles to shed blockers due to marginal hand usage and will get engulfed by the larger offensive linemen at the line of scrimmage … Lacks natural hands to secure the interception outside his frame … Hesitant at times when needed to handle switch-offs in the zone and will eyeball the quarterback too long and bite on pump fakes … Best when playing on the move, as he is easily contained when trying to match up with blockers at the line … Must remain consistent in his wrap-up technique, as he will dive at ballcarriers or take a side (usually when he tires later in games) … Had good success making tackles in the backfield, but he needs to generate better avoidance skills, as he will simply run into a blocker and get washed out for his efforts … Sometimes gets too tall in his stance and must learn to play at a lower pad level in order to generate better pop on contact when trying to drag down the ballcarrier.

Compares To: CATO JUNE-Tampa Bay … In order to be successful as a linebacker, Bowen is going to have to play in a Cover-2 system, as he lacks the bulk to be an impact player at the line of scrimmage. Like June, he is best making plays on the move rather than taking on big boys up front. Some teams are also looking at him as a safety, but he lacks the timed speed to play that position and has poor eyes looking into the backfield, where he bites a lot on pump fakes and misdirection. At worse, he brings good value to a team as a special team gunner, but he will be limited to certain schemes in finding a home on defense.

2002: Played the entire semifinal game of his high school senior year with a high ankle sprain.

Campus: 4.74 in the 40-yard dash … 325-pound bench press … 34 ½-inch vertical jump … 35-inch arm length … 10-inch hands.

Combine: 4.79 in the 40-yard dash … 1.62 10-yard dash … 2.74 20-yard dash … 4.32 20-yard shuttle … 12.30 60-yard shuttle … 7.21 three-cone drill … 34-inch vertical jump … 9'11" broad jump … Bench pressed 225 pounds 15 times.

Attended Montclair (N.J.) High School, playing football as a running back and linebacker for head coach Ed Lebida … Led his team to the 2002 New Jersey state title in Group 4 competition … Overcame an ankle injury in the semifinals, and ran for 213 yards in the championship game.

Liberal Studies major, attaining a 2.9 grade point average … Nicknamed "Ace" … Son of Angela Robinson … Born 12/24/83 … Resides in East Orange, New Jersey.