Zack Bowman CB Nebraska
SOBO SEZ: Much like the Nebraska program in recent years,
Bowman never lived up to expectations.
Any Cornhusker fan will say the cornerback was one the biggest teases on the
roster. Potentially a shutdown defender, the former “Blackshirt” was plagued by
injuries throughout his career.
Some of the talented defender’s erratic play this past season can be
explained away by an ACL tear suffered in Bowman’s junior campaign and then a
patellar tear this past spring. Even so, Bowman displayed very good speed at the
NFL Combine when he tore up the track with a 4.38 forty yard dash.
From watching film, it seems to me that the corner can drive on the ball as
well as any in this draft class. His lateral speed is not as good as his
straight line speed though. Remember, the rule of thumb is it takes two full
years after a major knee injury in which a player supposedly is completely
healthy. There are certainly lapses in concentration and in technique which
allow receivers to come free at times.
Bowman also displays some ball skills, which need to result more in
interceptions. Bowman is also a willing tackler out on the island.
Only starting four games this past season, the 6 feet 197 pound cornerback
strung together an overall mediocre season with 29 total tackles and a single
interception. Once considered first-round talent, Bowman did contemplate
entering the draft a year early but decided to return to Lincoln.
Now the talented cornerback is a mid-to-late round option who certainly has
intriguing upside. At this point, medical examinations will be much more
important to where the prospect eventually lands than his recent workouts or
game film.
Tom Marino, NFL Scout: Athletic corner with size, speed and match up potential on the outside,
but has not recovered from a knee reconstruction sustained during in
2006. Struggled with direction
chance and was inconsistent with his plant and drive. Just wouldn't or
couldn't pull the trigger. Late to fill the ally. Came back too fast and
did not play with confidence.
Might take a late round flyer on this player, but the thought that he
might well be two year's away from contributing.