Sobo's Players of Interest #11: Zack Bowman

The Nebraska cornerback may have first-round potential, but can be had on Day Two

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.