2023 LB Drayk Bowen commits to Notre Dame over Auburn, Clemson

Merriville (Ind.) Andrean athlete Drayk Bowen had national offers early in the process. As soon as visits opened back up on June 1 coming out of the COVID-19 restriction, the 6-foot-2, 215-pound junior hit the road.

Visits took place to double-digit schools over the summer and the four-star linebacker started to get serious about his recruitment. He talked to coaches daily, he evaluated each visit, and Bowen slowly started to narrow his list down.

Auburn, Clemson and Notre Dame are the three it came down to, and the Irish won out for the two-sport star. Bowen ranks as the No. 153 player in the country, according to the On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average.

“It came down to where I felt was best for me with football, baseball, and education,” Bowen said. “Both coaches at Notre Dame made me feel like part of the family, the education is great, and I know I can really grow there.

“At Notre Dame, and under those coaches, I feel I can grow and develop not only as a player, but as a man too.”

Outside of how Bowen feels about the coaches in South Bend, what the school can do for him in life made an impact too.

“Notre Dame is just different,” Bowen said. “I see them preparing me for life, and not just helping me in sports. Notre Dame is just the place for me.”

Standard is different at Notre Dame

Drayk Bowen loves the fans at Auburn. The culture at Clemson made him think hard about the ACC school. The overall package at Notre Dame was something he felt different about, though.

“Notre Dame just has that standard,” Bowen said. “From sports to education, it is a standard that is unique there.

“They are different in a lot of ways, and that always stood out to me. What they do on and off the field is unique. It is a standard that is different.”

The decision wasn’t easy, but as he progressed through the recruiting process with visits and calls, it became more clear.

“I made my decision about a week or so ago,” Drayk Bowen said. “I have taken a lot of visits, I have talked with coaches almost every day for months, and a lot of it was pros and cons. But in the end, it was more of a gut feeling.

“It was difficult because all three schools have a lot to like. Each has something unique too, so it was hard to compare the three. That standard though made a difference. Notre Dame is different.”

Drayk Bowen will live out a dream in South Bend

The drive to South Bend is an easy one for Drayk Bowen’s family. It is just over an hour on the road, and the new commit has made that drive a few times now.

He is familiar with the surroundings and that played a role in his decision.

“The people really make Notre Dame different,” Bowen said. “Everyone is friendly, everyone wants the best for each other, and the feel there is different.

“I was at home there. It was a different feeling, and it was because of the people.”

Bowen has taken games in at Notre Dame as well. He loves the passion, the support, and now he gets to play in front of both the football and baseball fans there.

“Is like a dream coming true. Each coaching staff made me feel wanted, they all got to know me, and this is something I have thought about for a long time.

“The way they recruited me on both sides made me feel at home. It is where I can play two sports for great people, then be set for life when I am done.”