Brock Bowers talks return to field, NIL deal with MET-Rx

Brock Bowers was back on the field Saturday night against Ole Miss just 26 days after ankle surgery.

The Georgia tight end was never going to bail on his teammates and call it a season. Plenty of folks tried to convince him to pack it up and head for the NFL draft. But that’s not how the nation’s top tight end is wired.

Bowers only worked harder to get back on the field for the Bulldogs. Plenty is at stake, including a third consecutive national title.

“It felt like a long time,” Bowers told On3 on Sunday. “I mean just during the process, going day by day, but looking back on it, it wasn’t actually that long. I missed two games, which wasn’t the best but it was great to be back out there and back getting healthy again.”

He finished with three catches for 34 yards, including an 8-yard touchdown catch. It was far from his best statistical performance — he’s had three 100-yard games this season — but it was a start. Being back on the field was enough for him.

Going through surgery and the recovery process was tough work. Watching his teammates play games without being able to run out of the locker room with them was heart-wrenching for the former four-star prospect.

“It was super tough,” said Bowers, who is in his third year and expected to be a top pick in April’s NFL draft. “Those were the first two games I’ve missed since I got here. Just seeing all the dudes run out of the locker room and everything like that — just tough stuff.”

The Georgia star’s work to get back on the field paired with his NIL marketability has made him a top target for brands. It’s a major reason why he’s entering a long-term partnership with the nutritional supplement brand MET-Rx.

Bowers has signed an endorsement deal with the company, which will include a philanthropic activation. He’ll also make appearances in promotional events and star in a social media campaign. It’s a great fit for the tight end, who has built up his NIL brand around fitness. He’s repped by Everett Sports Marketing.

“I think it just fits all the stuff I kind of embody. We have NOBULL, which is all about hard work. Working with MET-RX, it’s clean energy, high protein and meal replacement. It’s awesome to work into my schedule day by day. It just fits right in with what I’m about and everything like that.

“It’s a brand I’ve known and trusted for a while. It’s just played such a big role in my performance and recovery and everything. Being able to have it on my busy days, like Tuesdays and Thursdays, I’ve got class pretty much all day, and being able to get that extra meal in is huge.”

Why MET-Rx wanted to partner with Brock Bowers

Brock Bowers opens up a new audience for MET-Rx. The tight end’s favorite bar is the “Super Cookie Crunch,” part of the Big 100 Bars which will be the main focus of the marketing campaign.

For Amie Testerman, the vice president of marketing and innovation at MET-Rx parent company 1440 Foods, Bowers embodies everything the brand wants to be known for. While the brand isn’t working with him because of his injury, Testerman cited his comeback as something MET-Rx wanted to be part of.

“Brock really helps connect with the brand because he really inspires people,” she said. “Like how he explained that he’s juggling working classes and a full busy schedule. Also being an athlete. So being able to have a high protein meal replacement on the go, is really what we’re excited to partner with him on.”

The Georgia tight end can also ensure Met-Rx is put in front of a new consumer base. With more than 130,000 followers, Bowers will be able to deliver the social media component. He also has name recognition, which is invaluable to brands. He holds a $711,000 On3 NIL Valuation, ranking No. 41 in college football.

“We have very loyal consumers today,” Testerman said. “But this is a really great opportunity to revitalize the brand and to bring in a new, younger audience that Brock connects with.”