Georgia LB transfer Troy Bowles commits to Michigan football
Michigan Wolverines football has scored its sixth NCAA transfer commitment of the month, with Georgia linebacker Troy Bowles pledging to the Maize and Blue. Bowles, who spent two seasons in Athens, has three seasons of eligibility remaining.
The relationship between Bowles and Michigan linebackers coach Brian Jean-Mary was key in the recruitment. Florida State, Oklahoma State and others were pursuing Bowles. He visited Michigan earlier this week. The Wolverines recruited Bowles out of high school in the 2023 class, as did Jean-Mary when he was at Tennessee.
Bowles is the No. 262 overall player and No. 17 linebacker in the transfer portal, according to the On3 Industry Ranking. Bowles is a former top-100 recruit in the 2023 class and the son of Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles.
Michigan is set to return both of its starting linebackers from this season in 2025, juniors Jaishawn Barham and Ernest Hausmann. Barham, however, is expected to move to EDGE, opening up a starting spot. Junior Jimmy Rolder played significant snaps at linebacker in the 2024 regular season, as well.
The 6-foot-0, 220-pounder saw action in two games this season, totaling 12 defensive snaps. He preserved his redshirt by making less than five game appearances. Bowles played against Clemson and Tennessee Tech, but didn’t make the travel roster for road games at Kentucky and Alabama. He did travel to Jacksonville for the rivalry clash against Florida but didn’t see the field.
Georgia head coach Kirby Smart said in March that Bowles was practicing well during spring ball.
“The guy who has had a good spring so far has been Bowles,” Smart said. “He has done a good job. He is picking things up. He didn’t get the benefit on his high school not letting him go mid-year. He didn’t get the benefit of getting in with those guys, but he just as good of an athlete as those guys.
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“He is going to help us special teams wise. He is going to help the defense. The other three [linebackers] who are here mid-year are providing good depth and are learning.”
The Tampa, Fla., native saw action in five games, totaling 5 tackles including 5 solo stops, as a true freshman in 2023. His season was highlighted by a 3-tackle performance in the season opener against UT Martin.
A four-star recruit out of Tampa (Fla.) Jesuit, Bowles was the No. 88 overall player and seventh-best linebacker in the 2023 recruiting class, according to the On3 Industry Ranking.
Bowles is the Wolverines’ sixth transfer pickup this month, joining wide receiver Donaven McCulley (Indiana), offensive lineman Brady Norton (Cal Poly), cornerback Tevis Metcalf (Arkansas), safety TJ Metcalf (Arkansas) and defensive tackle Damon Payne Jr. (Alabama).