Bowman Gets Waiver and Says "Run it Back." Like Defense-Look at Production Returning

STILLWATER – Oklahoma State quarterback Alan Bowman was our Pokes Report NIL Journalist for the past season and we learned a lot about the talented and experienced quarterback that has put in time on three major college campuses and inside their football programs. One thing we learned as he said it, “this has been the best year of football ever.”

Bowman has heard back from his request for more eligibility from the NCAA stemming from the season he missed the most action in 2019 from a shoulder injury that limited him to just three games at Texas Tech. Bowman has been granted another season meaning his career will now span from 2018 where he started as a true freshman for Texas Tech through 2020 and then from 2021 through 2022 at the University of Michigan to this season at Oklahoma State. Now, he’s announced he will run it back and go on the Oklahoma State football ride again in 2024.

“Honestly, I was so shocked it passed this quickly,” Bowman told Pokes Report  of learning about the NCAA decision. “I’m just excited not to have to move. We’ve got an unbelievable group coming backand I cannot wait to get rolling with all the guys.”

This past season Bowman was involved in the three-quarterback rotation early in the year (first three games) before he became the starter against Iowa State. As a starter this season, Bowman was 8-3 as the full-time starter this season. He completed 304-of-501 passes for 3,460-yards with 15 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. He carried 14 times for a net 24-yards and two touchdowns. He also caught one pass for three-yards. 

Pat Kinnison - Chief Photographer

Bowman on one of his touchdown runs, this one vs. OU.

It is unusual for a quarterback to have this much shelf-life in college, but college football is vastly different now from when Bowman first entered at Texas Tech. This is the day and age of player empowerment.

Bowman’s return also signals competition at quarterback but without any kind of multiple rotation. The three oldest quarterbacks in Bowman, Garret Rangel, and red-shirt freshman Zane Flores will push each other in spring and through summer. Competition makes them all better.

Bowman’s announcement also allows for us at Pokes Report to give you a similar breakdown on the offense as we did yesterday with linebacker Collin Oliver’s announcement as we noted the returning experience and production on the defensive side of the football. 

Bowman’s return means that nine of the offensive starters in the 2023 Tax Act Texas Bowl win over Texas A&M will be back for next season. The offensive depth chart will return 19 of the 24 names on it for the bowl game. 

Here’s something fresh on both sides as Oklahoma State will return 124-of-154 starts from the entire season on offense. That is an average of 8.86 starters on offense per game. 

On defense the Cowboys will return 112-of-154 starts from the season. That is an average 8.0 starters on defense per game. We know they return the punter and kick and punt returners. They also return a deep snapper. Kicker will be the position they will need to solidify there.

Pat Kinnison - Chief Photographer

Brennan Presley is a big producer in receiving and in kick returns.

On offense, the entire offensive line returns and that room has some young players that will be pushing for playing time. It will be a competitive environment in the spring and leading to the 2024 season. Young guys like Austin Kawecki, Davis Dotson, Noah McKinney, and even some of the freshmen from this past season are making progress. 

There are good candidates at tight end and fullback with Bryce Drummond looking solid as a fullback along with veterans Jake Schultz and Luke McEndoo. Quinton Stewart and perhaps, portal commitment Tyler Foster of Ohio at tight end. 

Pat Kinnison - Chief Photographer

Ollie Gordon II rushed for 1,732-yards and 21 touchdowns.

The receiver positions have loads of candidates and talent from Brennan Presley to Texas Bowl MVP Rashod Owens. De’Zhaun Stribling will be back and he has sensational skills. Talyn Shettron will be back and he too has massive potential. Cale Cabbiness, and youngsters like Cam Heard, Jalen Pope, and Tykie Andrews all have shown they are ready to contribute. 

Then at running back the Cowboys have the nation’s leading rusher returning in Doak Walker Award winner and unanimous All-American Ollie Gordon II. Behind Ollie, Sesi Vailahi has shown he has talent. This is where the true freshmen in Rodney Fields and Jaden Allen-Hendrix could pitch in some. 

The returning production in incredible. 

This is a team that needs to continue to develop players to jump in and help on the depth chart and be ready because there is a lot of returning production on both sides of the football.