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Player to Watch: Navorro Bowman, LB, Penn State

Published: June 14, 2009

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Penn State has a history of producing top college linebackers. With this year’s class of linebackers and one player in particular, this again is the case.

Sean Lee will be an All—American candidate along with Bowman this year, but he tore his ACL before the season started last year. This left Bowman to fill the void. Bowman did just that as he led Penn State in tackles with 106 and 16.5 tackles for loss. Let’s take a look at why this year might be even better for Bowman, and why people are talking about him as one of the top linebacker in the country.

Remember when I said that he led Penn State in tackles and tackles for loss, well how much more impressive would it be if I told you he did not start in the team’s first three games.

Bowman was a first team All—Big Ten selection and was also placed on the watch list for the 2009 Lombardi Award. Bowman had six pass deflections, one interception, and two forced fumbles. Looking at these statistics you can clearly see that Bowman has an all around game.

His speed allows him to make plays all over the field, and his strength helps him to get into the backfield and disrupt the opponent. Bowman certainly has special talents that make him standout from other linebackers. It is rare to find a linebacker who has the speed to defend the pass and also the strength to dominate the run game.

Sean Lee is extremely talented and will be a huge addition to this year’s Penn State team. Bowman will be welcoming the addition because it will open things up for him. Teams will no longer be able to double team Bowman, this will obviously allow Bowman to freely roam the outside a lot more often.

Bowman had a great season last year, and with Lee returning he should be ready for another. Bowman has a skill set that has NFL scouts drooling if he can have another solid season. If that’s the case, he will surely be one of the most talked about linebackers heading to the NFL next year.