Adarius Bowman
Encyclopedia
Adarius Bowman is an Canadian football
wide receiver
for the Edmonton Eskimos
of the Canadian Football League
. He was signed by the Saskatchewan Roughriders
as an undrafted free agent in 2008. Bowman was traded to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers
on April 1, 2009. He played college football
at Oklahoma State
.
. Not only did he catch passes on offense, but also had 4 interceptions and 75 tackles as a junior on defense. Bowman had 293 receiving yards and 5 touchdowns (a losing effort) in a 2001 game against The McCallie School
, the eventual TSSAA Division II-AAA Champions. He played in the 2003 U.S. Army All-American Bowl
.
.
As a true freshman, Bowman played in all 12 games but only started 2. During the span of the 12 games, he netted 181 receiving yards and two touchdowns.
Although he had played in every game the previous season, Bowman only saw action 6 times during the 2004 season. Despite playing in fewer games than in the previous season, he managed to amass 329 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns. He was dismissed from the team following the North Carolina State game along with Isaiah "Puff" Thomas and Fred Sparkman for possession of marijuana.
. He was redshirted during his junior year, but was back on the field in 2006.
In his first game in an Oklahoma State uniform, a 52-10 win over Missouri State, Bowman reeled in a 19-yard touchdown plus two other passes totaling 28 yards. A few weeks later, in the game against Kansas that came to define his career, he pulled down 13 passes totaling a Big 12 record 300 yards. His four touchdowns, including a 64-yarder from Bobby Reid, made him a candidate for ESPN’s College Football Player of the Week. By the end of the season, he had caught 60 passes—51 of which resulted in first down or touchdown yardage.
After the season ended, Bowman was named Big 12 Offensive Newcomer of the Year by both the Associated Press
and the Big 12 coaches. At the team’s football banquet, he was presented with the Bob Fenimore Award, which is presented annually to Oklahoma State’s MVP.
Going in to the season, Bowman was ranked as one of the top receiver prospects in the 2008 NFL Draft. Mel Kiper Jr. ranked him as the 19th overall senior prospect before the season. He had a pedestrian season in 2007, catching 61 passes for 932 yards and 7 touchdowns. After the season, his stock plummeted after running only a 4.74 on his 40 yard dash and being cited for yet another drug related offense. He was not drafted in the 2008 NFL draft.
, but a string of events led to him going undrafted. First, an injury suffered against Kansas when hit by Aqib Talib
caused him to miss the final two games of the regular season and scouts to question his durability. Next, poor performances at the Senior Bowl
and practices preceding it caused his stock to drop further. At the 2008 NFL Combine, he ran a 4.74 40 yard dash, and had an even slower time at Oklahoma State's Pro Day. Later, he was arrested for possession of marijuana in April 2008, but was still projected as a late round draft pick. After going undrafted, he went unsigned as a rookie free agent, despite drawing interest by the Dallas Cowboys
and Philadelphia Eagles
.
of the Canadian Football League
in May 2008.
Bowman erupted for 112 yards and a touchdown on six catches in his debut for the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
His 73-yard TD clinched Saskatchewan's win over the Edmonton Eskimos.
, and non-import safety Brady Browne
in exchange for import offensive lineman Dan Goodspeed
. The Roughriders then traded Goodspeed to the Hamilton Tiger Cats for non-import offensive lineman Jordan Rempel
. Bowman finished the year with 925 receiving yards and 6 touchdowns.
In an issue he has had throughout his entire CFL career, Bowman continued to drop balls in the 2010 season
, often contributing to losses in a difficult Blue Bombers' season. After failing to rectify this problem, he was demoted from the starting line-up and was eventually released on Oct. 20, 2010.
. The 2011 CFL season
was a breakout year for Bowman recording 1,153 yards and 4 touchdowns. On November 5th Bowman had a career game collecting 226 yards with 2 touchdowns.
Canadian football
Canadian football is a form of gridiron football played exclusively in Canada in which two teams of 12 players each compete for territorial control of a field of play long and wide attempting to advance a pointed prolate spheroid ball into the opposing team's scoring area...
wide receiver
Wide receiver
A wide receiver is an offensive position in American and Canadian football, and is the key player in most of the passing plays. Only players in the backfield or the ends on the line are eligible to catch a forward pass. The two players who begin play at the ends of the offensive line are eligible...
for the Edmonton Eskimos
Edmonton Eskimos
The Edmonton Eskimos are a Canadian football team based in Edmonton, Alberta. They currently play in the West Division of the Canadian Football League . Edmonton is currently the third-youngest franchise in the CFL, although there were clubs with the name Edmonton Eskimos as early as 1895...
of the Canadian Football League
Canadian Football League
The Canadian Football League or CFL is a professional sports league located in Canada. The CFL is the highest level of competition in Canadian football, a form of gridiron football closely related to American football....
. He was signed by the Saskatchewan Roughriders
Saskatchewan Roughriders
The Saskatchewan Roughriders are a Canadian Football League team based in Regina, Saskatchewan. They were founded in 1910. They play their home games at 2940 10th Avenue in Regina, which has been the team's home base for its entire history, even prior to the construction of Mosaic Stadium at Taylor...
as an undrafted free agent in 2008. Bowman was traded to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Winnipeg Blue Bombers
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are a Canadian football team based in Winnipeg, Manitoba. They are currently members of the East Division of the Canadian Football League . They play their home games at Canad Inns Stadium, and plan to move to a new stadium for the 2012 season.The Blue Bombers were founded...
on April 1, 2009. He played college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
at Oklahoma State
Oklahoma State Cowboys football
The Oklahoma State Cowboys football program represents Oklahoma State University–Stillwater in college football. The team is a member of the Big 12 Conference and completes at the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision level. The Cowboys are led by Mike Gundy, who is in his seventh year as...
.
Early years
Bowman was ranked by ESPN as the top wide receiver in Tennessee while playing at Notre Dame High SchoolNotre Dame High School (Chattanooga)
Notre Dame High School is a coeducational, Catholic college preparatory school in Chattanooga, Tennessee, United States, serving grades 9-12 and welcoming students of all faiths. Notre Dame High School is the oldest non-public school in Chattanooga celebrating 135 years in 2011. On October 15,...
. Not only did he catch passes on offense, but also had 4 interceptions and 75 tackles as a junior on defense. Bowman had 293 receiving yards and 5 touchdowns (a losing effort) in a 2001 game against The McCallie School
The McCallie School
The McCallie School is a boys college-preparatory school located on Missionary Ridge in Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA. The school was founded in 1905 and now educates a student body comprising 230 boarding students in grades 9-12 and 660 day students in grades 6-12.- History :Brothers Spencer...
, the eventual TSSAA Division II-AAA Champions. He played in the 2003 U.S. Army All-American Bowl
U.S. Army All-American Bowl
The U.S. Army All-American Bowl is a high school football all-star game held in early January in San Antonio, Texas. Currently played in the Alamodome, the game brings 90 of the nation's top high school football players in an East versus West matchup. In addition to the Bowl game, there is the U.S...
.
North Carolina
After graduating from high school, Bowman began his collegiate career at North CarolinaUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a public research university located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States...
.
As a true freshman, Bowman played in all 12 games but only started 2. During the span of the 12 games, he netted 181 receiving yards and two touchdowns.
Although he had played in every game the previous season, Bowman only saw action 6 times during the 2004 season. Despite playing in fewer games than in the previous season, he managed to amass 329 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns. He was dismissed from the team following the North Carolina State game along with Isaiah "Puff" Thomas and Fred Sparkman for possession of marijuana.
Oklahoma State
Between the 2004 and 2005 seasons, Bowman transferred to Oklahoma State, where he would become a college football standout under first-year head coach Mike GundyMike Gundy
Mike Gundy is an American football coach and former player He is currently the head football coach at Oklahoma State University–Stillwater. Gundy played college football Oklahoma State, where he was the Cowboys quarterback from 1986 to 1989. Gundy became Oklahoma State's coach on January 3, 2005...
. He was redshirted during his junior year, but was back on the field in 2006.
In his first game in an Oklahoma State uniform, a 52-10 win over Missouri State, Bowman reeled in a 19-yard touchdown plus two other passes totaling 28 yards. A few weeks later, in the game against Kansas that came to define his career, he pulled down 13 passes totaling a Big 12 record 300 yards. His four touchdowns, including a 64-yarder from Bobby Reid, made him a candidate for ESPN’s College Football Player of the Week. By the end of the season, he had caught 60 passes—51 of which resulted in first down or touchdown yardage.
After the season ended, Bowman was named Big 12 Offensive Newcomer of the Year by both the Associated Press
Associated Press
The Associated Press is an American news agency. The AP is a cooperative owned by its contributing newspapers, radio and television stations in the United States, which both contribute stories to the AP and use material written by its staff journalists...
and the Big 12 coaches. At the team’s football banquet, he was presented with the Bob Fenimore Award, which is presented annually to Oklahoma State’s MVP.
Going in to the season, Bowman was ranked as one of the top receiver prospects in the 2008 NFL Draft. Mel Kiper Jr. ranked him as the 19th overall senior prospect before the season. He had a pedestrian season in 2007, catching 61 passes for 932 yards and 7 touchdowns. After the season, his stock plummeted after running only a 4.74 on his 40 yard dash and being cited for yet another drug related offense. He was not drafted in the 2008 NFL draft.
Professional career
Bowman was once regarded as a potential first-round pick in the 2008 NFL Draft2008 NFL Draft
The 2008 NFL Draft took place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on April 26 and April 27, 2008. For the 29th consecutive year, ESPN televised the draft; the NFL Network also broadcast the event, its third year doing so...
, but a string of events led to him going undrafted. First, an injury suffered against Kansas when hit by Aqib Talib
Aqib Talib
Aqib Talib is an American football cornerback who plays for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 20th overall in the 2008 NFL Draft.-Early years:...
caused him to miss the final two games of the regular season and scouts to question his durability. Next, poor performances at the Senior Bowl
Senior Bowl
The Senior Bowl is a post-season college football exhibition game played in Mobile, Alabama which showcases the best NFL Draft prospects of those collegiate players who have completed their eligibility. First played in 1950 in Jacksonville, Florida, the game moved to Mobile's Ladd Peebles Stadium...
and practices preceding it caused his stock to drop further. At the 2008 NFL Combine, he ran a 4.74 40 yard dash, and had an even slower time at Oklahoma State's Pro Day. Later, he was arrested for possession of marijuana in April 2008, but was still projected as a late round draft pick. After going undrafted, he went unsigned as a rookie free agent, despite drawing interest by the Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...
and Philadelphia Eagles
Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
.
Saskatchewan Roughriders
After failing to sign with an NFL team following the 2008 NFL Draft, Bowman signed a contract with the Saskatchewan RoughridersSaskatchewan Roughriders
The Saskatchewan Roughriders are a Canadian Football League team based in Regina, Saskatchewan. They were founded in 1910. They play their home games at 2940 10th Avenue in Regina, which has been the team's home base for its entire history, even prior to the construction of Mosaic Stadium at Taylor...
of the Canadian Football League
Canadian Football League
The Canadian Football League or CFL is a professional sports league located in Canada. The CFL is the highest level of competition in Canadian football, a form of gridiron football closely related to American football....
in May 2008.
Bowman erupted for 112 yards and a touchdown on six catches in his debut for the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
His 73-yard TD clinched Saskatchewan's win over the Edmonton Eskimos.
Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Bowman was traded to the Blue Bombers from the Saskatchewan Roughriders on April 1, 2009. He was traded along with non-import offensive lineman Jean-Francois Morin-RobergeJean-François Morin-Roberge
Jean-François Morin-Roberge is a former offensive lineman in the Canadian Football League. He was drafted by the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the fourth round of the 2008 CFL Draft...
, and non-import safety Brady Browne
Brady Browne
Brady Browne is a professional Canadian football defensive back for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League. He was drafted by the BC Lions in the fifth round of the 2008 CFL Draft. He played CIS football for the Manitoba Bisons.Browne has also been a member of the Saskatchewan...
in exchange for import offensive lineman Dan Goodspeed
Dan Goodspeed
Dan Goodspeed is an American football offensive tackle who plays for the Canadian Football League's Saskatchewan Roughriders...
. The Roughriders then traded Goodspeed to the Hamilton Tiger Cats for non-import offensive lineman Jordan Rempel
Jordan Rempel
Jordan Rempel is a professional Canadian football offensive lineman who is currently a free agent. He most recently played for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League. He was drafted by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the second round of the 2007 CFL Draft...
. Bowman finished the year with 925 receiving yards and 6 touchdowns.
In an issue he has had throughout his entire CFL career, Bowman continued to drop balls in the 2010 season
2010 Winnipeg Blue Bombers season
The 2010 Winnipeg Blue Bombers season was the 53rd season for the team in the Canadian Football League and their 78th overall. The Blue Bombers finished the year in 4th place in the East division with a 4–14 record and failed to make the playoffs...
, often contributing to losses in a difficult Blue Bombers' season. After failing to rectify this problem, he was demoted from the starting line-up and was eventually released on Oct. 20, 2010.
Edmonton Eskimos
On January 19, 2011, Bowman was signed by the Edmonton EskimosEdmonton Eskimos
The Edmonton Eskimos are a Canadian football team based in Edmonton, Alberta. They currently play in the West Division of the Canadian Football League . Edmonton is currently the third-youngest franchise in the CFL, although there were clubs with the name Edmonton Eskimos as early as 1895...
. The 2011 CFL season
2011 CFL season
The 2011 CFL season was the 58th season of modern Canadian professional football. Officially, it was the 54th season of the league. The complete schedule was released on February 18 and featured the defending Grey Cup champion Montreal Alouettes opening the season against the visiting BC Lions on...
was a breakout year for Bowman recording 1,153 yards and 4 touchdowns. On November 5th Bowman had a career game collecting 226 yards with 2 touchdowns.