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Godspeed, Bows. Yours was the second-most visual Michigan podcast. [Patrick Barron]

Portal Out: Alan Bowman Comment Count

Seth December 15th, 2022 at 4:45 PM

Michigan has once again lost one of its podcasting athletes. Quarterback Alan Bowman announced he's in the portal, with a year of eligibility remaining.

It bites that he can't stick around for the Playoff but teams are making their decisions now, so it's important for guys looking to find a place to play next year to be on the market sooner rather than later. UPDATE: Bowman will be with Michigan through the end of the season, while letting teams know he's available.

Bowman transferred to Michigan in 2021 after making 16 starts at Texas Tech. At the time, he was expected to compete with Cade McNamara and JJ McCarthy for the starting job. A starter for TTU in 2018 under Kliff Kingsbury's Air Raid, Bowman lost most of his 2019 season to injury, earning a medical redshirt, and then lost his starting job in 2020. If you're wondering how a guy who committed to Kliff Kingsbury (in June 2017!) still has eligibility, well:

2018: Fr/Fr
2019: Medshirt/So
2020: COVID/Jr
2021: So/Sr
2022: Jr/5th
2023: Sr/6th

Told ya it was gonna get weird.

As a Michigan media person, Bowman earned a lot of fans, specifically for producing a refreshingly frank podcast with fellow backup (and fellow transfer out) Dan Villari last year.

As a Michigan quarterback, however, he never got higher than third on the depth chart, as McNamara seized the QB1 job last season, with McCarthy his up-and-coming backup. Even with McCarthy starting now and Cade in Iowa, Bowman wasn't likely to see the field, getting passed by 2020 walk-on Davis Warren (who had freshman eligibility this year) last spring. True freshman Alex Orji also assumed a role as wildcat back this season. Michigan doesn't have any more QBs coming in but seems comfortable moving forward with McCarthy and Warren for the foreseeable future, so Bowman wasn't likely to see the field again.

Comments

lhglrkwg

December 16th, 2022 at 10:01 AM ^

Yeah, I mean I'd do the same. I believe Bowman has his Michigan degree in hand and isn't threatening to sniff the NFL before entering the boring working world. I'd go find a fun place to play for a year before getting a job. Not sure what that will look like for him but it could be a good time to walk into a starting job at a good G5 or FCS program. I think Bowman has showed he's more than capable of being that guy

Joined: 07/03/2008

MGoPoints: 87934

PhillipFulmersPants

December 15th, 2022 at 5:23 PM ^

I liked him, too, though obviously don't know him.  I did listen to those podcasts, which were fun, and he seemed like a genuine and good dude who really liked being a part of last year's team, and presumably this year's.  I'm all on board with wishing him the best - hope he finds a good landing spot and gets to play.  

Joined: 01/06/2009

MGoPoints: 4222

Kilgore Trout

December 15th, 2022 at 5:07 PM ^

His decision to come to UM always seemed a little weird / unlikely to result in playing time. I had kind of wondered if he was on a coaching path and saw this as a good way to get exposure to Harbaugh and crew. Good luck to him either way. 

Joined: 02/20/2009

MGoPoints: 13178

bringthewood

December 15th, 2022 at 5:43 PM ^

I am really grateful that he came to Michigan. He may not have played much but he had experience and I was not afraid to have him play. The fact that he came and never bitched and was always supportive on the field was great. Hope he gets the opportunity he wants.

He was great insurance that prevented a Russell Bellomy moment. Wish him the best.

Joined: 09/07/2009

MGoPoints: 5554

Kevin13

December 15th, 2022 at 5:43 PM ^

This move makes sense. He only has one year left and wasn’t going to play here. I can understand a player like him wanting to finish his career as a starter.  Guessing he will find a place where he can do just that 

Joined: 01/26/2016

MGoPoints: 16040

MRunner73

December 15th, 2022 at 5:53 PM ^

Transferring out is fine and good luck to Alex. Why leave before the Michigan season is over? Same for Cade and All. Those two were captains so stay on the sidelines and cheer your team, get the B1G ring and maybe the NCAA Championship game ring.

I don't know what's to gain by leaving/quitting before the season is over. If they played at MSU, no bowl game, I could see them leaving. Especially if they have a pre determined destination like Iowa as in Cade's and All's case.

Joined: 11/11/2018

MGoPoints: 16883

Derek

December 15th, 2022 at 5:57 PM ^

Seth wrote:

It bites that he can't stick around for the Playoff but teams are making their decisions now, so it's important for guys looking to find a place to play next year to be on the market sooner rather than later.

Edit: Ha! Never mind: https://mgoblog.com/mgoboard/update-alan-bowman-transfer-portal-plans-finish-out-season-michigan

Joined: 06/30/2008

MGoPoints: 24024

OldDad67

December 15th, 2022 at 6:46 PM ^

Not surprised. Seemed like a good dude who didn't make waves when moved down the depth chart. I hope he finds a good landing spot and has a terrific season.

Joined: 01/26/2015

MGoPoints: 3746

michengin87

December 15th, 2022 at 9:34 PM ^

We have 4 QBs now.  McCarthy, Warren, Orji and Denegal.

I don't see a need for a transfer and doubt anyone would be interested when JJ will clearly get all the snaps in 2023.

Warren / Orji as the backups have looked like they have promise.  However, I would definitely agree that it's slim and we will definitely need a big time QB in 2024, assuming that we don't pull a Dante Moore rabbit out of our hat next week.

Joined: 07/14/2009

MGoPoints: 4096

leidlein

December 15th, 2022 at 7:29 PM ^

This is one part of the portal that blows my mind. It baffles me that guys leave when they can get a ring, even if they don't play, are injured, etc. They can still get practice reps with a team in the playoffs, there has to be some value in that even if it is not the system they will be playing in next year. 

I get that they have to make decisions early as they want to lock in a good landing spot and assure their decision was a good one. But is there something the NCAA can do to change the timing of transfers?

Probably not. This is the cost of what is essentially now free agency in CF. But I don't have to like it.

Joined: 09/23/2015

MGoPoints: 1097

gbdub

December 15th, 2022 at 8:06 PM ^

Does “enters the transfer portal” actually mean the guy has to leave instantly? I always assumed the actual transfers were taking place next semester. 

Joined: 02/16/2010

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