Portal Out: Alan Bowman
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.
Michigan QB Alan Bowman is in the @TransferPortal_ as a grad transfer, @InsideTexas has learned.@EJHollandOn3 @CSayf23 https://t.co/DX9BfKHTRD
— Joe Cook (@josephcook89) December 15, 2022
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.
Update: I'm told Alan Bowman plans to ride out the rest of the season with Michigan. https://t.co/zmKhHBAGjW
— Aaron McMann (@AaronMcMann) December 15, 2022
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.
December 15th, 2022 at 4:51 PM ^
He graduated, I'm happy for him. Best of luck wherever he lands.
December 16th, 2022 at 9:09 AM ^
My new fantasy: Bowman announces that he's transferring to Iowa, and wins the starting job.
December 15th, 2022 at 4:52 PM ^
He probably wouldn't see the field next year but QB depth seems low.
December 15th, 2022 at 4:59 PM ^
Without landing a high profile quarterback in 2023, any long term minutes by anyone not named JJ wouldn’t be a good thing either way. You have JJ, Warren, Orji, Denegal and Kendrick Bell coming in. I think Warren could be a short term answer at the position.
December 15th, 2022 at 5:12 PM ^
I think Warren is the only other remotely playable QB we have now
December 15th, 2022 at 5:36 PM ^
We better pray that Warren stays, as he should. JJ will play one more year and then it'll be his job.
December 15th, 2022 at 6:24 PM ^
I'd bet JJ plays two more years here.
December 15th, 2022 at 7:33 PM ^
You/We should actually hope that he leaves after next season. And I will not be surprised if he challenges for the Heisman.
December 15th, 2022 at 9:13 PM ^
That would be nice. But his draft stock should be quite high after next season...I'll be shocked if he were to stay two more years.
December 16th, 2022 at 12:52 AM ^
This is the true statement of where the position resides.
I do think Warren can be a good Big Ten QB
December 16th, 2022 at 2:00 PM ^
Warren could be a lot better than an average walk-on.
We all know the story of Stetson Bennett, and our own Brian Griese.
December 15th, 2022 at 5:35 PM ^
Having bad NIL hurts at the QB position the most
December 15th, 2022 at 5:43 PM ^
Do you have info that this is somehow NIL related? Strikes me as guy who realizes he has one more year to participate and probably wants to play. Guess we'll know more when his destination is revealed.
December 15th, 2022 at 5:57 PM ^
No I meant in terms of recruiting QBs. I'm sure the top prospects rake in NIL money. And this Jadyn Davis recruitment is dragging into January now. I hope Sam is right on his feelings of Davis coming to Michigan after all.
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
December 15th, 2022 at 4:57 PM ^
Thanks for your contributions to the team. Good luck.
December 15th, 2022 at 4:59 PM ^
I like this guy and I hope Alan gets a great opportunity to show his talents- i hope that he grew his skills and I hope he does great!!
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.
December 15th, 2022 at 10:14 PM ^
I wonder if he could have started at Wisconsin or Ipwa last year.
December 16th, 2022 at 5:39 AM ^
Everyone except for the Iowa backup could have started over Petras.
December 15th, 2022 at 5:04 PM ^
An all time backup. Hope he finds a starting job next year.
December 15th, 2022 at 5:04 PM ^
Having only 3 QBs on the roster next year seems less than ideal.
December 15th, 2022 at 5:47 PM ^
Well we have 3 on scholarship now (JJ, Orji, Denegal), one recruit (Bell), and one that will probably be added as a scholarship player Davis Warren for a total of 5.
December 15th, 2022 at 5:57 PM ^
Most believe bell plays WR or DB. And I think Warren got put on scholarship already so 4 qbs.
December 15th, 2022 at 6:43 PM ^
From Bell's Hello post on the front page, sounds to me like they might start Bell off as a QB and see how he develops as a QB and physically.
December 15th, 2022 at 8:42 PM ^
That throwing motion is something to overcome.
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.
December 15th, 2022 at 8:16 PM ^
I came here to post the same exact thing. I never understood his decision to come here - especially with so much experience as a starter elsewhere, but wish him nothing but the best. Just seems like he could've been starting somewhere these last few years.
December 15th, 2022 at 9:24 PM ^
If you recall, Harbaugh welcomed him here as Cade looked pretty good but we'd only seen a few games before he got hurt in 2020, and JJ was a true freshman. If Cade gets hurt last year instead of this year, Alan is probably starting with JJ still developing.
He's was a great insurance policy and wish him the best!
December 15th, 2022 at 5:07 PM ^
Seemed like a great positive guy on the sideline. Wish him the best.
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.
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
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.
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
December 15th, 2022 at 6:08 PM ^
Did he talk shit about Michigan on his way out the door?
Wish Alan nothing but success.
December 16th, 2022 at 9:06 AM ^
This.
Can the team go back and change its captain votes to elect Captain Bowman?
December 15th, 2022 at 6:10 PM ^
Doctor Bowman
December 15th, 2022 at 6:32 PM ^
He held a mean clipboard. I look forward to his minutes going to Davis Warren who should be offered his scholarship.
December 16th, 2022 at 8:10 AM ^
Given that Bowman didn't get any minutes, Warren won't be impacted by this!
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.
December 15th, 2022 at 7:06 PM ^
Best of luck to him. Our lack of depth at QB is a real problem now. Hopefully, we can get an experienced transfer in.
December 15th, 2022 at 8:20 PM ^
I think Bowman was more "depth" in the sense he had played in college previously, not that he was a guy you really wanted out there unless you absolutely had to. The famous "we don't practice fucked" would apply if Bowman saw the field in 2023.
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.
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.
December 15th, 2022 at 7:43 PM ^
Many schools have 2nd semester starting soon after the new year, so from the player transferring perspective it is probably about the best window. I'm sure these guys want to get to their new schools and practice in spring.
December 15th, 2022 at 8:28 PM ^
Next year he's gonna be working a regular job. Valuing playing somewhere versus on the bench on a winner is more than understandable.
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.
December 15th, 2022 at 8:19 PM ^
Good luck to him. Hopefully he'll find a nice place to finish out his college career.
December 15th, 2022 at 8:27 PM ^
I had no idea he had eligibility left. Go get a G5 starting spot and go out on a high note.
December 15th, 2022 at 8:49 PM ^
The kid throws lasers, he’s going to go somewhere, have a lot of fun & be successful.
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