Former Utah Commit Awarded Start In Ohio State Season Opener
Aug 27, 2019, 3:40 PM
Credit: Jeremy Birmingham, Lettermen Row
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Former Utah commit and current Ohio State Buckeyes offensive lineman Branden Bowen was awarded a spot in the starting lineup in their season opener.
Bowen, a senior for the Buckeyes, was granted the honor for the team’s first regular-season game against Florida Atlantic on August 31.
Bowen will be returning to the starting lineup after missing all of the 2018 season rehabbing an injury. He suffered a broken leg in 2017.
Day says Brandon Bowen will start at tackle Saturday. It'll be his first start in nearly two years at OSU.
— Jerod Smalley (@JerodNBC4) August 27, 2019
Bowen posted about his exciting news on Twitter.
Truly blessed! 🙏🏽
— Branden Bowen (@BrandenBowen) August 27, 2019
Minutes after Ohio State Football Head Coach, Ryan Day gave Bowen the news, Bowen had the chance to speak with the media and express his feelings on getting the starting nod.
“At the same time, the support system is a lot better in my opinion at least. You know having my fiancee to go home to and my son to – ya know – look up at me every night,” Bowen continued, “At the same time, there’s a lot of pressure, there’s a lot of support there as well. It kind of balances itself out. It hasn’t been too much on me or anything like that but it definitely helps a lot.”
Starting RT Branden Bowen on winning the job, and what it means to him as a new father. pic.twitter.com/lGjkk7R3qh
— Tom Orr (@TomOrr4) August 27, 2019
Day also commented on what this means to Bowen.
“His attitude is as good as I’ve been around,” Day said. “He’s been through a lot. To see the way he’s smiling. He’s got a lot of energy. I just love his approach right now.”
Once a Ute
Bowen, was a 3-star prospect (according to 247Sports) out of Corner Canyon High School in the Class of 2015.
He received offers from Ohio State, Utah, BYU, Boise State, Colorado, Nebraska, and more. He originally committed to the University of Utah. However, after an official visit to Columbus, he flipped his commitment to Urban Meyer and the Buckeyes.
Ohio State begins the season ranked fifth in the nation according to the AP Top 25 preseason poll. The Buckeyes open the year on August 31 at 10 a.m. (MDT) against the Florida Atlantic Owls. The game will be available on Fox.
