Stanford is the top school for Bosco receiver Colby Bowman
Stanford has been the dream school of 2019 wide receiver Colby Bowman of St. John Bosco High (Bellflower, Calif.) since he was in middle school, and he earned an offer from the Cardinal during the July 28 Friday Night Lights camp.
When dream becomes reality sometimes it can take a few moments for the brain to react to the change.
“When I got the offer I was in awe,” he said. “I couldn’t stop smiling. It was the best feeling ever. Ever since seventh grade going up there to the camps it has been my dream to go there. That’s my dream school. Obviously it’s Stanford … the best university in the world. I love all the coaches. They’re all great guys and I love being there. It feels like family to me.”
Bowman told Rivals recruiting analyst Adam Gorney that he was well aware of whose eyes were on him during the camp: “I noticed coach (David) Shaw watching me the whole time during individuals and one-on-ones. He didn't say much other than good job after the workout.”
Bowman showed his considerable skill as a route runner and ability to make tough catches. On one occasion Bowman got a thumbs up from Corona Centennial quarterback Tanner Mckee when he dove to make a full-extension catch of a low throw on an out-route.
At The Opening camp in LA Bowman earned a 98.94 rating and measured in at 6-foot-2, 187 pounds. He ran a 4.67 40-yard dash and 4.21 shuttle. His score was the third best among 2019 recruits at the event.
His performance at Stanford supported the test numbers.
After the barbecue dinner Bowman was pulled aside by offensive coordinator Mike Bloomgren and quarterback/wide receiver coach Tavita Pritchard. They met with Shaw in the locker room at the stadium and they delivered the good news.
That clearly exhilarating moment was, of course, the highlight of a day spent on Bowman’s self-described top school.
“What stood out to me is that honestly everything stands out to me when I’m at Stanford,” he said. “It’s the campus, the facilities, the people, the coaches, everything stands out to me and it’s always a great place to go to. I wasn’t expecting an offer this early. I thought it would come later my junior year. That was a big surprise to me.”
And he was able to share that moment with several Bosco teammates. Fellow 2019 recruits Jude Wolfe (tight end), Sua’ava Poti (defensive line) and Chris Steele (cornerback) also were on The Farm.
“It made it a lot more fun and the experience a lot better,” Bowman said. Steele is a close friend of Bowman’s and also has an offer from Stanford. It was the elite defensive back’s second visit to Stanford.
Bowman and Steele often do some friendly football sparring on the practice field at Bosco.
“It’s a close draw every time,” Bowman said. “We go at it every day in practice and it’s awesome. Going up against one of the best DBs in my class makes us both better. It’s always a competition between us and I love it. We’re really good friends.”
Bowman transferred to Bosco in the spring of his freshman year and had to sit out the first five varsity games of his sophomore year. Barring injury, this season will be his first as a full-time varsity starter.
“I am so excited for this year,” he said. “It’s going to be fun. It’s going to be challenging.”
Bosco opens the season in Florida at national powerhouse St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale). After the season and toward the end of his junior year Bowman plans to put together a shortlist of schools. He wants to take more visits to be as thorough in his process as possible.
“I want to see as many schools as I can and I really want to find a home,” he said. “I know what is going to be best for me. Having the Stanford offer is definitely huge. People can already tell what is going to be at the top.”
