Penn State Football: NaVorro Bowman career revisit
Penn State football reached double-digit wins in 2016. It was the first time since 2009. A key component and future NFL star NaVorro Bowman helped lead the way.
Former Penn State football linebacker NaVorro Bowman turned out to be a brilliant NFL All-Pro with the San Francisco 49ers. Although Bowman left Penn State nearly a decade ago, the Nittany Lions’ 2016 season brings to mind images of his playing era and time “Linebacker U” thrived in. With all that said, let’s revisit a great player in Penn State football history.
In 2008 and 2009, the Nittany Lions enjoyed one of their best two-season stints in program history. Penn State went 22-4 over the two seasons led by a balanced HD spread attack and a suffocating defense.
Bowman became an enforcer in Penn State’s 4-3 defensive attack. Bowman wasn’t a prototypical linebacker standing just 6-foot-1 and weighing 232-pounds in college, but he made many running backs pay. He packed a punch as an undersized backer. As a two-year starter, he recorded 199 total tackles, 33.5 tackles for loss, seven sacks and three interceptions. His production was impressive, but it also helped to have Sean Lee and Josh Hull alongside him.
This trio of linebackers felt like a throwback. They covered sideline to sideline well and spearheaded one of the NCAA’s best defenses. In both 2008 and 2009, the Nittany Lions’ defense held offenses to less than 300-yards per game. Bowman and Penn State went 13-3 in Big Ten play including ranked wins over Michigan State, Ohio State and a bowl win over LSU.
Obviously, a strong defensive line played a role in their success, but Bowman, Lee and Hull make up one of the best linebacker units in Penn State’s history. All three produced at an elite level recording 100-plus tackles in at last one year in their careers.
Bowman built for versatility
Bowman‘s low pad level and strength allowed him to get under players and pop them. As you can see during his highlight reel, he’s a ballhawk. Bowman compiled loads of tackles during his two seasons in State College. For instance, he recorded nine games with double-digit tackles (Video Courtesy of Nittany Nation).
Outside of being a tackling machine, he did a decent job of getting to the quarterback. His versatility turned him into a true playmaker. In the NFL, the Niners used him in multiple ways. Bowman showed an ability to rush the passer on occasion recording five sacks in the 2013 season. His pass coverage proved to be effective with two interceptions and eight pass deflections in 2013 as well.
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Overall, the soon-to-be eighth year pro built a heck of a career in the NFL after a strong collegiate campaign. 671 tackles, 12.5 sacks, nine forced fumbles and four interceptions make up Bowman’s ridiculous stat line. As a four-time All-pro and three-time pro bowler, Bowman solidified himself as one of the best Penn State products in NFL history.