Dan Lanning loading up on dudes, disruptors and dogs, and d-lineman Johnny Bowens is the latest example.

 

Converse, Texas defensive lineman Johnny Bowens has a better spin move than the Tasmanian Devil.

A late add here in San Antonio, #Oregon DL signee Johnny Bowens has been taking advantage of his opportunity this morning at the West practice. pic.twitter.com/gqdbq2r5Q4

— Cooper Petagna (@cpetagna247) January 4, 2023

Later that day he showed his versatility, doing the same thing to #72 on the other side of the defense.

Johnny Bowens this morning at AAA practice https://t.co/nrrQWjL3aQ

— QB11 (@Qb11Sd) January 4, 2023

Bowens committed to the Ducks on Thanksgiving Day 2022 and enrolled at Oregon in January, participating in Spring Practice. He'll take his first snaps this fall, competing for playing time in a veteran group.

He was part of a huge haul for the Ducks in Texas. Dan Lanning and his staff flexed national recruiting muscle in the 2023 cycle by grabbing 6 players out of the Lone Star Star State:

Tyler Turner 4-star DB San Antonio

Ashton Cozart 4-star WR Flower Mound

Austin Novosad 4-star QB Dripping Springs

Terrance Green 4-star DE Cypress

Ashton Porter 4-star DE  Cypress

Johnny Bowens 4-star DE Converse

In Bowens' case, he was a classic reminder that "it ain't over til it's over." The 6-3, 265 defensive end committed to Texas A&M on Christmas Day 2021, then decommitted after visiting the Ducks in June 2022. That November he announced a Final Three of A&M, Texas and Oregon. The On3 Sports Projection Machine (a fancy name for wild-ass guessing) gave him an 87.3% chance of signing with the Aggies. 

He enrolled in Eugene after participating in the All-American game in January. 

In his high school highlight film Bowen flashes prodigious strength and power. He's terrifyingly quick. At times he can make offensive tackles look like Elmer Fudd on ice skates.

He told Travis Recek of Spectrum Local News, “I feel like you can change the game anytime if you’re hitting the quarterback. If you’re in the quarterback's face all the time you have a good chance to win the game.”

His mindset is strong for his move away from home to the Pacific Northwest. “I’m bringing something good, a good, true freshman that’s going to come in and work,” Bowens said. “I know I’m going to have to put in hard work and learn from other people that are older than me and work my craft.”

Bowens challenge is, he doesn't play at that highlight film level on every play. For his senior year the Judson High product compiled 24 tackles, 8.0 tackles for loss, 4.0 sacks and a pass deflection. As a junior, 36 tackles, 8.0 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks, two forced fumbles and four pass deflections. 

Those are good stats, but not elite. You'd expect a prospect with this much physical intensity to be more dominant at the high school level. Going into college, he'll have to improve his endurance and technique to be an every-down player and an NFL draft pick.

He's set his sights high. He picked the Ducks partly because of Dan Lanning's track record in developing Outland Trophy winner Jordan Davis. That's who he intends to pattern his game after. 

Bowens understands the standard and the challenge. Going into his senior year at Judson he told Nate Ryan of KENS5-TV in San Antonio, “Every play, I feel like I got to play 100%. Once I get to 100% for four downs every single play, I feel like I’m going to be that guy.”