Transfer rule, ‘Paw Patrol’ and Lamar Jackson: More from Lynn Bowden at the combine
University of Kentucky junior Lynn Bowden is participating in the NFL’s annual draft combine this week.
In addition to revealing that he would not be able to run in the 40-yard dash and opening up about his positional flexibility, Bowden addressed various other topics during an interview session with reporters that lasted about 20 minutes on Tuesday.
Transfer rule
The NCAA in April is expected to vote on a proposal that would allow first-time transfers to be immediately eligible at their next institution, which some coaches fear could create something resembling “free agency” in college athletics.
The rule, which would go into effect beginning with the 2020-21 school year, is one that might have altered Bowden’s decision-making process during a freshman season that left him questioning his commitment to Kentucky. Had a team like Clemson or Ohio State come calling for his services, he’s confident he would have fit into their championship quests.
“I feel like I could do the same things I did at Kentucky anywhere else,” Bowden said.
Had he not had some heartfelt conversations with Vince Marrow following his first year on campus, Bowden probably would have transferred, he said. Whether immediate eligibility elsewhere would have altered that outcome is moot, now; as is, he’s happy with how things played out.
“The ones that’s committed, they’re gonna stay committed,” Bowden said of would-be transfer candidates. “And the ones that really don’t want to be there, that’s the ones that are gonna jump. I was almost in their shoes but I’m glad I made the decision to stay.”
Lamar Jackson
A couple of mock drafts have projected the Baltimore Ravens as a potential landing spot for Bowden, which would mean potentially lining up alongside former University of Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson.
Bowden welcomes the blend of Card and Cat.
“That’s my boy,” Bowden said with a grin. “We’re gonna put the past behind us, you know what I’m saying?”
The two went head-to-head only once in college: Louisville defeated Kentucky, 44-17, at Kroger Field during Bowden’s freshman season. He had a single rush for 7 yards in that game but has a rosier perspective of it in hindsight.
“My freshman year when we played against him, I feel like it probably would’ve been a shootout if I was at quarterback,” Bowden said with a laugh.
Kentucky’s future
The University of Kentucky football program has finished with a winning record nine times this century. Bowden was a member of the last three teams to do it, including the 2018 squad that finished 10-3 and as Citrus Bowl champs.
It’s only going up from here, Bowden said.
“SEC championship, for real,” Bowden said when asked about UK’s future. “I ‘m holding them to a bar that’s up here (motioning high). I know they’re gonna go get it. Sooner or later, they’re gonna go get it.”
Kentucky was the outright SEC champion in 1950 and co-champion along with Georgia in 1976 (awarded retroactively). It has not won the league since.
Matt House
Former UK defensive coordinator Matt House left to become the Kansas City Chiefs’ linebackers coach last offseason. He and Bowden chirped frequently at each other while they were in Lexington.
“I got under his skin ‘cause his defense couldn’t tackle me and he didn’t like that,” Bowden said with a grin. “Me and Coach House, we were competitive. I’d talk my stuff to him and he’d talk his stuff to me, but I always won at the end of the day.”
Draft training
Bowden has spent his offseason at the EXOS facility in Pensacola, Fla. He says it’s the first time in his life he’s dedicated himself completely to a training regimen.
“I’ve been soaking everything up,” Bowden said. “It’s different because you’ve got to focus on what the trainers want you to focus on whereas in practice you can just go with the flow, just let yourself go. It ain’t like that in training.”
Virginia Tech
The one question Bowden has been asked by every NFL team with whom he’s had conversations this week is the one he was expecting would be asked: What happened at the Belk Bowl?
In case you missed it: Prior to UK’s game against Virginia Tech in December, Bowden was caught throwing a punch by ESPN cameras. He was not suspended by the officials because it occurred prior to one hour before the game, when their jurisdiction begins.
“I tell them the whole thing,” Bowden said. “I regret it, I did it and we won. They wanted me to get kicked out of the game. They knew they couldn’t beat us.”
Lynn III
Bowden’s son, Lynn III, will turn 3 years old in April. He often cites Lynn III as a source of motivation; not just on the football field, but in becoming a better man off of it.
His son isn’t in Indianapolis, but Bowden got to FaceTime with him Monday.
“He was watching ‘Paw Patrol,’ so he wasn’t wanting my attention,” Bowden said with a smile. “Once he’s watching that, I just let him do his thing.”
Other ex-Cats
UK senior Ahmad Wagner was among several Wildcats who did not receive an invitation to the draft combine. Bowden was surprised about Wagner’s omission from the list.
“He’s 6-5,” Bowden said with emphasis. “I’ve seen a couple guys here that are 6-4, 6-3. He’s 6-5. He’s gonna get a shot, though. The guy’s a competitor.”
Wagner recorded 15 catches for 254 yards and two touchdowns last season. He was UK’s leading receiver after Bowden, but his production spiraled downward when Kentucky moved Bowden to quarterback; he recorded three catches for 6 yards in Bowden’s eight starts.
“I’m mad I couldn’t hook up with him,” Bowden said. “If my arm was a little better I would have hooked up with him a couple times.”
Bowden said Mike Edwards and Lonnie Johnson — roster members in defensive backfields for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Houston Texans, respectively — have texted with him frequently leading up to the combine.
“I got them better and they got me better,” Bowden said. “ ... (They) just told me to be me.”
This story was originally published February 25, 2020 at 4:31 PM.
