Harding’s Bowden commits to Kentucky

January 15, 2017 at 12:08a.m.

He was runner-up for Mr. Football

Warren Harding quarterback Lynn Bowden is the latest to jump in the pipeline from the Mahoning Valley to the University of Kentucky.

Bowden announced via Instagram Saturday that he is “100 percent” committed to Kentucky. The accompanying photo of Bowden showed him in his full Warren Harding uniform save a pair of Wildcats gloves and with his hands together, showing the UK logo.

He’ll be one of three area players on the Wildcats’ roster, joining Cardinal Mooney’s Jordan Jones and Valley Christian’s Tymere Dubose.

Kentucky’s head coach is Mark Stoops — another Mooney graduate. Youngstown native Vince Marrow is on Stoops’ staff. The local connections were big in Bowden’s decision.

“I wanted to go somewhere where I would be comfortable,” Bowden said Saturday. “They’re from Youngstown and I’m from Youngstown.”

Bowden is the area’s highest rated player by national recruiting websites. Rivals.com rated Bowden as a four-star prospect and he had offers from 12 other schools, including Penn State, West Virginia, Michigan and Michigan State.

Marrow, Stoops, wide recievers coach Lamar Thomas and defensive backs coach Steven Clinkscale all made a push for Bowden’s commitment, the Vindicator’s Offensive Player of the Year said.

Bowden’s position on the team hasn’t been decided, but he does know what they plan to do.

“They’re going to get the ball in my hands,” Bowden said.

He accomplished a lot with the ball in his hands in his final season of high school football. Bowden rushed for 2,277 yards and passed for 1,366 with 57 total touchdowns. He led Harding to an 11-2 record with a Division II Region 5 title appearance. He was the runner-up for Mr. Football, the title given to Ohio’s best high school football player.

Kentucky is coming off its first winning season under Stoops in his fourth season. The Wildcats are considered an upstart contender in the SEC East. It’s a perfect spot for Bowden.

“I’ve always been the underdog. Watch out for me because I’m coming for the top,” Bowden said