Deandre Bowman

Football

Behind the Mask: Deandre Bowman


Deandre Bowman likes to make people laugh.

So it was only fitting that when the former Georgia State football walk-on was awarded a scholarship for the 2020 season, the announcement was made by Atlanta comedian--and former GSU football player--Desi Banks.
 
"Getting awarded the scholarship was amazing because I had absolutely no idea that my name was even in the running for it," Bowman said.

The coaching staff asked Bowman to host the freshman talent show that the team annually holds at the end of preseason camp. The final act was playing the Desi Banks video.

"I thought it was a regular hype-up video for the first game," Bowman said. "When he said Deandre Bowman, you're on full scholarship, at first it didn't register that he said my name. I was happy and excited for someone. Then I saw everybody running up toward me and I realized, He said MY name."

More on Deandre Bowman on the Field

> Backup slot receiver and a special teams standout who joined the program in 2016 as a preferred walk-on from Pacelli High School in Columbus, Ga.

> Suffered a serious knee injury (torn ACL) as a senior in high school, and then re-injured the same knee at GSU in the spring of 2017.

"Having ACL surgery back to back is no easy feat. It really tests you physically and mentally because you're literally watching your leg get skinny and you can't do anything with it. I just told myself that I have to remain positive and I can't let it get me down. I had to tough it out to be able to play the game I love."

> After missing two full seasons with the injuries, his first game action came against Texas State in 2018, when he earned a spot on the kickoff return team.

"On the opening kickoff, I was so pumped up that I didn't even hear the whistle," Bowman recalled. "I just remember seeing the guy running down the field toward me. When it came time for me to block him, I just hit him as hard as I could, and when I opened my eyes, he was on the ground. I pancaked him."


More on Deandre Bowman off the Field

> The first person that he called after his scholarship award was his father, with whom he is extremely close.

> Deandre Bowman Sr. retired from the military after 22 years of active duty in the U.S. Army. He was deployed three separate times when Deandre was a child.

> Has two sisters, one older and one younger, and two younger brothers.

> Already a Georgia State graduate, Bowman earned his degree in public relations, with a minor in sociology, last spring. 

> He hopes to become a football coach.

"I would like to get into college coaching because I love the game so much," he explained. "I've been a student of the game for so long that I would love to become a teacher of it and help mold people into the best player they can become."

Our weekly 'Behind the Mask' segment is presented by Ford. Visit buyfordnow.com to learn more.
Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

Deandre Bowman

#43 Deandre Bowman

WR
5' 10"
Redshirt Senior

Players Mentioned

Deandre Bowman

#43 Deandre Bowman

5' 10"
Redshirt Senior
WR