Linebacker Manny Bowen committed to Penn State a little over two years ago, and stayed committed throughout James Franklin’s first year on the field. He was a four (or three) star linebacker, a top ten recruit out of the state of New Jersey, and filled a position of need for the Nittany Lions in the class.
With Nyeem Wartman-White’s injury last year, Bowen was thrust into the linebacker rotation fairly early in his true freshman year, and he saw time in all thirteen games. He led the team in special teams tackles, and 18 tackles (6 solo) including a half of a TFL on the season (fourth amongst linebackers).
Though not poised to crack the starting lineup due to Wartman-White return and the talent of him, Brandon Bell and Jason Cabinda in front of him, Bowen will likely be an even heavier part of the rotation in 2016 as the depth in the linebacker corps becomes even more of a concern.