Ravens decide UH’s Bowser ‘a perfect fit’
Linebacker to immediately compete for starting job in Baltimore’s defense
Tyus Bowser passed his first test with the Baltimore Ravens.
“Do you know who I work for,” general manager Ozzie Newsome asked Bowser on the telephone after the Ravens selected the University of Houston outside linebacker with the 47th overall pick in the second round of Friday night’s NFL draft.
“Hopefully the Ravens,” Bowser said.
“That’s a good way to answer that question,” Newsome said to a roomful of laughter in the Ravens’ draft room, according to a video distributed by the team.
The selection of Bowser is part of a revamped defense for the Ravens, who believe his explosiveness and freakish athleticism can translate into an impact pass rusher.
Coach John Harbaugh said the 6-3, 247-pound Bowser will immediately compete for the starting outside linebacker job that opened up with the release of Elvis Dumervil this offseason.
“You’re going to rush the quarterback, stop the run,” Harbaugh told Bowser.
“You’ve worked hard. You deserve this,” Harbaugh added. “You’re a great fit for us. We love the way you play. We love how hard you play. We’re building the best defense in the NFL, and you’re about to be a part of it.”
‘A huge honor’
The Ravens were among a handful of teams Bowser visited during the predraft process.
“It means everything,” Bowser said by phone from his home in Tyler. “The Ravens giving me an opportunity to play for them, to make an impact on the team … is a huge honor.”
As a senior, Bowser had 8½ sacks and 12 tackles for loss in just eight games. He missed five games with a broken orbital bone he suffered in a fight with a teammate.
A multiple-sport star at Tyler John Tyler, Bowser played both football and basketball during his first two years at UH. He decided to concentrate on football entering his junior season and had his two best seasons with a combined 14 sacks and 18½ tackles for loss.
Fast riser
Bowser’s draft stock began to rise after a strong performance at the NFL combine, with a 4.65-second 40-yard dash and 37.5inch vertical.
Bowser joins Elandon Roberts, a sixth-round pick of the Patriots last year, as the only UH linebackers taken in the draft since Allen Aldridge and Ryan McCoy in 1993. He is the first UH player ever selected by the Ravens.
“They’re getting a great player,” Bowser said. “A guy that’s good on and off the field, that’s going to work hard, play hard, that’s going to rush the passer and that’s also going to be a huge factor on special teams.”
Yet another question Bowser aced on the phone.
“Do you mind playing special teams if you have to play special teams?” Newsome said.
“That’s a priority,” Bowser said.
In the background, Harbaugh and special-teams coordinator/associate head coach Jerry Rosburg could be heard yelling: “He better say yes.”
‘Now it happened’
Ravens defensive coordinator Dean Pees reminded Bowser of a visit two weeks before the draft when the two sat in his office watching film.
“Remember I said you would be a perfect fit in our defense?” Pees said. “Well now it happened.”
UH could have a few more players selected during Saturday’s final day of the draft, which consists of the fourth through seventh rounds.
Cornerbacks Brandon Wilson and Howard Wilson are projected to be taken, while quarter back turned-receiver Greg Ward Jr. could go in the seventh round or sign as undrafted free agent.