NaVorro Bowman, OLB

Bowman was able to overcome injuries, off-field issues and two personal tragedies in 2008.

Talent, hustle, toughness and determination are all attributes Bowman possesses. He joined All-American Sean Lee, tenacious senior Josh Hull and promising sophomores Michael Mauti and Nate Stupar to form college football's finest linebacker unit in 2009. With Bowman, Lee and Hull as starters, the trio combined for 295 tackles, seven quarterback sacks and 36.5 tackles for loss. Penn State ranked third in the nation in scoring defense (12.23 points per game), sixth in rush defense (89.85 yards per game) and ninth in total defense (89.85 yards per game).

Many experts figured that Bowman would carry on the torch at the university in 2010, but family issues made the junior reluctantly decide to leave school and apply for early entry to the 2010 NFL Draft. He had to overcome great personal losses on either side of the 2008 season, in-between delivering physical, no-nonsense efforts worthy of Penn State's proud "Linebacker U" legacy.

His father, Hillard, died unexpectedly in June of complications from a blood clot. The day before the Rose Bowl clash with Southern California, his high school coach and mentor, Nick Lynch, was killed in an automobile accident. Along with having to care for his infant son, an early round rookie contract would help support his family.

Bowman was a standout linebacker and tailback for the Lynch at Suitland High School. He missed most of his senior season with a shoulder injury, but he had a very impressive junior campaign. That year, he recorded an amazing 165 tackles, with nine sacks and three fumble recoveries and ran for 1,200 yards and 22 touchdowns. For his superlative efforts, he was selected the Maryland Defensive Player-of-the-Year, first-team All-State, Washington Post first-team All-Metro Area and first-team All-Conference.

Bowman enrolled at Penn State in 2006, appearing briefly vs. Youngstown State before the coaching staff decided to redshirt him. He played in nine games as a reserve left outside linebacker in 2007, missing several contests after a several ankle sprain vs. Illinois placed him on crutches for a few weeks. In 307 plays, he totaled 16 tackles (four solo) with a sack, causing a fumble and recovering one.

Even though he did not move into the starting lineup until the fourth game of the 2008 campaign, Bowman earned first-team All-Big Ten Conference honors. He ranked eighth in the league with a team-high 106 tackles (61 solo) that included four sacks and placed eighth in the conference with 16.5 stops behind the line of scrimmage. He also caused two fumbles, broke up five passes and picked off another on 702 defensive snaps.

Primed for a banner 2009 campaign, Bowman suffered a groin injury in August camp and re-injured it in the season opener vs. Akron. He did not return to action until the fourth contest on the schedule. He still finished second on the team with 93 tackles (53 solo), ranking seventh in the Big Ten. He also led the Lions while ranking third in the league with 17.0 stops for loss.

His big plays came on a 91-yard fumble recovery return for a score vs. Eastern Illinois and on a 73-yard interception return for a touchdown that sealed Penn State's victory over Indiana. He would garner second-team All-American honors, as the Bednarik Award semi-finalist was also selected All-Big Ten first-team for the second consecutive season.

Read & React: Smart, with a great nose for the ball. Reacts quickly to inside or stretch runs, recognizes misdirection plays and screens, and collapses on receivers in a hurry when dropped into coverage. Will bite on play-action at times because of his aggressive nature and quickness.

Run defense: Excellent chase and hustle against the run, closes on the ball quickly from sideline-to-sideline. Changes direction well, breaks down in space and attacks the ball. Attacks run plays so fast it looks as though he's on a run blitz even when that's not the case. Knifes through traffic and sidesteps fullback blocks inside as well as any linebacker in the draft. Flows through trash and finds the ball when lined up between the tackles. Has the upper-body strength to punch and prevent a lineman latching onto him in space, but must become more consistent getting off tight end blocks on the line and at the second level. Gets engulfed by better tackles at the point of attack.

Pass defense: Cognizant defender in zone coverage. Quick and fluid in his drop -- gets deep enough to prevent first downs. Gives up no extra yardage when receivers catch a ball in his area or when he sniffs out a screen. Good hands for the interception and can make a play after the catch with fine speed, vision and elusiveness for a defensive player. Can leap to knock down passes to receivers behind him or when rushing the quarterback. Runs with receivers and tight ends down the seam, although his lack of height puts him at a disadvantage.

Tackling: Rare tackling ability in space. Breaks down and is extremely difficult to elude once he's in the area. Drops his hips and plants the ballcarrier whenever possible. Strong arms and hands. Creates turnovers by getting his hands on the ball or wrapping arms around the ballcarrier. Uses hustle and aggression to overcome his limited reach.

Pass Rush/Blitz: Tough to stop when coming off the edge because of his closing speed, flexibility to turn the corner and determination. Agile enough to avoid running back and tight end blocks when blitzing and is capable of bull rushing or powering through the shoulder of interior linemen up the middle. Hits with a purpose when he sniffs out a quarterback rollout or bootleg.

Intangibles: Missed three games with a groin injury in 2009. Well-liked teammate with a high football IQ. Character concerns could hurt his draft stock. Lost his father (blood clot) and high school coach (car accident) within about six months during the 2008 season. Father of Navorro, Jr., born in the summer of 2009. Graduated in December with a degree in Crime, Law and Justice.

Bowman started 21-of-33 games at Penn State, recording 215 tackles (117 solo) with 8.0 sacks for minus-43 yards, 36.0 stops for losses totaling 120 yards and three forced fumbles … Recovered three fumbles, returning one 91 yards for a touchdown … Blocked a kick and deflected nine passes … Had three interceptions for 115 yards in returns and a touchdown … His 36.0 tackles for loss tied Matt Millen (1976-79) and Tamba Hali (2002-05) for 10th in school history … His 91 yards fumble recovery return vs. Eastern Illinois in 2009, broke the school record long return of 88 yards by Tony Davis vs. Tennessee in the 2007 Outback Bowl … His 73-yard interception return was the longest scoring runback by a Nittany Lion since Yaacov Yisrael had an 83-yarder vs. Iowa in 2003 … Tied the Rose Bowl record that was originally set by Ohio State's Andy Katzenmoyer in the 1997 game, when Bowman recorded five stops behind the line of scrimmage in the 2009 clash vs. Southern California.

Selected second-team All-American by The NFL Draft Report, The Sporting News, CBS Sports, Phil Steele's College Football, Rivals.com and Sports Illustrated, adding third-team honors from the Associated Press and College Football News … Earned first-team All-Big Ten Conference honors for the second consecutive season … Despite a lingering groin strain from August camp that he reinjured vs. Akron, missing the final three quarters of that game and the next two contests vs. Syracuse and Temple, Bowman finished second on the team with 93 tackles (52 solos), as his average of 8.45 hits per game ranked seventh in the conference … Had three sacks for minus-15 yards and led the squad with 17.0 stops for losses of 60 yards … His average of 1.55 tackles for loss per game was good for third in the Big Ten … Scored twice in 2009, on a 91-yard fumble recovery return (had a pair of recoveries) vs. Eastern Illinois and on a 73-yard interception return (picked off two passes for 86 yards) vs. Ohio State … Also deflected three passes while starting eleven games at right outside linebacker … Part of a squad that ranked second in the Big Ten in total defense (ninth nationally, 274.46 yards per game) and rush defense (sixth in the NCAA, 89.85 yards per game) while leading the conference in scoring defense (12.23 points per game) … Recorded 74 of his tackles vs. the ground game, delivering thirteen third-down and one fourth-down hit, along with 15 tackles inside the red zone, including four on goal-line plays vs. the opponent's running game … Also registered five third-down stops on 26 pass plays into his area.

Consensus All-Big Ten Conference first-team selection, ranking eighth in the league in tackles (8.15 pg) and sixth in tackles behind the line of scrimmage (1.27 pg) … Faced with the loss of 2007 All-American Dan Connor to graduation and 2008 All-American candidate Sean Lee to a serious knee injury in spring practice, Bowman combined with Josh Hull and Tyrell Sales to keep the high level of productivity going for "Linebacker U," as he played an instrumental role in Penn State being ranked in the Top 10 in the nation in three primary defensive categories, including eighth in scoring defense (14.38 points per game), total defense (280.08 yards per game) and rush defense (93.23 yards per game) … Bowman led the Nittany Lions in total tackles (106), solos (61), and assisted tackles (45), was second in tackles for loss (16.5 for minus-50 yards) and tied for third in sacks (4.0 for minus-22 yards), despite not moving into the starting lineup at right outside linebacker until the fourth game on the schedule … Also forced two fumbles, recovered a fumble, grabbed an interception for a 29-yard return and had five pass break-ups while participating in 702 defensive snaps … Compiled double-figures in hits five times, including three of the biggest wins -- Ohio State, Michigan and Oregon State.

In his first season on the field, Bowman played in nine contests, missing the Iowa and Wisconsin games due to a sprained ankle suffered in the contest at Illinois … Recorded 16 tackles (four solos) with a 6-yard sack and 2.5 stops for losses of 10 yards … Recovered and caused a fumble … Also blocked a kick and deflected a pass while participating in 307 defensive snaps.

Suited up for action vs. Youngstown State, but did not get on the field before the staff red-shirted him.

2005 Season … Missed most of his high school senior season with a shoulder injury.

2007 Season … Missed the fourth quarter vs. Illinois (9/29) and the next two contests vs. Iowa (10/06) and Wisconsin (10/13) with a high ankle sprain that placed him on crutches after the Illini clash.

2009 Season … Bowman missed a week of training camp with a strained groin and re-aggravated it in the first half of Penn State's opener vs. Akron (9/05). He missed the next two games vs. Syracuse (9/12) and Temple (9/19) due to the injury.

Campus: 4.77 in the 40-yard dash … 1.65 10-yard dash … 2.74 20-yard dash … 4.59 20-yard shuttle … 11.52 60-yard shuttle … 6.91 three-cone drill … 29.5-inch vertical jump … 9'7" broad jump … Bench pressed 225 pounds 26 times … 33-inch arm length … 9 7/8-inch hands.

2008 Season … In late May, Bowman and defensive tackle Phil Taylor pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge in connection with an on-campus fight in 2007 that saw Bowman be suspended for the Michigan State )11/17/07) and Texas A&M (12/29/07, Alamo Bowl) games. This resolved the last of the major legal problems for the current team members. Both players pleaded guilty to a disorderly conduct charge in exchange for prosecutors' dropping more serious assault charges. "You're never pleased to have to plead to anything," said Taylor's defense attorney Ron McGlaughlin. "But from the standpoint that the matter is finally over with, I think it worked out appropriately." The players were sentenced to one year of probation and 100 hours of community service by Centre County Judge Bradley P. Lunsford, who gave the players a stern lecture about being role models. Taylor and Bowman had been kicked off the team while their cases were pending …

Bowman had that probation extended this spring when he admitted to smoking marijuana but received no further punishment. He then tested positive for marijuana that spring and was given an extra year of probation back in April, with the promise of jail time for further violations … Bowman also dealt with the death of his father, Hilliard, in June 2008 and his high school football coach, Nick Lynch, last January. His first child, son Navorro Jr., was born in June … QUOTE TO NOTE: "It opened my eyes a lot. I do appreciate where I am and how special it is for me to be where I'm at now. I just plan on doing what I gotta do from here on out," said Bowman, on how his off-field issues (an off-campus fight and probation violation) have influenced his football career. "It's about growing up and realizing what's right and what's wrong," he said. "Sure, the things that happened off the field make me look at things a little closer and make more right choices. A mistake is a mistake, and I own up to what I did. I haven't run from it. "

Bowman was a standout linebacker and tailback for the late Coach Nick Lynch at Suitland (District Heights, Md.) High School … Missed most of his senior season with a shoulder injury, but he had a very impressive junior campaign … Recorded an amazing 165 tackles, with nine sacks and three fumble recoveries and ran for 1,200 yards and 22 touchdowns … For his superlative efforts, he was selected the Maryland Defensive Player-of-the-Year, first-team All-State, Washington Post first-team All-Metro and first-team All-Conference.

Graduated in December, 2009 with a degree in Crime, Law and Justice … Son of the late Hilliard Bowman … Has an infant son, Navorro, Jr … Born Navorro R. Bowman on 5/28/88 …

Resides in District Heights, Maryland.