Tyus Bowser

A two-year starter at Houston, Bowser was a stand-up outside linebacker in the Cougars' 3-4 base scheme and was used more to zone drop or defend the run than rush the passer. Despite his restricted number of pass rush attempts, he finished tied for third in the AAC in sacks as a senior. Bowser, who was also the back-up quarterback behind Greg Ward at John Tyler, originally committed to Oklahoma State (along with his high school teammate Fred Ross, who later switched to Mississippi State), but he wished to play both football and basketball and that wasn't an option in Stillwater. Bowser reopened his recruitment and signed with Houston and was a subpackage rush end his first two seasons with the Cougars, combining for 7.5 sacks as a freshman and sophomore. With the defense shifting to a 3-4 base when Tom Herman arrived, Bowser transitioned to outside linebacker and started 13 games as a junior in 2015, finishing with 50 tackles, 5.5 sacks and one interception. Despite missing five games due to injury in 2016, he had his most productive season as a senior with 47 tackles, 12.0 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks, earning Second Team All-AAC honors. Bowser is an impressive physical specimen with his fluid athleticism and defined build, showing steady football maturation the past two seasons. He was underutilized as a pass rush threat in college and is still developing his efficiency getting after the quarterback, but dropping and playing in space also helped him improve his off-ball skills. While still undeveloped in areas, Bowser's physical attributes should thrive if coached and used correctly in the NFL.

strengths

Explosive athlete with gifted movement skills. Torso flexibility and nimble redirection skills to play on his feet - also a member of the Houston basketball team during the 2013-14 and 2014-15 seasons. Lateral quickness, contact balance and body bend to work past blockers when rushing the pocket. Above average distance speed to chase down ballcarriers in pursuit. Experienced moving in reverse and dropping to cover. Looks like a body builder with his developed muscle tone throughout. Long arms to extend and protect himself. Improved reads to sniff out screens and stay disciplined - football awareness is blossoming. Comes to balance in a flash to reset his eyes and react. Experienced with his hand on the ground and in space. Received his undergraduate degree (Dec. 2016). Wasn't a full-time pass rusher, but still managed 12.0 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks in eight starts as a senior.

weaknesses

Sports tweener traits. Lack of core strength shows as a pass rusher, struggling to convert his speed to power. Needs to load more ammo into his hands to pepper and detach from blockers. Undeveloped arsenal of pass rush moves, lacking diversity or counter measures. Natural in space, but will lose track of receivers in coverage and needs to better anticipate passing lanes. Football IQ is much improved, but still not where it needs to be. Allows ballcarriers to squirm out of his grasp and needs to improve his pad level and finishing skills as a tackler. Missed five games as a senior after a verbal argument during a team activity (Sept. 2016) with teammate Matthew Adams escalated into a physical fight - Bowser fractured the orbital bone near his right eye and required surgery.

Three-star athlete by ESPN, Rivals, Scout

No. 34 defensive end nationally by Rivals

No. 52 defensive end nationally by 247Sports

No. 62 player in the state of Texas by Rivals

named to the AP Class 4A All-State First Team

named the 16-4A District Defensive MVP

totaled 59 tackles and 24 sacks as a senior

also forced five fumbles and recovered two in 2012

had 61 tackles, five sacks, one interception and three fumble recoveries as a junior

accumulated 52 tackles and four sacks his sophomore year

named 14-4A District Newcomer of the Year

chose Houston over Missouri, Oklahoma State and West Virginia among others.

Was a member of the University of Houston Basketball program (2013-14, 2014-15)

son of Sonia David and Ray Davis

names his mother as the most influential person in his life.

2016

defensive
TFL	QB HUR	TOT	TD	PD	SACKS	SOLO
12.0	9.0	47.0	0.0	4.0	8.5	27.0

2015

interceptions
TD	AVG	YDS	INT
0.0	8.0	8.0	1.0