Notre Dame Standout Drayk Bowen Named A Top Linebacker In College Football By Lindy's Sports

Several offensive and defensive players from Notre Dame's roster is finding themselves listed on several top players lists across multiple different outlets. Junior linebacker Drayk Bowen is no exception. Lindy's Sports named him as the No. 11 returning inside linebacker in the country ahead of the 2025 season, and the Irish middle linebacker has an argument to be much higher on this list. 

The Indiana native spent most of his freshman season on special teams, but his number was called to step into the starting lineup when former Notre Dame middle linebacker JD Bertrand was taken in the 2024 NFL draft by the Atlanta Falcons. Bowen started and played in all 16 games for the Irish last season as a true sophomore, and his evolution at the position was an enjoyment to watch. 

The 6-2 239 pound inside linebacker finished seventh on the defense in snaps played but that didn't prevent him from finishing third on the team in overall tackles. In 2024, he tallied 78 total tackles, 4.0 tackles for a loss, 1.0 sack, three forced fumbles and was credited with 30 run stops according to PFF. Bowen shined at times throughout the post season and was all over the field, racking up eight total tackles against both Penn State and Ohio State. 

Now, Bowen heads into his second year in the starting lineup and is in prime position to take the next step in becoming an elite linebacker at the collegiate level. He has the opportunity to become the first junior captain at linebacker for Notre Dame since 2015 when Jaylon Smith was named a team captain. Bowen's role will grow on and off the field, but his play last season earned him a spot on Lindy's list. 

The linebacking corps in South Bend is poised for a big season heading into year one of the Chris Ash regime. It's disheartening that Lindy's Sports didn't rank Notre Dame as having a top 10 linebacking unit per their unit rankings. With that being said, Bowen will be joined by Jaylen Sneed, Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa and Jaiden Ausberry in what is one of the most loaded linebacking units in the country. As a unit last season, these four players totaled 222 total tackles, 19.0 tackles for a loss, 5.0 sacks, five forced fumbles and five fumble recoveries. 

One Notre Dame opponent had a player listed on Lindy's inside linebacker rankings and that was Tauren York, the middle linebacker at Texas A&M. York received the No. 4 overall ranking. There were several Irish opponents listed on the 'Top Outside Linebackers' ranking by Lindy's including Kyle Louis (No. 2) and Rasheem Biles (No. 6) for Pittsburgh and Xavian Sorey Jr. (No. 8) for Arkansas.