Coming out of Chanute, Kansas, Ty Bowman is No. 80 on the countdown to kickoff. Standing at 6 foot 4 inches and weighing 216 pounds, the redshirt freshman wide receiver did not see any playing time in 2020. However, he has caught the attention of head coach Chris Klieman this spring.
“Two wide receivers [who] have done a really nice job to this point [are] Ty Bowman and Jaelon Travis … I’ve been really happy with them,” Klieman said in an interview with K-State Athletics.
A quarterback at Chanute High School, Bowman signed a preferred walk-on spot to Kansas State as an “athlete,” but quickly broke into his role as a wide receiver. It seems Bowman is still perfecting the position but has been making strides out on the numbers.
“A lot of other guys we’re learning about, Ty Bowman as a true freshman did some good things. He’s continuing to learn how to play the position,” Klieman said in a different interview with K-State Athletics.
Bowman announced his signing with the Wildcats through Twitter on Jan. 22, 2020.
I am extremely excited to announce that I am 100% committed to THE Kansas State University!! Thank you to everybody who has helped guide me through this recruiting process. Iβm truly blessed! Now itβs time to go win the dang day, THE WILDCAT WAY!π @KStateFB @CoachKli @spedbraet pic.twitter.com/gkpZ1X6avg
— ππͺ πΉπ π¨πππ (@80wman) January 23, 2020
While at Chanute, Bowman was named a Top 100 senior by Sports in Kansas and a finalist for 4A classification offensive player of the year. He lost out to Bishop Miege’s Daniel Jackson, now a wide receiver for the Minnesota Gophers. Bowman still impressed, throwing for 1,289 yards and 17 touchdowns as a senior and running for 890 yards and 13 scores.
Bowman’s quarterback play granted him the Southeast Kansas League offensive player of the year award as a senior and was also named to Topeka Capital-Journal’s first-team all-state. He was selected for the 2020 Kansas Shrine Bowl.
Bowman reached the quarterfinals of the 2019 Kansas State playoffs after a 12-2 record. He also helped lead the Chanute basketball team to a 2019 state basketball appearance.
While Bowman has not received any playing time yet, he has his mind on one thing while at K-State — being a beacon of hope for other walk-ons like himself.
“My ultimate dream for my career is to leave a legacy for future walk-ons,” Bowman said in an interview with KOAM News Now. “I not only want to find time on the field, I want to thrive on the field so other walk-ons know that if you put the work in, anything is possible.”
Bowman, a kinesiology major, could receive looks in a wide receiver rotation or on special teams if he continues to impress coach Klieman.
