‘Grateful’ Bowen enjoys busy spring on recruiting trail as one of nation’s top-ranked football players
Grant Bowen had a busy spring.
The No. 25 football player and No. 1 athlete nationally in the Class of 2028, according to Rivals, Bowen took visits to some of the nation’s premier college football programs. At each stop he had a different experience.
Over the past six weeks, Bowen took visits to Northwestern, Michigan State, Indiana, Ohio State, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Miami (Florida) and, most recently, Iowa. The IC Catholic Prep product has 21 scholarship offers.
“I’m pretty grateful,” Bowen said. “It’s an accomplishment to know all these schools want me to come out there. I’m just really grateful for these opportunities and to be able to have all these offers I have so that I can make the best decision that I can for my future."
A Class 3A all-state honoree as a sophomore, Bowen is coming off a sophomore season in which he helped IC Catholic Prep reach the state quarterfinals. Bowen made a notable impact on both ends of the field, tallying over 800 yards and 12 receptions as a wide receiver and tight end while adding over 70 tackles as an outside linebacker.
With his two-way prowess, his offers vary, as schools see him suited for different positions. Michigan State, Iowa and Northwestern offered Bowen as an athlete, but Notre Dame and Miami offered him as a tight end, and Ohio State and Oklahoma envision him as a linebacker.
But when it comes time for Bowen to make a decision — something he doesn’t plan on until the summer before his senior season — position won’t play a role.
“I don’t think it will matter,” Bowen said. “I just want to play where I can help the team out, so I don’t really necessarily care about the position that I play.”
Bowen’s father, Matt Bowen, was a seven-year NFL veteran at safety who attended Iowa before playing for the St. Louis Rams, Green Bay Packers, Washington Redskins and Buffalo Bills. Matt Bowen graduated from Glenbard West.
Through the recruiting process, Grant Bowen has leaned on his father for advice, given his experience decades ago. His father has emphasized the importance of keeping all of his options open.
In addition, his father helped him develop an understanding of what he wants in a school.
“The most important thing is having a good coaching staff, a team that wants to win and has a winning culture, and a team that you can tell that the players want to be there,” Bowen said. “Some teams, you can see the players don’t want to be there.”
After ending the 2025 high school football season at 200 pounds, Bowen has spent considerable time in the weight room and is up to 227 pounds. Ahead of the coming high school season, he hopes to lead the Knights to the state championship.
“We’re going for state,” Bowen said. “That’s always the goal, and I think we have a great shot this next year. Last year, we had a younger team. This year, we have more of a junior-, senior-heavy team, so I think we have a great chance for a state championship.”