Less than a week after UCF lost its top recruit in the class of 2023 to Florida, the Knights landed former Gators running back Demarkcus Bowman through the transfer portal.
Coming out of high school, Bowman was a five-star recruit and considered among the top 3 running backs in his class by 247Sports. He ranks No. 391 all-time on 247Sports’ list with a near-perfect rating of .9909. However, a high rating didn’t translate to immediate success, and Bowman left Clemson in October of his freshman year in 2020. It took him just two days to decide on Florida at that point, one day less than he spent in the portal this time around.
Bowman’s departure from Florida on June 24 came as a bit of a surprise after he impressed in spring practices, but a crowded running backs room was presumed to be the reason. Lousiana transfer Montrell Johnson already knows Napier’s scheme, Nay’Quan Wright is the only returning back on the depth chart with legitimate in-game experience and Lorenzon Lingard is also a former five-star that’s been impressive. If that’s not crowded enough, freshman Trevor Etienne was behind him hungry for any playing time.
For a guy that could be a star, it’s not the ideal situation. So, he headed a few hours south to the team that beat Florida last year in the Gasparilla Bowl. The only problem is that he will have to sit out the 2022 season with this being his second transfer and well past the deadline for players to enter the portal. A waiver could clear that issue though, and the Knights have had three players regain eligibility over the past two years.
It may benefit Bowman to wait, though. Isaiah Bowser and Johnny Richardson each netted over 700 rushing yards last season, and the duo is set to return for another run in Orlando. Playing alongside Richardson was one of the catalysts for Bowman’s transfer to UCF, according to 247Sports.
Sitting out until 2023 would give Bowman time to learn the playbook and move up the depth chart with only Richardson to compete with, assuming he returns for his senior year. Behind those guys, UCF has a fleet of former three stars that are fighting for some playing time.
Bowman will be 22 in 2023, though. The likelihood of him staying another year to meet up against his former club when the UF-UCF series begins in 2024 is low. However, he should be a part of the Knights’ first season as a member of the Big 12.