One to Watch Interview with Determined 2020 Nevada CB Donte Bowers

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

The offseason in any sport is when champions are made and aspiring players take their game to another level. Some hopeful athletes talk the talk but do not walk the walk – Class of 2020 cornerback/safety Donte Bowers is walking the walk setting up a breakout junior campaign.

The rest of the nation may not know it, but Liberty High School is as tough and scrappy of a team as any other in the country. The Patriots opened the 2017 season taking down eventual Arizona 4A state champs Saguaro (51-20), took on eventual Florida 5A state champs and No. 6 nationally ranked American Heritage (Plantation), topped Sandy’s (UT) Alta (28-7), and battled another national powerhouse, Bishop Gorman, in the Nevada state title game before falling valiantly 35-13.

Through all the tough competition, Bowers got meaningful snaps on the field with Liberty playing in the secondary and on special teams. As mentioned, the offseason is when players are made, and Bowers is making himself into a rising talent. Disrupting an easier go by staying local for weekend training sessions, the 5-10, 170-pound, go-getter went back and forth from his Henderson area home to Los Angeles every weekend to play 7v7 ball with one of the nation’s best, Ground Zero. The challenge of working with and against some of the best players in the nation are sure to show on the field for Bowers in 2018.

The rise in play from Bowers will be needed when the Patriots’ season kicks off in August. The first three games of the Patriots season maybe the toughest in the nation opening with Saguaro (Scottsdale, AZ), Lone Peak (Highland, UT), and IMG Academy (Bradenton, FL). In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with Bowers covering how he is preparing for a tough 2018 schedule while learning more about his Nevada to Cali spring workouts.

Interview

Donte, you got some varsity snaps in during your sophomore season. What were some of the more important aspects of the game you learned last season?

“I learned how to mature my game against varsity competition. That made a big impact on me. Now I am ready for the big games we have this year; we play IMG Academy (FL), Saguaro (AZ) and Lone Peak (Utah). Getting time in last year prepared me a lot for the upcoming season.”

How did your game improve last season as a corner?

“My game improved a lot, and has even more this offseason. I am working with Coach Anthony Brown with Ground Zero on my game. My eye discipline and technique has improved. I’ve been in the weight room a lot and ran track this offseason. My strength and speed has improved as well.”

Where all might you lineup on the field during your junior year?

“Corner or safety. I’m at corner now, but I will play wherever they need me.”

What are you focused on with your offseason workouts?

“I’m in the weight room trying to get bigger. I am gaining weight. I was 155 pounds my sophomore year, now I am 170 pounds. That is a big improvement.”

That’s great. When do the Patriots start spring ball?

“We started already. We are going into Week 4 on Monday.”

How is the team looking?

“We are looking good. Compared to last season, we are a little bit younger but we are coming together.”

I know you play 7v7 ball with Ground Zero out of California, did you go back and forth from Nevada to California every weekend for 7v7 tournaments?

“Yeah. I went back-and-forth every weekend.”

I have to admit, that impresses me a lot and shows your dedication to the game. I think that is great.

“Thank you.”

An unfair question, but what was it like for you getting to play against California talent this spring? What were some of the differences in style of play or abilities?

“One of the main reasons I wanted to play with Ground Zero is to play against the best of the best. The talent out there in California is on another level. The practices with Ground Zero are tough. That helps me in my practices at school.”

Which schools are showing interest in you?

“Nevada is showing interest.”

Have you taken any unofficial visits yet?

“Yes. I have visited USC and Arizona State.”

How did your ASU visit go?

“I went with my team from Las Vegas. I talked to their running back coach, Coach (John) Simon; their defensive backs coach was not there. I am trying to stay in touch with them.”

Are you going to any college camps this summer?

“UCLA, Redlands – Washington, Utah, and Arizona, and I am doing a Bay area tour of camps at Fresno State, Cal, and San Jose State. We are also doing a team camp padded camp at Boise State; that’ll be fun.”

Last question. What is one goal you have set for yourself that you want to accomplish before the 2018 season begins?

“Before the season begins, I want to gain more weight and get stronger. I hope to be around 5-11, 175, by the start of the season.”

Donte, thanks for your time today and good luck with the rest of your spring practices.

“Thank you.”

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Photo credit: @AwelchFilms_ (Twitter); Donte Bowers on the field

Photo credit: Ground Zero; Donte Bowers at a Ground Zero workout

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