NFL CAREER – After being released by the New England Patriots, Bowden Jr. signed as a free agent with the New Orleans Saints after participating in the team's minicamp on a tryout basis. Originally drafted in the third round by Las Vegas in 2020 out of Kentucky, Bowden was traded as a rookie to the Miami Dolphins before the start of the season, where he appeared in 10 games and made four starts in his rookie campaign, finishing the season with 28 receptions for 211 yards along with nine rushing attempts for 32 yards. The former college quarterback also completed one pass on two attempts for 32 yards. After spending the 2021 season on Injured Reserve, Bowden appeared in one contest for New England in 2022.
CAREER TRANSACTIONS – Signed by New Orleans Saints, 6/15/23; Waived by New England Patriots, 5/10/23; Signed by Patriots to reserve/future contract, 1/30/23; Elevated to Patriots active roster (standard), 11/5/22; Signed by Patriots to the practice squad, 9/1/22; Waived by Miami Dolphins, 8/30/22. Placed on Injured Reserve by Miami, 8/24/21; Reinstated by Miami off Reserve/COVID-19, 11/12/20; Placed by Miami on Reserve/COVID-19, 11/6/20; Traded by the Las Vegas Raiders to the Miami Dolphins in exchange for a 2021 fourth round pick, 9/5/20; Signed by the Raiders to a four-year rookie contract, 7/25/20; Selected by the Las Vegas Raiders in the third round (80th overall) of the 2020 NFL Draft.
2022 – Spent the season on the Patriots practice squad. Appeared in one game without recording any statistics. 2021 – Spent season on Injured Reserve 2020 – After being traded by the Raiders prior to the start of his rookie season, Bowden appeared in 10 games for the Dolphins, making four starts. In his rookie campaign, finished the season with 28 receptions for 211 yards along with nine rushes for 32 yards. The former quarterback also completed one pass on two attempts for 32 yards. In his final game action of his rookie season, He caught a career-high eight passes for 44 yards at Buffalo, 1/3/21. His first NFL pass completion also came against Buffalo for 32 yards. Also recorded a season-high 11 rushing yards vs. Cincinnati, Dec. 6 and a season-high 82 receiving yards vs. the AFC Champion Kansas City Chiefs, Dec. 13.
COLLEGE – Played at the University of Kentucky, where he appeared in all 39 contests with 25 starts…Appeared at QB, WR, RB, and handled return duties during his three-year collegiate career…He finished with career marks of 38-of-79 passing (48.1 pct.) for 495 yards (6.3 avg.) and 3 TDs, 206 carries for 1,530 yards (7.4 avg.) and 13 TDs, 114 receptions for 1,303 yards (11.4 avg.) and six TDs, made 71 kickoff returns for 1,628 yards (22.9 avg.), and returned nine punts for 199 yards (22.1 avg.) and 2 TDs. His 114 career receptions ranked 13th in school history. Additionally, his 1,303 career receiving yards ranked 18th in school history. His 4,660 career all-purpose yards ranked fifth in school history. Became the 10th player in school history to reach 4,000 all-purpose yards and the 38th player in program history to reach 1,000 career rushing yards…As a junior in 2019, was voted a team captain and started all 13 games on offense, finishing 35-of-74 passing (47.3 avg.) and 3 TDs, 185 carries for 1,468 yards (7.9 avg.) and 13 TDs, 30 receptions for 348 yards (11.6 avg.) and one TD, made nine kickoff returns for 220 yards (24.4 avg.); and returned four punts for 53 yards (13.3 avg.). His 1,369 rushing yards in his eight games at QB were a school record for rushing yards in a season by a QB. He also became the only player in FBS to lead his team in both rushing and receiving yards, earning first-team All-American, first-team All-SEC honors and won the Paul Hornung Award for nation's most versatile player. In his sophomore campaign in 2018, he played in all 13 games with 12 starts, finishing 0-of-1 passing, made nine carries for 25 yards, recorded 67 receptions for 745 yards (11.1 avg.) and five TDs, along with 25 kickoff returns for 539 yards (21.6 avg.), and made five punt returns for 146 yards (29.2 avg.) and two TDs. His 67 receptions, 745 receiving yards and five TD receptions led team and set a school record by a sophomore. He earned second-team All-SEC honors and made the All-Citrus Bowl Team for his efforts…As a freshman in 2017, Bowden played in all 13 games, finishing the campaign three-of-four passing for 92 yards, recorded 12 carries for 37 yards (3.1 avg.), 17 receptions for 210 yards (12.4 avg.), and made 37 kickoff returns for 869 yards (23.5 avg.). Earned All-SEC Freshman Team honors for his contributions…Majored in community and leadership development
PERSONAL – Attended Warren G. Harding (Warren, Ohio) HS, where he played both quarterback and running back. Over career, finished sixth all-time in state of Ohio with 7,387 rushing yards…He finished his senior season in 2016 with 1,366 passing yards and 2,227 rushing yards with 57 total touchdowns. Named the Division II Offensive Player of the Year, the County Player of the Year, and finished as runner up for Ohio's "Mr. Football" honors following senior campaign…Lettered in basketball…Last name is pronounced BO-den.
