NOTE: Kansas State has elected to advance players’ classification even though the 2020 season did not affect eligibility. Those who wish to take advantage of this extra year will be listed as a (“super”) senior again after their original eligibility would have been exhausted.

Goal No. 16: RESPONSIBILITY. You are responsible for your own performance.

#16 Derek Bowman

Redshirt Junior | 6-1 | 210 lbs. | Manhattan, Kansas

Courtesy Kansas State Athletics

• Position: Linebacker
• Previous College: None
• Projection: Scout Team
• Status: Preferred Walk-On

Derek Andrew Bowman (b. May 28, 1998) is a homeschooled preferred walk-on defensive back-turned-linebacker from Manhattan.

Bowman, who is majoring in kinesiology, redshirted in 2018 and saw action as a reserve defensive back against Bowling Green in 2019, but he did not see any game action in 2021.

He played “high school” ball for the Manhattan Eagles, a team composed of homeschooled players from the Manhattan area, and helped the Eagles to earn a 10-2 record and a state runner-up finish as a junior in 2015.

Bowman also earned first-team All-Kansas Christian Athletic Association (KCAA) honors as a defensive back on three occasions, while he was a first-team honoree at running back as a junior and senior after earning second-team accolades as a sophomore.

He totaled 5,404 rushing yards and 118 total touchdowns in his career, plus 17 interceptions, and also lettered in basketball, earning first-team All-KCAA accolades as a senior.

Bowman’s mother, Traci, also attended K-State.