Georgia's Coaches Explain What Makes Brock Bowers Special
After posting back-to-back All-American seasons, winning two national titles, and winning a Mackey Award in 2022 all within his first two collegiate seasons, Georgia tight end Brock Bowers has already established himself as one of the all-time great college football tight ends. In fact, with another year of elite production, Bowers will put himself firmly in the conversation to be recognized as the greatest tight end in college football history.
With a resume that loaded with accolades and accomplishments, it is clear that Bowers is a special player, but according to Georgia Tight Ends Coach Todd Hartley, the spectacular on-field production is simply a byproduct of the elite traits that characterize every aspect of the Georgia tight end's life.
“I know he’s such a special kid. I’m not trying to be broad there. Here’s what I mean by that, any box you create, he checks it. Just from a kid standpoint. The kid is the hardest worker I’ve ever met. He’ll be the first one to breakfast. He’ll be the first one in the training room to get his ankles taped. He’ll be the first one in the meeting room. He’ll be the last one to leave the field. If we do a 10-yard sprint, he’ll be the first one to win the 10-yard sprint. If we do a 30-yard sprint, he’ll be the first one to win the 30-yard sprint. You get the point I’m making. That is what makes him special."
Mike Bobo has not worked with Bowers for as long or as closely as Hartley has, but Georgia's new Offensive Coordinator echoed Hartley's sentiments regarding Bowers' work ethic.
"As far as getting the best out of Brock Bowers, you’re going to get the best out of Brock Bowers every single day," said Bobo. He is not a guy that needs to be motivated. He is locked in every meeting, every walk through. I had the good fortune of being able to sit in the tight end room last year and be able to see how he’s a guy that when Coach Hartley would mention it one time, he got it. He did not need a lot of reps."
Georgia Offensive Coordinator Mike Bobo spoke glowingly of tight end Brock Bowers during his first press conference in his second stint at Georgia.
Bowers' work ethic has so impressed those within the Georgia program to the point that Bobo sees parallels between him and another one of Georgia's legendary workers.
"He’s extremely smart, and he’s very humble," Bobo said of Bowers. "He reminds me a lot of a guy like Nick Chubb when I was here before that just went and worked every single day. He tried to get better no matter what he had done the day before, the game before, the year before. He was constantly trying to improve his craft. He’s a joy to coach, and I’m glad he’s a Georgia Bulldog.”
While Bowers is tremendously talented and approaches his craft with a fierce work ethic, Hartley explains that it is his supreme competitive drive that elevates the Napa, California native above those with comparable physical abilities.
"Yeah he’s talented. He’s extremely talented," Hartley said. "He can run, he can jump, he can catch, he’s tough. What makes him special to me is his competitiveness. He is the ultimate competitor. The kid doesn’t want to lose at anything. And to be honest with you, I need to see Oscar Delp get reps. I need to see Lawson Luckie and Pearce Spurlin get reps. And when I take him off and limit some of his reps, he gets pissed off. He’s pissed off. He says ‘well what did I do wrong?’ Nothing, buddy. Just stand right here. It’s okay. You know what, you should want it that way. Kids should be pissed off when they don’t get their reps. That tells you he wants to be great. I’m just thankful for the opportunity that I get to coach him. He’s such a great kid.”
Bowers has achieved legendary status within the Georgia fan base due to his remarkable exploits on fall Saturdays, but according to those that have a front row seat to the intense work he puts in behind the scenes, it is his extraordinary intangibles that are the driving force behind his dominance on the field.
