Oregon Ducks To Land 5-Star Recruit Mark Bowman Over Texas, USC, Georgia?

The Oregon Ducks are currently locked in a battle for the No. 1 recruiting class of 2026 with the USC Trojans, and it looks like the two programs will also be battling over the No. 2 tight end in the class. California product and No. 14 athlete in the class of 2026 Mark Bowman, recently moved up his class distinction from 2027 to 2026, as well as announced his official visit plans.

Ranked a five-star recruit by the 247Sports composite, Bowman shared that he'll be visiting Texas on June 6, Georgia on June 13, USC on June 17, and ending his cross-country tour with Oregon on June 20. The recruit currently has 32 offers from across the country.

“We are planning to schedule three more," Bowman told On3 Sports. "I am trying to take some visits to Florida, Ohio State, Miami, and Tennessee before deciding on the other three visits. Alabama is another school on my list too.”

#SidelineSightings
Ohio State @ Oregon

‘27 Mater Dei TE Mark Bowman

Can do everything you need a TE to do he can block, is a really good route runner, and also does well after the catch.. I think he made a position switch to TE, and has clearly done a great job of picking it… pic.twitter.com/e3qcM31keu
— Just Chilly (@JUSTCHILLY) October 14, 2024

According to On3's reporting, Bowman is looking to make a decision on his recruitment closer to Early National Signing Day in December. When asked what he's looking for in a future team, Bowman explained that allowing tight ends to get vertical on the field and finding a culture that fit his goals is paramount.

“The brotherhood is big for me too. I want to play at a place where the coaches and the players are like-minded with the same goals," Bowman told On3.

Bowman also discussed why Oregon stands out to him as a potential home for his college career.

“The way they utilize their tight ends. I think I would fit into that offense good,” Bowman said to On3. “I really like the coaching staff. I feel like they’re not going anywhere, they’re pretty transparent with me. They’re truthful. And I just kind of like the vibe up there. I kind of get a family feeling and a bunch of my teammates go there.”

BREAKING: Elite 2027 TE Mark Bowman will reclassify to 2026, he tells me for @on3recruits

The 6’4 228 TE from Huntington Beach, CA was ranked as the No. 5 Player in ‘27 (No. 1 TE) per On3

Bowman is down to these 12 Schoolshttps://t.co/AMo8BpqVnc pic.twitter.com/noCfHY9GLZ
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) January 25, 2025

It's an interesting detail that Bowman has his offers from USC, Alabama, Tennessee, and Georgia posted on his main page on Instagram, with Oregon's offer being posted through his Instagram stories with the caption "#4" signifying his fourth college offer. Oregon's offer did not receive a main page post from Bowman.

Bowman brings a lot of talent to the table for the Ducks. In 2024, Bowman was a MaxPreps All-America second-team selection, which was his second time receiving a MaxPreps All-America honors. During his 2024 season, Bowman helped the Mater Dei Monarchs to a No. 1 national ranking and a MaxPreps National Championship. At 6-4, 225, Bowman also brings sought after size to a tight end corps.

"He's a legitimate top 10 prospect nationally and has been drawing a lot of Brock Bowers comparisons all off-season," said 247Sports National Recruiting Analyst Greg Biggins in a scouting report in August of 2024. "That's a lofty player comp for a player many consider one of the best college tight ends of the last 25 years but it looks warranted when you see Bowman in action. At 6-4, 220 pounds, he moves around like a slot receiver with a ton of twitch and change of direction. He has great hands and shows the ability to make plays down the field and runs really well after the catch."