While who will be under center for the Notre Dame football team this fall is the number one question in South Bend, another question is getting plenty of attention heading closer to fall camp. What will the Fighting Irish defense look like under new coordinator Chris Ash. And as an aside, a question about who will be the real leaders of the new D is also a big one. Drayk Bowen is the answer to that last one.
Ash sat down with several local media personalities earlier this week to discuss his plans for his unit. He also addressed how he wants Bowen to step out of his comfort zone and become the “Alpha Dog” in the locker room.
Drayk Bowen tapped by Chris Ash to become the alpha dog and vocal leader of Notre Dame’s 2025 defense
“Well, he’s just trying to still get comfortable in that role because that’s really not what he has done,” Ash said about the Notre Dame football linebacker. “But that’s what we need him to do. And he’s still kind of figuring that part of it out. But definitely being a leader by example, and he’s finding his opportunities to be more vocal when he needs to be.”
The Irish DC also laid out exactly how he sees Bowen as a leader. While he might not be all that vocal yet, the defender is more of a lead-by-example guy.
“He’s just trying to be a pro and do his job… He’s one of those guys that is constantly studying the game. He takes great notes. He comes prepared every single day.”
Ash added that the linebacker knows how to be more vocal when that’s what the situation calls for.
“He’s one of the guys that’s not afraid to speak up when someone needs to speak up. And when he goes out there on the practice field, he’s going to try to play with great effort, fundamentals, and try to execute his job every single rep.”
Drayk Bowen has grown into this role over the last year and a half. The Notre Dame football team lost many of its leaders to graduation and the draft. It’s time for the next generation to step up.