Brock Bowers

Bowers was a highly sought after prospect, deemed a 4 star recruit and the 3rd ranked tight end of his class, although some programs such as Notre Dame would recruit him as a linebacker.[11][9] Despite being from the west coast, Bowers wanted to play college football in the south, due to the regions passion for football, later stating “It is a little different (in the South) — people just care a lot more about football, it’s like a religion out here."[3][9] He ultimately committed to play college football at the University of Georgia under Kirby Smart, citing his relationship with the teams tight ends coach Todd Hartley and a desire to play as a freshman as additional factors in his commitment.[12][13][1]

An early enrollee, Bowers arrived at Georgia in January 2021.[14] As a true freshman he was originally set to share playing time with fellow tights ends Darnell Washington, and Arik Gilbert, however prior to the season Washington broke his foot and Gilbert stepped away from the team due to personal reasons, resulting in Bowers becoming the teams primary option at tight end.[1] In his first career game, Bowers led the Bulldogs in receiving with six receptions for 43 yards in a 10-3 win over Clemson.[15][16] The following week against UAB, he caught his first two touchdowns, including a career long 89 yarder, and recorded his first 100-yard performance in a 56-7 win.[17] Two weeks later against Vanderbilt, Bowers caught two touchdowns and rushed for another en route to a blowout victory.[18] On October 16, he had another 100 yard performance, catching 5 passes for 101 yards and two touchdowns in a 30-13 defeat of Kentucky.[19] Bowers would have additional multi touchdown performances against Charleston Southern and rival Georgia Tech.[20] In the SEC Championship Game against Alabama, Bowers caught 10 passes for a then career-high 139 yards and a touchdown in the Bulldogs 41-24 loss, their first of the season.[21] Despite the loss to Alabama, Georgia qualified for the College Football Playoff as the #3 seed.[22] In the Orange Bowl semifinal against Michigan, Bowers would have 5 receptions for 55 yards and a touchdown in a 34-11 win, sending Georgia to the national championship game.[23][24] In the championship game, Georgia faced off against Alabama, who had handed the Bulldogs their lone loss of the season a month prior.[24] Bowers caught four passes in the game, including a crucial touchdown with just over 3 minutes left in the game to extend the Bulldogs lead to 8 points.[25] Georgia defeated Alabama 33-18, capturing their first national championship since 1980.[25]

At the conclusion of his freshman season, Bowers was named SEC Freshman of the Year and was included on the All-SEC first team and All-American second team.[26][27] He finished the season as Georgia's leading receiver with 56 receptions for 882 yards and a program record 13 receiving touchdowns.[28][29] He also had 56 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown.[29]