Cornerback Devin Bowman in this file photo.PATH TO PLAYING TIMEFormer Ridgeland High standout Devin Bowman could see sooner-than-expected playing time in Georgia’s secondary after a turbulent three months:Jan. 7 — Cornerback Jordan Love transfers and later signs with Towson.Jan. 21 — Starting cornerback Sanders Commings is arrested for domestic violence/simple battery. Commings later gets suspended for two games.Feb. 3 — Cornerbacks Nick Marshall and Chris Sanders are dismissed from the program.March 11 — Projected starting cornerback Branden Smith is arrested for marijuana possession in South Alabama on the way to spring break. His punishment has not been announced.March 28 — Starting safety Bacarri Rambo reportedly fails a drug test following spring break and, according to his high school coach, will be suspended four games.
As the Georgia Bulldogs went through bowl preparations this past December, redshirting freshman cornerback Devin Bowman looked to the 2012 season and figured his best chance for playing time would be returning punts.
A lot has changed.
Since Georgia’s triple-overtime loss to Michigan State in Tampa, three defensive backs have left the program and three others have been suspended. The former Ridgeland High School standout has worked this spring as the second-team boundary corner behind senior Sanders Commings, who has been suspended for opening games against Buffalo and Missouri.
“This is a big step for me, and I feel like this is my chance to show the world that I can play,” Bowman said. “I want to show my coaches, myself, my mom — just everybody. I think it’s time for me to play.”