2008 Woodie Awards
Transfer from BYU sparks BC
Jacob Bower, a transfer from Brigham Young University, feels comfortable playing at No. 1 ranked BC.
Leanne Cave
Issue date: 9/26/07 Section: Sports
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There are several reasons Bower decided to come to Bakersfield to play for the Renegades, but the deciding factor is that he has family close by.
"I was directed by some very good coaches to look at junior colleges in the Southern California area, and there are some really good ones - basically I thought BC was the best fit for me. I really like the Bakersfield area and Coach (Carl) Dean's coaching philosophy," Bower said.
"My brother Greg lives in Porterville, so I have family just up the road," said Bower.
Bower, 22, a transfer from Brigham Young University, grew up on a farm in Boise, Idaho. He prepped at Mountain View High School before attending BYU. He is the youngest of six boys and comes from a very athletic family.
"My dad played football and ran track for BYU," Bower said. "Two of my brothers played basketball for Division I schools, one played for BYU and the other for the University of Wisconsin. I could have played basketball on a scholarship from high school, but I chose to play football for BYU."
The 6-foot-4, 235-pound freshman quarterback said that playing for BC is very comparable to playing for a Division I school like BYU.
"The lifting program at BYU was different with four or five coaches and a full-time lifting system," he said, "but we condition harder at BC with running and workout drills."
While at BYU, Bower's mentor was first-string quarterback John Beck. Beck was the second-round draft pick of the Miami Dolphins.
"I saw all the things that he did to be successful and I learned a lot from him. I have talked to him since he was drafted and he might get the start for the Dolphins," Bower said.
Bower, his coaches, teammates and family have mutual respect and support for one another.
"My family drives from Idaho every week to watch me play. They are die-hards," he said. "My brother lives close by, so they stay with him."
Bower has impressed teammates and coaches because he is a student of the game and works hard to prepare for opposing defenses by watching hours of game film.
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