When the Las Vegas Raiders selected Brock Bowers as the 13th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, expectations were high for the Georgia tight end. But few could have predicted just how quickly he would take the league by storm. By the end of his rookie season, Bowers not only smashed records but earned a coveted spot on the Associated Press 2024 NFL All-Pro First Team.
Here’s a look at what makes him a truly one-of-a-kind player.
6. Nicknamed “Superman” For His Remarkable Comebacks
Bowers earned the nickname ‘Superman’ during his time at Georgia for his incredible ability to bounce back from injuries and deliver in key moments. After undergoing tightrope ankle surgery during his junior year, he missed only three games, defying expectations of a six-week recovery.
His determination and commitment to the game were clear when he decided to play through the pain, ignoring the advice to sit out. That choice only strengthened his reputation as a team-first player and a future NFL star.
5. A Decision To Challenge Himself
Choosing to leave California for Georgia wasn’t a common path, but Bowers wanted to compete at the highest level. He was drawn to the intensity of SEC football, calling it a “religion” in the South. His decision paid off, as he thrived under head coach Kirby Smart and tight ends coach Todd Hartley, who played crucial roles in his development.
Bowers’ college career began with a bang as he led the Bulldogs in receiving in his debut game against Clemson. Over three years, he accumulated 2,538 receiving yards and 26 receiving touchdowns, earning his place among the elite in college football.
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4. Versatility And Grit In High School
Bowers’ versatility on the field was evident during his time at Napa High School. As a freshman, he played quarterback in a triple-option offense before transitioning to tight end, linebacker, and even kick returner. In his junior year, he achieved 1,499 all-purpose yards and set a school record with 14 touchdown receptions.
Despite missing his senior season due to COVID-19 restrictions, Bowers didn’t let adversity slow him down. He stayed in shape by running the hills of Napa and maintained his status as a top recruit. His work ethic and determination earned him a spot at Georgia, where he became an instant impact player.
3. An Athletic Family Background
Brock Bowers’ athletic skills are no accident. He comes from a family deeply rooted in sports. His parents met at Utah State University, where his father, Warren, was a two-time All-Conference offensive lineman, and his mother, DeAnna, was an All-American softball player. DeAnna’s spectacular college career earned her a spot in the Utah State Hall of Fame, and she later became a math teacher and softball coach.
Brock’s sister, Brianna, continued the family’s sports tradition by playing softball at Sacramento State. Growing up in Napa, California, Brock enhanced his competitiveness by playing multiple sports, including basketball, baseball, and soccer, before focusing on football.
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2. Dominance In College Football
Before the NFL, Bowers was a force to be reckoned with at the University of Georgia. As a three-time All-American and two-time John Mackey Award winner, he cemented his legacy as one of the greatest tight ends in college football history. Brock Bowers helped Georgia win back-to-back national championships in 2021 and 2022 and led the Bulldogs in receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns in each of his three seasons.
His sophomore year saw him amass 942 receiving yards, 109 rushing yards, and 10 total touchdowns, earning him the title of the nation’s best tight end. Even during an injury-shortened junior season, Bowers managed to post 714 receiving yards and six touchdowns, showing his impact on the field.
1. Historic Rookie Campaign
Bowers’ rookie season was nothing short of historic. He ranked third in the NFL in receptions (112), eighth in receiving yards (1,194), and fourth in yards after the catch (596), leading all tight ends in every category. These performances earned him 2024 All-Pro First Team honors, an award achieved by only three other rookie tight ends in NFL history, the last being Jeremy Shockey in 2002.
In addition to becoming the first rookie in Raiders franchise history to be named to the All-Pro First Team, Brock Bowers set NFL rookie records for receptions in a season (112) and receiving yards by a tight end (1,194). He also surpassed the Raiders’ franchise record for receptions in a single season, previously held by Darren Waller with 107 catches.
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