Manny Bowen understands why people would worry about Utah’s ability to replace the production and playmaking of linebackers Chase Hansen and Cody Barton. After all, the way those guys made so many tackles persuaded Bowen to become a Ute.
As a graduate transfer from Penn State, where he was suspended or dismissed multiple times, Bowen is Utah coach Kyle Whittingham’s latest reclamation project. The most recent high-profile case turned out well, with former Oregon receiver Darren Carrington II catching 70 passes in 2017. Ex-BYU linebacker Francis Bernard also has blended in with the Utes, and is projected to start alongside Bowen in 2019.