Jonathan Alder’s JD Bowman goes up for an interception during a 2023 game. Bowman will continue his gridiron career at Defiance College.
(Journal-Tribune photo by Aleksei Pavloff)
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Jonathan Alder High School senior JD Bowman has decided where he will continue his academic and football careers.
Bowman will play on the gridiron at Defiance College.
“I chose Defiance College because it just felt more like home,” said Bowman. “It is also not too small, but not too big either.”
Bowman played in the defensive secondary for the Pioneers.
During his senior campaign of 2023, he finished with 61 total tackles.
Of that number, 24 were solo tackles and he assisted on 37.
Bowman also notched 2.5 tackles for losses and intercepted a pair of passes.
His junior season produced 43 tackles (12 solo and 31 assists).
The Pioneers finished with an overall record of 7-4.
Their 3-2 mark in the Central Buckeye Conference was good for third place (behind London and Bellefontaine) in the circuit’s Kenton Trail Division.
Bowman selected Defiance College after also considering Capital University, Wittenberg University, Ohio Wesleyan University, Kent State, Tiffin and Ohio Dominican.
The Jonathan Alder senior has thought about playing football on the collegiate level for quite some time.
“Ever since I can remember I always wanted to be a collegiate athlete,” said Bowman. “It all started when I would watch college sports. That’s when it truly became a dream of mine to play at the next level.
“My expectations are pretty high because I want to prepare myself to be ready for what is ahead of me,” he said. “I want to excel at the next level and be ready when my name gets called.”
Bowman also has his eyes set on success in the classroom.
“I want to graduate college with a degree in zoology,” he said. “I want to join a conservation group or become a marine biologist.”
Bowman feels he will bring a lot of solid factors to the table as both a student and athlete at Defiance.
“ I’ve always been fascinated with animals ever since I was little,” he said. “I’ve learned a lot about them.
“I also have a very strong work ethic when it comes to anything I do,” he said. “I love to compete and that drive allows me to turn anything I do into a competition, which makes me work even harder.”