MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Five years after wrapping up a decorated career at Martinsburg High School which included multiple state championships and statewide accolades, Jarod Bowie is headed home. Bowie verbally committed to play at West Virginia University on December 23 and he has been busy packing up in Alabama for the move to Morgantown.
“I just can’t wait for it to start up. If it could start tomorrow, I would be there tomorrow to get this thing rolling,” Bowie said.
“It is amazing. It is a dream come true to go up there and play for my hometown. I can’t wait and I am ready to put on a show.”
Bowie capped a stellar high school tenure in 2019 while leading the Bulldogs to the Class AAA state championship with a 14-0 record. He was named the MetroNews Player of the Year during a season where he racked up 1,078 receiving yards and 18 touchdowns. Bowie was a part of four state championship squads at MHS.
After starting his college career at Division II Concord University, Bowie transferred up to the Division I level to play for Rodriguez at Jacksonville State in 2023. Over two seasons at JSU, Bowie played in 17 games.
“It is very fun to play for him. He’s a very smart coach. He is very organized with all the things that he does. He doesn’t play any games. He is all about the hard edge to earn success. I learned that from him and it will get you far in life.
“I learned so much playing for him. I told him that before he left, that he is a great coach and I would love to come home to play for him. He’s an amazing guy.”
This past fall, Bowie caught 13 passes for 209 yards while playing in all 14 games for the Conference USA Champions. Rodriguez was officially introduced as WVU’s head coach on December 13, one week prior to JSU’s Cure Bowl game against Ohio. In his final game at Jacksonville State, Bowie reeled in four passes for 107 yards.
“I just got a shot and we threw the ball a good bit that game.”
Bowie signed with Concord University and played three seasons (2020-2022) for his former high school coach Dave Walker.
“That was awesome. I came in very comfortable. I knew the offense already.
“[Walker] loves me to death. I love him to death and trusted him. We did what we did, the same thing we did in high school.”
CU was limited to playing just one game in the COVID season of 2020-2021. A year later, Bowie started four games before his season has cut short by injury. In those four games, Bowie reeled in 28 passes for 427 yards and a touchdown.
“It was a little period in my life where I was at rock bottom right there. You’ve just got to keep doing everything and not give up. You have to stay focused, do your job and never give up.”
In 2022, Bowie established himself as one of the nation’s elite receivers. He was named a finalist for the Harlon Hill Trophy, which is presented to the Division II National Player of the Year. Bowie was named the Mountain East Conference Offensive Player of the Year. He hauled in 102 receptions for 1,773 yards and 18 touchdowns.
Fellow Martinsburg High School graduate Jacob Barrick will make the move with Bowie from Jacksonville State to Morgantown. Barrick played three seasons at JSU as a tight end.
“That boy is a beast. He gets the job done. He takes care of the people he has to block at the line. He’s going to catch the ball.
“We get along real well. He was my roommate when I first moved down here. We’re boys and we go way back. We’re coming in to work.”
Spring semester classes begin on January 13 at WVU and Bowie is welcoming the opportunity to play college football in his home state and at the highest level.
“I feel like I should have been there from the beginning. I am ready to prove it.”