Bowers bursts onto o-line scene

To succeed, one must often take advantage of a breakthrough opportunity.

With that opportunity, a first impression means everything.

For Cole Bowers, a chance to take reps with the first team offensive line was just what he needed to make his perfect first impression.

Throughout the West Virginia football team's fall camp, Mountaineer offensive line coach Dave Johnson and head coach Bill Stewart gave Bowers the chance to become a starting linemen.

He worked with the first team at right tackle but also saw time at right guard.

"(Johnson) told me I might get worked in with the (first team offense) a little bit this season, and it kind of just turned out that way," Bowers said.

How has the redshirt freshman done thus far?

"He has had a really good camp," Johnson said. "He is so athletic for how big he is. He is learning, and he is playing physical."

Standing at 6-foot-5 and weighing 289 pounds, Bowers has the build to be a quality lineman.

But the road to opportunity hasn't been easy for the Ona, W.Va., native.

Bowers had a difficult decision when making his choice of colleges. WVU, Virginia and Marshall had all given him offers, and he was also contacted by such prolific schools as Purdue, Tennessee, Penn State and Florida.

His uncle, Rob Bowers, was a lineman for the Thundering Herd in the early 1980s, while his cousin, Chris Bowers, is currently a lineman for Marshall.

However, Bowers spurned the family ties and made the decision to head north to Morgantown.

His time at WVU has not been quite what the former 43rd-ranked offensive tackle in the nation expected. Bowers had to have surgery to repair a torn right labrum, which he injured during last year's fall camp.

Bowers was found to have a series of 10 shoulder subluxations, which is an instability or partial dislocation of the shoulder.

Bowers said he was advised to get the surgery done right away, sidelining him for his entire freshman campaign.

"It was hard," Bowers said. "It's just one of those things where you sit back and watch everybody.

"You're stuck in a standstill, but getting through it is a good feeling."

Bowers credits strength and conditioning coach Mike Joseph for making the rehabilitation process a little bit easier.

"I recovered from that after six months," Bowers said, "I gained about 10 pounds lifting with Mike Joseph. It was a good offseason."

The hard work and strong attitude Bowers has put in this fall camp has been noticed by his coaches.

Stewart said Bowers did well throughout camp, particularly when working with the first team. The third-year head coach has been critical of his offensive line and says "it's time" for Cole Bowers to step in and prove himself.

Johnson said he puts Bowers on the spot in certain situations because he wants to know if the sophomore is up for the challenge.

Bowers got his first serious taste of first team practice Aug. 10.

"We just wanted to test him and see if he could handle the pressure of working with the (first team offense) and handle the communication," Johnson said. "We tested him today and he did a nice job."

Whether Bowers is able to crack the opening day starting lineup still remains to be seen, but the heavy competition among the linemen has given him a chance to shine in camp.