Yiannis Bowden

Height:
6-5
Weight:
221
Class:
Sophomore
Hometown:
Kernersville
High School:
Glenn
Major:
University Studies

Closed spring drills as a member of the depth chart at one of the defensive end slots in ECU’s new-look 4-2-5 scheme … Has played in 22 career contests with 10 starts, logged 61 tackles (33 solo), 11.0 TFLs, 3.5 sacks, eight quarterback pressures and a pair of interceptions … Recorded at least one tackle in 19 outings (two or more 12 times) … Posted a trio of stops during the second spring scrimmage on April 7 before tallying two tackles during the Purple-Gold Game (April 22).

2016: Continued rise up defensive two-deep with part-time starting role as a sophomore … Played in 11 games (did not experience action in regular season finale at Temple) and made seven starts … Collected 42 tackles (25 solo) and was team’s co-leader with 7.5 hits behind the line of scrimmage (-19 yards) … Thirty-seven (37) of 42 hits came on rushing plays … Credited with at least one stop in 10 contests and recorded multiple tackles on six occasions … Also contributed a forced fumble (USF), an interception (5-yard return vs. UCF) and was among unit’s leaders with two quarterback hurries (both against Western Carolina) … Established a career-best with 12 tackles (7 solo) in AAC clash against SMU at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium … Other notable efforts came vs. Cincinnati (8), Western Carolina (5), NC State (5), Virginia Tech (5) and USF (3) … Averaged 4.6 stops per game in last five contests played … Responsible for a combined 5.5 tackles for lost yardage (-10) in first five outings of season – 2.0 vs. Catamounts, 1.5 vs. Wolfpack, 1.0 vs. Hokies, 1.0 vs. Knights … Also racked up -9 yards on a pair of TFLs vs. Mustangs later in campaign … Added single tallies in battles against UCF, Connecticut, Tulsa and Navy … Was not credited with any defensive statistics at South Carolina.

2015: Experienced action in 11 contests and made three starts (BYU, Tulsa, Temple) during first season on Pirates’ active roster as a redshirt freshman … Credited with 19 tackles (eight solo) … Stood second on unit with 3.5 sacks, tallying all quarterback drops in successive games vs. SMU (2.5 for -29 yards) and BYU (1.0 for -11 yards) in early October … Produced two or more stops on six occasions, which included season-best four-tackle totals in road tilts against Mustangs and Cougars … Had at least one tackle in nine outings … Booked two hits each vs. Virginia Tech, Tulsa, Temple and USF, while recording single tackles against Towson (collegiate debut), Connecticut and Cincinnati … Also notched a fumble recovery (USF) and batted pass (Tulsa) … Recorded interception (seven-yard return) and scored first touchdown on blocked punt (Tre Hicks) recovery in endzone after making initial career start against BYU in Provo, Utah … Was second on team with six quarterback pressures – three coming against Golden Hurricane during ECU’s 30-17 win at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium … Nine tackles came on rushes, nine on passing plays and one on special teams (kickoff return unit) … Did not play at UCF and was not credited with any statistics in contests vs. Florida and Navy … Earned team’s “Most Improved Defensive Player” award at conclusion of season.

2014: Redshirted during true freshman season … Made valuable contributions to the defensive scout squad, earning praise from offensive coaches during weekly opponent preparation work … Signed with the Pirates in February.

High School: A three-star recruit according to ESPN.com who committed to the Pirate program prior to the start of the 2013 season on Aug. 22 … Ranked as the No. 24 overall prospect in the state of North Carolina with a national grade of 75 (ESPN.com) … A two-year all-conference performer for coach Aldine Payne at Glenn High School … Earned three football letters and served as the Bobcats’ team captain as a senior … Split time at both defensive end and outside linebacker in 2013 … Selected as a game MVP after leading GHS to a 42-0 victory over Winston-Salem Parkland in the ’13 season opener … Also earned additional letters in basketball and track (hurdles).

Personal: Full name is Yiannis A.C. Bowden … Born at High Point, N.C. … Son of Boysie Bowden … A university studies major … Listed membership in the American Athletic Conference and facilities as several reasons for choosing to sign with the Pirates.