In a major recruiting victory for James Franklin and the Penn State Nittany Lions, the nation’s No. 1 ranked tight end, Mark Bowman, has officially announced his commitment to Penn State, choosing the Nittany Lions over powerhouse programs Georgia, Notre Dame, and Tennessee.
Bowman, a 6’6”, 245-pound pass-catching force out of Buford, Georgia, made his announcement on social media with a simple but powerful message: “Home is where development, culture, and belief align. I’m all in—We Are!”
His decision ends one of the most hotly contested recruiting battles of the 2025 cycle. Bowman had been courted relentlessly by some of college football’s premier programs. Georgia, the home-state favorite, pushed hard to keep him in the SEC. Notre Dame, known for producing elite tight ends, pitched its longstanding tight end tradition. And Tennessee made a late surge with a strong NIL package and compelling offensive pitch.
But in the end, it was Penn State’s vision for Bowman’s role in their evolving offense—and their strong track record at the tight end position—that sealed the deal.
“Coach Franklin and Coach Howle didn’t just talk about development—they showed me,” Bowman said. “They’ve developed guys like Pat Freiermuth and Mike Gesicki, and they have a plan to make me a central piece of their offense from day one.”
Bowman, who is ranked as a consensus five-star prospect by major recruiting services, brings a rare blend of size, speed, and versatility. He’s known for his ability to stretch the field, dominate in the red zone, and serve as a physical blocker in the run game. His commitment gives Penn State arguably their most complete tight end prospect in over a decade.
What makes the win even more significant is who Penn State beat out. Georgia was long believed to be the front-runner, and Notre Dame’s recent run of first-round NFL tight ends made them a constant threat. However, Penn State’s persistence, strong offensive plan, and commitment to player development ultimately won Bowman and his family over.
Recruiting analysts believe this commitment could have a ripple effect. “This is a tone-setting pickup,” said 247Sports analyst Steve Wiltfong. “Bowman is the kind of elite prospect that other top recruits want to play alongside. This could open the door for more big-time commitments to Penn State.”
For the Nittany Lions, it’s another massive step forward in their pursuit of national relevance. After several strong recruiting classes and continued on-field progress, Penn State is positioning itself not just to compete in the Big Ten, but to challenge for a national title.
As for Bowman, he’s ready to get to work.
“I want to be the best tight end in college football and leave a legacy at Penn State,” he said. “Now it’s time to prove it on the field.”
With Bowman’s commitment, Penn State fans have every reason to be excited about the future of their offense—and their chances in the national spotlight.
