Mark Bowman: The Next Brock Bowers or a Star in His Own Right at USC?
Brock Bowers has long been considered one of the best college football tight ends in the past decade. His legacy includes over 2,500 receiving yards, a pivotal role in Georgia’s back-to-back national championships, and a collection of top honors like the John Mackey Award, First Team All-American, and SEC Freshman of the Year. But in the 2026 recruiting class, a new name has emerged with similar potential—five-star tight end Mark Bowman.
FONG BOMB: On3’s @SWiltfong_ has logged an expert prediction for USC to land 5-star TE Mark Bowman✌️
Bowman is the No. 1 TE in the 2026 class.
Read: https://t.co/z6iPyP3B05 pic.twitter.com/lUHVToIQww
— On3 Recruits (@On3Recruits) May 30, 2025
At 6’4” and 230 pounds, Bowman hails from Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana, California, a renowned powerhouse for football talent. Regarded as the top-ranked tight end in the country, Bowman has drawn national attention, racking up over 35 scholarship offers. Among the most aggressive suitors have been Oregon and Texas. The Longhorns made a strong impression during Bowman’s March visit, where he praised the coaching staff and the way tight ends are used in their offensive schemes.
Bowman expressed how much he enjoyed his time in Austin, noting the professionalism of the staff and the valuable insights he gained from watching practice. Similarly, Oregon has been seen as a front-runner. According to recruiting expert Chad Simmons, the Ducks held a slight advantage heading into spring.
However, a new development has changed the landscape of Bowman’s recruitment.
A recent report by On3’s Steve Wiltfong reveals that USC has now become the front-runner for Bowman’s commitment. Multiple factors are contributing to this shift—proximity to home, the school’s appeal, alumni influence, NIL opportunities, and the promising trajectory of Lincoln Riley’s program. USC is now viewed as the favorite to land the coveted tight end.
Historically, Riley’s recruiting focus had drifted away from California. In the 2023 class, 45% of his signees were in-state prospects. That number dropped to 32% in 2024 and just 24% in 2025. This decline raised concerns and prompted a strategic change. For 2026, Riley has already secured 26 commits with a remarkable 62% being California-based—a sign of renewed focus on local talent.
Given Bowman’s California roots—he lives just 27 miles from USC—it will be tough for other programs to lure him away from home. His performances back up the hype. Last year, he recorded 32 catches for 435 yards, earning a spot on the MaxPreps All-America Second Team and playing a vital role in Mater Dei’s national championship-winning season.
When discussing USC, Bowman was enthusiastic. He acknowledged how much the program has changed in the past year, especially in terms of how intensely they’ve been recruiting him. He noted that USC now contacts him daily and praised the staff’s energy and consistency.
USC’s 2026 recruiting class is stacked with talent. Blue-chip prospects make up 62% of the class, including names like the 3rd-ranked cornerback Elbert Hill and 5th-ranked offensive tackle Keenyi Pepe. With National Signing Day still months away, this group is expected to become even more impressive.
As Mark Bowman’s recruitment unfolds, one question remains: Will he follow in the footsteps of Brock Bowers, or will he carve out a unique legacy of his own at USC?