KFBCA Top 11: Tyler Bowden

The Kansas Football Coaches Association picked their All-State teams December 6th and 7th, including their Top 11. Kansas Pregame is providing capsules for each of the Top 11 selections. Check out Tonganoxie running back Tyler Bowden's capsule below and check back for more capsules throughout the week.

Tyler Bowden,  RB, 5-7, 170, Tonganoxie, Sr.

If you haven’t had the privilege of watching Tonganoxie’s Tyler Bowden play, do yourself a favor and treat yourself to his highlights at the end of this article. The electric back absolutely punished defenses when the ball was in his hands…and the ball was in his hands a lot.

During his senior campaign, Bowden ran, plowed and maneuvered his way to an astounding 2,583 rushing yards and 37 rushing touchdowns for the Chieftains, both single season school records. He averaged an incredible 234.8 yards per game on the ground and 8.8 yards per carry on 294 totes. 

Bowden rarely went down quietly. He mixed his sub 4.5 40 speed and agility with a running style best described as relentless.

“Our rushing record has been broken every year for the last four years,” noted Tongie coach Al Troyer. “I don't know, though, this one may be hard to beat. He has intangibles you can’t coach. He’s quick and he cuts on a dime. One move and he’s gone.”

Bowden’s success with the Chieftains came after transferring from Lawrence Free State prior to his senior season due to concerns with COVID-19 and remote learning. He put up considerable numbers in his time with the Free State, rushing for 2,781 career yards and picked up the school rushing record for the Firebirds with 1,859 yards in his junior season.

Bowden’s performance this season helped lead his team to a 10-2 record and a deep playoff run before being ousted by perennial power Bishop Miege.

Those efforts earned him a treasure chest of postseason honors including appearances on virtually every all-state and all-area team he was eligible for and the KFBCA Top 11. 

Additionally, he took home the Frank Fontana Award as the best small-class high school player in the Kansas City area. His teammate at Tonganoxie, senior linebacker, and fellow transfer (KC Piper), Branden Martin, sweetened the award ceremony by bringing home the Bobby Bell Award, given annually to the best small-class front seven player in the KC area.

Bowden also stands out on the track where his current personal bests are 10.89 in the 100 meter dash, 22.28 in the 200, and 50.03 in the 400. His 100 and 200 times are both third best at Free State since at least 2003, according to Athletic.net.

Academically, Bowden maintains a 3.7 GPA, and recently announced plans to continue his academic and football career at Washburn University.

“He’s been a great asset for us not only on the field, but he fit the program perfectly as well,” Troyer said. “He’s got character. Washburn has a great young man joining their program.”

The KFBCA Top 11* and All-State selections consist of seniors from the Class of 2021 nominated and voted on by members of the Kansas Football Coaches Association. For more info about the KFBCA find them online at www.kfbca.com. 

*There are actually 12 Top 11 selections this year because of a tie in voting.