Brock Bowers Reveals the Surprising School He Almost Chose Instead of Georgia Before Becoming a Bulldogs Legend

Brock Bowers is a name that echoes through the halls of college football greatness—a tight end who changed the way his position is viewed and utilized in the modern game. Known for his unmatched athleticism, crisp route-running, and relentless motor, Bowers has become synonymous with Georgia Bulldogs dominance during the Kirby Smart era. However, in a recent interview, Bowers stunned fans by revealing that he nearly took his talents elsewhere—and the school he almost committed to might come as a surprise to many.

Before the awards, championships, and sold-out Saturdays in Athens, Brock Bowers was just another high school star in Napa, California, with dreams of playing big-time college football. Despite hailing from the West Coast, Bowers was quickly discovered by top programs across the country due to his rare blend of size, speed, and football IQ. While Georgia ultimately landed him, the now-iconic Bulldog admitted he came “very close” to committing to the University of Washington.

“I loved the coaches up there. I really did,” Bowers said. “Coach (Scott) Huff, Coach (Chris) Petersen before he stepped down—they really made me feel like I was a top priority. There was something special about the culture they were building, and it felt like a place where I could grow as both a player and a person.”

The Washington Huskies, while not traditionally viewed as a tight end powerhouse, were at the time building a reputation for developing pro-ready players across both sides of the ball. The Pacific Northwest was a more comfortable cultural fit for Bowers and a closer destination for his family. That comfort, coupled with genuine relationships with the Husky staff, gave Washington a real shot.

“I visited Seattle and just thought, ‘Wow, I could see myself here.’ The city was amazing, and the fans are passionate. It checked a lot of boxes,” Bowers added.

It wasn’t just about geography or relationships—it was also about opportunity. Washington’s staff made it clear early on that they would tailor parts of the offense to feature Bowers in dynamic ways. They envisioned a future where he could be the centerpiece of their passing attack, not just a standard in-line blocker. That vision aligned with what Bowers wanted from his college experience.

But the tipping point in Bowers’ recruitment came during his interaction with Georgia’s tight ends coach, Todd Hartley, and head coach Kirby Smart. “Coach Hartley didn’t just tell me what I wanted to hear—he showed me film, he showed me the plan, and he backed up every promise,” Bowers recalled. “Then I spoke with Coach Smart and just got this feeling like he was building something huge. He told me, ‘You want to win championships? This is the place to do it.’”

The Georgia pitch wasn’t about hype or flash—it was about fit and future. Bowers saw a program on the rise with a coaching staff that had a clear blueprint for maximizing his potential. In a leap of faith, he committed to Georgia despite having never visited campus in person due to pandemic restrictions. The decision shocked many in recruiting circles, but it proved prophetic.

As a true freshman in 2021, Bowers exploded onto the national scene, becoming Georgia’s leading receiver and a key component in their national championship run. His 13 touchdown receptions that season were the most ever by a Georgia tight end. Over the next two seasons, he would only further cement his legacy, earning All-American honors, winning the John Mackey Award, and guiding Georgia to a second consecutive national title in 2022.

“I think about it sometimes—what if I had picked Washington?” Bowers admitted. “Who knows what would’ve happened? I still believe they’re a great program, and I’ve got a ton of respect for what they’ve built. But Georgia was the right call for me.”

That doesn’t mean the decision was easy. In fact, Bowers said that choosing Georgia required him to get outside his comfort zone. “Moving across the country, being away from home—that was a huge step for me,” he said. “I’m a pretty reserved guy, and I had to grow up quickly. But I’m grateful for that. It forced me to mature and become more independent. I think that played a big part in the player and person I became.”

Indeed, Bowers’ impact at Georgia has gone beyond the field. His relentless work ethic and quiet leadership made him a cornerstone of the Bulldogs’ culture. Teammates speak of his humility and unselfishness, often pointing out that despite his stardom, Bowers rarely sought the spotlight.

“He doesn’t talk much,” said Georgia quarterback Carson Beck. “But when he does, people listen. And the way he practices—man, it sets the tone for all of us. You see a guy with that much talent grinding every day, you’ve got no excuse.”

NFL scouts have already labeled Bowers as one of the most complete tight end prospects in recent memory. His versatility—lining up out wide, in the slot, or inline—has drawn comparisons to NFL stars like George Kittle and Travis Kelce. But Bowers is carving his own path, one built on fundamentals and a relentless competitive fire.

“He’s the kind of guy you build an offense around,” one scout noted during the 2025 NFL Combine. “He’s fast enough to beat corners and strong enough to pancake linebackers. And he’s a professional in everything he does. He’ll walk into a locker room and be a leader Day One.”

That’s exactly what Georgia fans saw over his three-season run in Athens—a player who not only dominated games, but who consistently elevated those around him. From a blocked assignment to a touchdown catch, Bowers approached every snap with the same intensity and discipline. That consistency, he says, comes from lessons learned long before college.

“My parents were athletes,” Bowers said. “They pushed me to give my best every day, no matter what. It wasn’t about being flashy or getting headlines—it was about showing up, doing your job, and respecting the game.”

Now, as Bowers prepares for the next step in his journey—the NFL—he carries with him both gratitude and curiosity. Gratitude for the path he chose, and curiosity for what might’ve been had he gone another route.

“I still talk to some of the guys I met during my Washington visits. Great dudes,” Bowers said with a smile. “I don’t have any regrets, but I think it’s healthy to reflect sometimes. Every choice shapes who you become.”

Reflecting on his decision, Bowers believes the tough choice to leave home for Georgia was ultimately what fueled his development. “It wasn’t the easy choice. But sometimes the hardest decisions give you the biggest rewards.”

As he transitions to the professional stage, Brock Bowers remains a beacon of what happens when talent meets commitment, and when calculated risks lead to legacy-defining rewards. Georgia fans will always remember him as one of the program’s all-time greats—but for a brief moment, he was almost a Husky. And in that alternate universe, one of college football’s greatest tight ends might have been catching passes in purple and gold instead of red and black.

But history was made in Athens. And Brock Bowers wouldn’t change a thing.