Player movement from team to team in college football happens quite often, and when it does, the names who opt to leave their unhappy situations can be monumental.
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Former five-star running back Demarkcus Bowman is one of those players.
Bowman, who shined as a running back for Lakeland High School in Lakeland, Fla., signed with the Clemson Tigers as a member of the 2020 recruiting class.
After just one season, however, the star rusher changed his career trajectory and entered the NCAA Transfer Portal.
In January 2021, Bowman decided to transfer back home and join the Florida Gators.
RB Demarkcus Bowman Transfers to Florida
BREAKING: Former five-star running back Demarkcus Bowman (@Bowman_22) tells @GatorsTerritory that he is transferring to the University of Florida.
This is yet another huge pickup for Dan Mullen and company in the transfer portal.
STORY: https://t.co/C9FNJhZi8i #UF #Gators pic.twitter.com/YhWFKsiDGf
— Joseph Hastings III (@JosephAHastings) October 3, 2020
RELATED: The 10 Best Running Backs in Florida Gators History, Ranked
Demarkcus Bowman had plenty of interest from other schools.
Programs such as Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, Florida State, Georgia, Miami, Michigan, Nebraska, North Carolina, Ohio State, Oregon, South Carolina, Syracuse, Tennessee, and Texas sent offers in his direction during his prep career.
Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney and offensive coordinator Tony Elliott didn't utilize Bowman often last year, but they were still upset the running back decided to leave so quickly.
Nevertheless, Swinney's frustration is Dan Mullen's satisfaction, and Florida football will be getting a player with a ton of untapped potential.
If Bowman is truly happier in Gainesville, this will be a match made in heaven. He has multiple years of eligibility remaining.
Demarkcus Bowman Highlights
The 247Sports Composite was a fan of Bowman's game in high school, and his highlights justify that hype.
From 2017-18, the running back was a force on the field. Lakeland is a great, championship-caliber high school program in the state of Florida, and Bowman totaled 46 touchdowns over those two seasons.
Bowman has a knack for accelerating more as he sneaks past defenders and reaches the end zone. He may be taking a detour in his college career, but the NFL Draft is certainly within reach.
How does former five-star Demarkcus Bowman fit into the Florida's plans in 2021? @delatorre breaks down the Gators running back depth chart: https://t.co/jgXS6Zcz6c pic.twitter.com/a57bgirdiK
— Rivals (@Rivals) February 10, 2021
Demarkcus Bowman will have to earn the starting position on Florida's depth chart that includes redshirt junior Lorenzo Lingard, senior Dameon Pierce, redshirt senior Malik Davis, and redshirt sophomore Nay'Quan Wright, but will he be given every opportunity to succeed in the backfield.
Here's hoping that he can enjoy himself closer to home in the Sunshine State.
