Defensive lineman Jeff Bowie departs Iowa football ahead of final year of eligibility

IOWA CITY — Iowa defensive lineman Jeff Bowie has left the football program ahead of his final year of college eligibility, head coach Kirk Ferentz said on Tuesday.

“Made that decision last week,” Ferentz said. “He’s going to pull back right now and finish up academically. He’ll graduate here this spring, and then he’s interested in going to another school and taking advantage of his last year.”

Bowie, a West Branch native, arrived at Iowa in 2021 as a three-star recruit. He did not see any game action in his first three seasons with the Hawkeyes. He appeared in three games this season, but did not record any statistics.

“I’m incredibly thankful for my time at the University of Iowa and for all the experiences, coaches and teammates who have been a part of my journey,” Bowie said on social media Wednesday. “I’m excited for this next chapter and the opportunities ahead.”

Bowie’s departure frees up a scholarship and coveted roster spot for 2025. The Hawkeyes currently have 127 players listed on their online roster, as of Tuesday afternoon; that will need to go down to 105 in 2025 as part of the roster caps from the House vs. NCAA settlement.

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