[LeeCoUKFan]

OL Bowen puts recruiting on hold for now

Justin Rowland
Special to CatsIllustrated.com

The last time Cats Illustrated caught up with Ja'Merez Bowen he said Kentucky had blown him away on his unofficial visit but admitted he has some work to do over the next year.

The work that needs to be done is primarily in the classroom.

Perhaps that's one reason Bowen has stepped back and away from the recruiting process of late.

The 6-foot-5, 270-pound offensive tackle from Cleveland (Ohio) Shaker Heights is trying not to think too much about the future when he's got enough to worry about in the here and now. Every report card and every test matters, and his focus seems to be on closing the year strong.

"I'm not really thinking too much about recruiting right now," Bowen said. "I don't have any plans to visit anybody. I probably won't visit any more schools until after the football season. Nobody's really standing out."

Does that mean his interest in Kentucky has fallen off?

"No," he responded. "I mean, it's been a little while since I talked to them. I went on the junior day and they've offered me. Coach (Vince) Marrow is recruiting me.

"I mean, I like them. I just don't really know where I want to go yet. It's a lot to think about. I'm not sure what's going to happen."

Bowen also claims offers from Indiana, Louisville, Nebraska, NC State and Pittsburgh. While he's trying not to think about the recruiting process, the process isn't necessarily trying to avoid him.

Coaches from Pitt, Nebraska, Northwestern, Louisville, Indiana, Maryland, UCF and Ball State have already stopped by Shaker Heights during the spring evaluation period to date with more schools sure to come by.

http://kentucky.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1500662