32

Reginald Bowens

Class: RS Senior Hometown: Holly Springs, N.C. High School: Garner

Height / Weight: 6-3 / 254 Position: LB Experience: 2 VL

Returning starter at the Will linebacker position... slated to move to the Mike position this spring where he will compete with Shaq Wilson for the starting assignment, but both should play considerably... fifth-year senior has made eight career starts.

2011: Stayed healthy for the first time in his career and turned in a solid campaign at linebacker... played in all 13 games, starting eight... recorded 44 tackles... started each of the first six contests and also earned the start against Arkansas and Nebraska... notched six tackles against East Carolina in his first collegiate start... also picked up his first fumble recovery versus the Pirates... logged a career-high 11 tackles against Auburn... forced his first career fumble against Kentucky... picked off his first pass in the win at Mississippi State... named the Most Improved Linebacker in the spring.

2010: Played in six games seeing limited action... did not participate in the spring after undergoing right shoulder surgery, but given full go at the start of fall camp... sprained his right knee early in fall camp and missed the season opener... suffered a hamstring injury midseason and missed several more contests... credited with one tackle in the Troy game.

2009: Redshirt freshman linebacker who saw limited action on special teams... credited with a pair of tackles in nine games... made his collegiate debut at NC State in the season opener... sprained his left knee in practice prior to the Georgia game and was sidelined for several weeks... had a tackle against Kentucky and against Arkansas... had right shoulder surgery following the season....was a member of the Fall SEC Academic Honor Roll.

2008: Missed the entire campaign after undergoing left shoulder surgery.

HIGH SCHOOL: A first-team all-state selection at Garner (N.C.) High School, graduating in 2008... tallied more than 100 tackles during his senior season of 2007... played in the Shrine Bowl... named to the All-Atlantic Region team by PrepStar magazine... considered a three-star prospect... Rivals.com ranked him the No. 37 outside linebacker in the 2008 signing class and the 16th-best player in the state of North Carolina... was a prep teammate of former Gamecocks Chris Culliver and Cedrick Snead... selected South Carolina over North Carolina, Clemson and East Carolina among others.

PERSONAL: Reginald T. Bowens is pursuing a degree in criminal justice.