Growing up in Corunna, Michigan, redshirt freshman quarterback Wyatt Bower started playing football at a young age, thanks to his dad.
His dad was very passionate about football, and at the age of six, Bower started playing flag football and eventually started tackle football in third grade.
During his time at Corunna High School, Bower set school records with 214 career pass completions, 3,850 passing yards, 45 passing touchdowns, and rushing for 2,295 yards. Bower talked about his time in high school.
“Being in a small town, we played Division 5 football. Our big year was our senior year. We had about 25 guys on the team, which isn’t a lot, so most of the guys were playing both ways,” Bower said. “Playing like that is tough, but we ended up going 13-1 our senior year and made it to the state championship at Ford Field, which was one of my dreams as a kid, to make it there, and being able to put my skills up to show. We didn’t end up winning that game, but it was just a great experience.”
Bower was really happy to have had the opportunity to play in Ford Field. The whole city of Corunna and the neighboring town were in attendance for the game, and it was a great experience for the community and for the kids.
Bower got offers from Division 1 colleges like Colorado State and Central Michigan, but they wanted him to play on defense, which Bower disliked. He was a quarterback. With Head Coach Tony Annese being from Corunna, Bower grew up with the Ferris head coach, having known him for 13 years. Annese hosted football camps in Corunna, and that is where the two first met.
Bower got the offer from Ferris during his junior year of high school. Bower went on his official visit and then committed to Ferris State the next morning.
Bower talks about his favorite part of being at Ferris State.
“It’s the culture, for sure. I’m very blessed to be in the position I am now, and it’s been working out very well,” Bower said. “Big Rapids is a similar size to my home. It’s more like a team atmosphere here, and everybody’s working for each other. Especially on the team, all the guys aren’t selfish; they just work for the team. We all strive for team success, and that’s why we are successful.”
This season, Bower has shared the quarterback job with sophomore quarterback Chase Carter, who has usually come in for Bower in the second quarter of games. Carter feels that Bower has helped him grow as a quarterback, as well as a person.
“Even though Wyatt is younger than me, he’s helped me a lot in finding myself as a quarterback and as a member of this team. Watching him kind of get thrown in the fire as a redshirt freshman and lead this team has been truly inspiring,” Carter said. “He may not even realize how much his performance and leadership have helped me with my own confidence. On top of that, he’s just been a great friend and supporter, so all the quarterbacks feel welcome and needed on this team as we go deeper into the season and try to make another national championship run.”
Bower loves all of his teammates, but he’s really close with one of them, his brother, redshirt freshman wide receiver Tarick Bower. The two grew up together, and Wyatt is excited to have his brother come up with him and play football in college. The two have been able to start receiving chemistry early in their college careers, with the two already connecting for three touchdowns this season.
Tarick Bower knew early on he wanted to play football at the next level with his brother.
“It was probably sophomore or junior year in high school,” Tarick said. “We talked about it with each other, and we wanted to go somewhere and continue our legacy. The connection we have is just awesome, and it’s awesome him being the one to throw me the football.”
The end goal for Wyatt Bower this season is to win a national championship, and he feels that this team has what it takes to do just that.