Gerald Bowman needed to be humbled, he says.
The senior safety traveled all the way across the country from Philadelphia to attend Pierce College. Coming out of high school he received no attention from Division I schools.
At Pierce in 2012, he became the top junior college player in the country with offers pouring in from all across the country.
Once he got to USC, all of a sudden, he was closer to the player who wasn't recruited out of high school than the all-world safety at Pierce. He played in 13 games in 2012, his first season at USC, but made just 11 tackles in limited action playing behind the likes of T.J. McDonald, Jawanza Starling, Josh Shaw and others. It was a reality check.
"Coming out of junior college as one of the top recruits, that stuff can get to you," Bowman said.
The 2013 season was tougher. Off the field issues struck. Bowman eventually took a redshirt after being halted by a leg muscle injury.
Also, his father passed away during the first week of the season, although Bowman didn't find out until a few weeks later.
Bowman says he and his dad were "cool." They spoke often and, although they may not have been as close as other fathers and sons, Bowman still felt the pain of losing a parent.
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"If you lose a parent, whether you're close or not, that's always going to be something that's tough," Bowman said. "Everyday, every game I know he's watching over me. His thing to me was to make him proud and that's what I continue to do."
His own health and injuries took a backseat during the time of his father's passing as he tried to make sure his family back in Philadelphia was OK.
As he began to focus more on himself, he took the approach that everything happens for a reason.
He looks at his injury last season as a blessing in disguise.
It's allowed him to return for another season at USC -- a season he's making the most of.
He's tied for the team lead in pass breakups, second on the team in tackles, and is one of five players on the team with an interception.
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Bowman comes to the field everyday with a zest for the opportunity he possesses, which is very much appreciated by head coach Steve Sarkisian.
"He brings a senior attitude of grateful of the opportunity," Sarkisian said. "Embraces every day he gets to be out here, obviously on game day but in practices (as well). I think that that is really contagious. He appreciates the opportunity that he has, and he makes the most of it every day he takes the field. I think it's a great message to send to our young players."
Bowman, a redshirt senior, is now on his third defensive coordinator and third defensive backs coach in as many seasons at USC.
He's battled coaching changes, lack of playing time, injuries, as well as personal challenges during his time with the Trojans. Bowman says today he's better because of it all.
"Based off experience and what I went through it just humbled me," Bowman said. "I've learned to be grateful. That's my approach everyday."
