photo by: Mike Shaw/Special to the Journal-World

Lawrence quarterback Banks Bowen looks to make a pass during a game at Shawnee Mission West on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024, in Overland Park.

After a semester with the Tulsa football team, former Lawrence quarterback Banks Bowen is transferring to Oklahoma State.

Bowen announced his decision to enter the portal on April 25 through his social media. The next day, he reported a scholarship offer from Oklahoma State. He took an official visit to Stillwater, Oklahoma, on Monday and committed to the program that day.

The Oklahoma State coaching staff has strong collective experience in developing quarterbacks, which was a big draw for Bowen when he decided to transfer.

“I really like coach (Kevin) Johns, the quarterbacks coach there, and I think he’s got a lot of experience and knows how to coach the position really well,” Bowen said. “I’m fully just ready to trust him and my process and develop me.”

Johns recently worked with Riley Leonard, the 2024 quarterback for Notre Dame, when Leonard played for Duke from 2022-23. In 2022, Leonard threw for 20 touchdowns against six interceptions before a down year in 2023. Bowen said he’s excited to work with Johns to develop his throwing mechanics.

At Oklahoma State, Bowen will reunite with his dad, Clint, who was the head coach at Lawrence High School for the last four years. After stepping away from the Lawrence High School job, Clint became an offensive quality control coach for the Cowboys.

“I think it’ll be helpful for me as I try to learn the OSU playbook,” Bowen said of being coached by his dad again. “Having him there will be a benefit for me, just in the knowledge side of college football.”

Growing up with a college coach and former college athlete for a dad, Bowen has always been around college football, and he’s always had the goal of playing at this level. Oklahoma State is his chance to compete in a conference that he grew up around, watching as his dad coached for Kansas.

“My whole life, it’s always been the goal to get to the Power Five level,” Bowen said. “I’ve always tried to get myself in this position where I can get the opportunity to play at a school like this.”

Bowen spent his first months at Tulsa getting acclimated to college life, both on the athletic side and the academic side. Those months were helpful for Bowen, particularly in the weight room, where he worked on getting physically ready for Division I football. Bowen said he’s gained 10 pounds of muscle since enrolling at Tulsa this winter.

Bowen ultimately left Tulsa to seek an opportunity elsewhere, and Oklahoma State provided that.

The Cowboys don’t have a lot of depth at the quarterback position, as Bowen will become only the third quarterback on the roster once he transfers there. He’ll be with Zane Flores, a redshirt freshman who is in his third year at Oklahoma State, and Hauss Hejny, a redshirt freshman who spent his first year in college football at TCU. Whether he gets playing time or not, Bowen said his focus is on improving daily.

“I’m going to keep it simple and keep working on my mechanics, throwing the ball and reading the defense,” Bowen said. “Just getting everything in check and making sure I’m ready.”

Bowen will finish the academic semester at Tulsa before moving to Stillwater. He said he also plans on coming back to Lawrence to walk for his high school graduation.

“I’m pretty eager to get over there and just start learning already and getting the playbook in my head,” Bowen said.