Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
A big junior season with The Linsly School (Wheeling, W.Va.) is turning into an even bigger offseason. Next level scouts throughout the region are taking a deeper look at 2024 prospect Atley Cowan (6-2, 191) leading to visits and college coaches gassing up the rig for a trip to Wheeling to see Cowan throw with the Cadets this spring.
Recruiting ties are being built with Cowan.
“I talk to Marshall a lot, Ohio, West Virginia, Toledo a little bit, Akron, and Youngstown,” Cowan said. “Those schools, a lot of MAC and Sun Belt schools. I talk to Harvard, Columbia, Brown, and Lafayette along with all the others.”
In March, Ohio, Marshall, and West Virginia twice welcomed Cowan to campus.
Ohio: “When I was at Ohio, it felt home like. I got to meet one on one with me and my recruiter. They showed me around and treated me really well. I liked it a lot. I talked to coach Izzy (Scott Isphording), their quarterback coach; we talked one on one, and he quizzed me. We talked for a while. I also talked to him on the field during drills.”
Marshall: “I have been there a bunch; my dad played there. I have a good relationship with all the coaches. They call my dad Andy, they call me Andy’s twin. I gained 20 pounds in a month, that was coach (Clint) Trickett’s (OC/QB) big thing; he wanted to see me gain weight. I gained 20 pounds, now he wants to see me throw in person. We will go from there.”
West Virginia: “West Virginia’s area recruiter for here, I know him well. We talked up there. He said coach wants to see me throw in person again. He also told me that coming up helps and that they like to see me.
“I talked to coach (Neal) Brown as well. He told me that I need to keep what I am doing, keep getting stronger and gain weight and everything will fall into place for me. They all kind of said the same things. The quarterback coach (Sean Reagan) at WVU is new. They said I will get to have a one on one with him next time I am there.”
On Thursday, Cowan will be in Pennsylvania spending time with the Lafayette Leopards.
“Linsly has sent a few kids there,” Cowan stated. “Their head coach (John Troxell) is close with one of my coaches. They have been trying to work out a date to visit for a while. On the 20th, we are taking a van up there with two of my other teammates. That’ll be fun to get up there. I’ve never been there. I am looking forward to it.”
A spring showcase is being set up for Cowan and his Linsly teammates so college coaches can see his progression this offseason.
“We are setting up a workout; we don’t have spring ball,” Cowan said. “Ohio, Marshall, WVU, Akron, Toledo, Youngstown, and Lafayette are all coming down to see me throw.”
Cowan shared what he’s working on ahead of the showcase and for the 2023 regular season.
“This offseason I am working more on my form,” Cowan stated. “I am being more knit picky. I go to Cleveland every Sunday to work with my QB trainer. I am working on my lower body to create more whip and power on the ball. I keep up my core work. I am also working on my arm angles and I’m working on rolling out to my left; rolling out the opposite way always needs work.”
Running a pass-first spread attack for the Cadets, Cowan spoke about the strengths to his overall game.
“I’m really good at getting the ball off on time, especially on short and intermediate routes like slants, posts, and comebacks. I work with my teammates all the time, that helps our timing. I also feel that, although I may not have the stars, I feel that I can make plays. We had the hardest schedule in the valley, we came out 9-1. It helps a lot with the people around me, that allows me to make plays.”
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