Who is Justin Bowick? Meet the WR who joined Oklahoma State football 'to be explosive'

STILLWATER — Entering Saturday, it had been 676 days since Justin Bowick 's last 100-yard receiving game.

"It feels like forever ago," Bowick said. "It really does."

Saturday, the redshirt senior Oklahoma State receiver caught nine passes, a career-high, for 178 yards and two touchdowns in OSU's 59-0 win against Murray State . Bowick did all his damage in the first half, before the starters were pulled on the second drive of the third quarter. OSU (2-1) quarterback Drew Mestemaker looked for Bowick twice on the first drive, connecting on a 22-yard pass over the middle and throwing him a fade in the end zone that wasn't caught.

That opportunity is why Bowick transferred from Illinois to OSU in January.

"I mean, that's what I came here for to be explosive and get yards like that," Bowick said. "I'm very proud of that and it felt very good to have a 100-plus yard game again."

In November 2024 when he played for Ball State, Bowick had a 171-yard, one touchdown game against Miami (Ohio) and a 148-yard, two touchdown game against Buffalo the next week. After a career that started in the FCS level at Eastern Illinois because Bowick tore his achilles "off the bone" entering his senior year of high school, that breakout was his ticket to the big time of the power conference level. Bowick transferred to Illinois.

Last season, the Illini ranked No. 59 nationally in passing offense. Bowick played in 12 of Illinois' 13 games but didn't record more than 50 receiving yards in any contest. Bowick finished fourth on the team with 265 receiving yards.

Bowick said it's completely different playing in coach Eric Morris' offense at OSU, where quarterback Drew Mestemaker led the country in passing last season at North Texas and is averaging 294 passing yards per game this season.

Through three games, Bowick leads OSU with 281 receiving yards, more than he had all of last season.

"I mean, like I said, that's the reason I came here for coach Morris and his playcalling," Bowick said. "I've been loving it ever since I stepped foot on this campus."

Bowick has improved in every game this season. He made two catches against Tulsa, five grabs against Oregon and nine vs Murray State. The Murray State version of Bowick is the player he sounded like in fall practices.

Bowick, 6-foot-5, 209 pounds, generated lots of preseason buzz because of what his teammates said about his physical traits. He ranked No. 66 on The Athletic's preseason "freaks list" for a back squat of more than 500 pounds and 22 mph sprint speed.

"Freaky is definitely a word to use," OSU linebacker Isaiah Chisom said. "I think that's God-given. I think his athletic frame- he's a big-body receiver, so you definitely have to bring your A-game every time."

Saturday, receiver Chris Barnes didn't play because he was nursing a shoulder injury. Junior Wyatt Young made a highlight diving grab for a touchdown, but it was his only catch of the game. Aside from Bowick's nine receptions, no other cowboy caught more than three passes.

"And so I think he's having fun playing in a wide open offense, you know, in something where he's getting targets," Morris said. "And thought he did a phenomenal job today."

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Ben Hutchens covers OSU athletics for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Ben? He can be reached at bhutchens@oklahoman.com or on Twitter at @ben_hutchens_ . Sign up for OSU Sports Minute newsletter to access more coverage of the Cowboys and Cowgirls. Support Ben's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com .