Linebacker Wes Bowers is returning to the Bay Area Panthers in 2025. This will be his third campaign participating in the Indoor Football League, all of which with Bay Area. Notably, the six-foot defender joined the Panthers for the 2023 title run.
Naturally, Bowers has high familiarity in Head Coach Rob Keefe’s system, as the two have worked together ever since Bowers left college.
In 2024, Bowers saw time in three games for Bay Area, registering 10 tackles (1.5 TFL) with one quarterback sack and one pass breakup. However, he was much more active throughout his rookie campaign.
In 2023, Bowers was an integral contributor to the Panthers’ inaugural IFL championship. Over the season, he produced 53 tackles, 8.5 TFL (second on the team), three sacks, two interceptions and one forced fumble.
For the 2023 IFL title game versus the Sioux Falls Storm, Bowers paced a dominant defense with nine tackles. He also logged one sack and one pass breakup for Bay Area in the historic 51-41 victory.
Prior to playing professionally, Bowers was on the football teams at Bowie State University (2021) and Georgetown University (2017-2019).
At Bowie State, Bowers was a leader on a Bulldog team that won its third-straight CIAA championship in 2021. That year, he saw action in 12 games, producing 58 tackles. More impressively, 10 of those tackles went for a loss, which included two sacks. Following, Bowers graduated with a degree in Justice, Peace Studies & Government.Â
At Georgetown, he appeared in 29 games over three seasons, making 190 total tackles. Bowers’ finest campaign with the Hoyas came in 2018 when he earned All-Patriot and FCS All-American honors behind 91 tackles (8.5 TFL), 4.5 sacks, four interceptions and seven passes defended.
Bowers was raised just outside the nation’s capital in Prince George’s County, MD. He attended Bishop McNamara High school in nearby Forestville wherein he was a three-year captain on the gridiron for the Mustangs, twice receiving All-State accolades. As a senior in 2016, he was named team MVP. He also competed in wrestling and lacrosse at Bishop McNamara.
In his free time, Bowers enjoys hiking, cooking, reading, singing and coaching flag football.
