Tyus Bowser's past at the University of Houston was splendid.
His week in Mobile, Alabama at the Senior Bowl practices has been fruitful.
In just eight games last season, the Cougar rang up 8.5 sacks and 12 tackles for a loss. He was a force on that defense, but he came to south Alabama this week with a few key goals.
"I want to prove to them that I can rush the passer," Bowser told John Harris of HoustonTexans.com. "That I have good feet and that I can cover people."
With four years on the football team, and another two as a member of the Houston basketball squad, Bowser's athleticism is one of his strengths. Harris explained that his measurables are also a positive as well.
"One of the first things that stands out as it pertains to Bowser is his build. I'm not sure there's an ounce of body fat on him. He's sculpted at 6-3, 244 pounds and has shown he can be a versatile piece in any defense. He's covered tight ends one play, then rushed the quarterback the next. He has the strength and length to be a solid pass rusher in the future. He probably needs to add five to ten pounds, at a minimum to hold up consistently on the edge against the run. NFL scouts really like him and don't see him lasting long on draft weekend."
At times this week, Bowser has been called upon to match up in coverage with the likes of Alabama tight end O.J. Howard. While rushing the passer will be his main objective in the pros, showing off the ability to drop into coverage has been important to him as well.
"I know that was one big thing that couple of coaches were asking me, as far as can I go out there and play man-to-man on guys," Bowser said.
Bowser book-ended his senior campaign with a sack in the opener against Oklahoma, as well as a sack in the Las Vegas Bowl versus San Diego State. In between, he posted a sack in four of the other six contests, and dropped the Tulane quarterback three times.
Several players on the current Texans roster played in the Senior Bowl in years past.