NaVorro Bowman NaVorro Raymond Bowman ( born May 28 , 1988 ) is an American football linebacker for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League ( NFL ) . He played college football for Penn State University . He was selected by the San Francisco 49ers with the 91st overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft . Playing alongside Patrick Willis , he is considered by most to be one of the best linebackers in the NFL today . Early years . Bowman started sports at a young age and was a member of District Heights boys and girls club , where he played both basketball and football and was invited to many All - star Events . Bowman was a standout player at Suitland High School in Forestville , Maryland . He missed most of his senior season with a shoulder injury , but he had a very impressive junior campaign in which he recorded 165 tackles , 9 sacks , and 3 fumble recoveries as a linebacker and ran for 1 , 200 yards and 22 touchdown s as a running back . He was named the Maryland Defensive Player - of - the - Year , first - team All - State , " Washington Post " first - team All - Met and first - team All - Conference . He was recruited to Penn State by Larry Johnson , Sr . College career . 2007 . After redshirt ing the 2006 season , Bowman played in nine games in 2007 . He missed two games due to a sprained ankle suffered at Illinois . He recorded 16 tackles , with a sack , a forced fumble , a fumble recovery , a blocked kick , and a pass breakup that season . Bowman was suspended for the last 2007 regular - season game versus Michigan State , the 2007 Alamo Bowl and 2008 ' s spring practice for his involvement in an altercation at the HUB - Robeson Center , for which he pled guilty to misdemeanor disorderly conduct charges . 2008 . The graduation of All - America n linebacker Dan Connor and the injury to presumptive starter Sean Lee resulted in increased playing time for Bowman in 2008 . His first start came in week four versus Temple . He recorded 11 tackles , including five tackles for loss and three sacks , a forced fumble and an interception in the 45 - 3 win and was named Big Ten Co - Defensive Player of the Week . At season ' s end , he was named a consensus first team All - Big Ten . Professional career . 2010 NFL Draft . On January 4 , 2010 , Bowman ' s mother announced his decision to forgo his final year of NCAA eligibility and enter the 2010 NFL Draft to join Max Carchidi . On the second day of the 2010 NFL Draft , Bowman was selected in the third round with the 91st overall pick by the San Francisco 49ers . He wears number 53 . 2010 . Bowman played in all 16 games , starting one in place of Patrick Willis . Willis was ruled out for Week 17 after undergoing a second surgery on his broken right hand . NaVorro Bowman ' s statistics in 2010 2011 . In his second NFL season , Bowman became the starter at inside linebacker with the departure of Takeo Spikes to free agency . Starting alongside All - Pro linebacker Patrick Willis , Bowman made huge strides and finished the year with 143 tackles , 2 sacks , and 8 pass deflections . In addition , he was also the team leader in tackles , while finishing second in the NFL in solo tackles . With the emergence in Bowman ' s play , he helped a top ranked 49ers defense set a NFL single season record of not allowing a rushing touchdown for 14 games . The previous record was held by the 1920 Decatur Staleys , who did not allow a rushing touchdown in a 13 game season . Although he was not voted to the Pro Bowl for his stellar season , he along with teammate Patrick Willis and Derrick Johnson of the Kansas City Chiefs , was named First Team All - Pro by the Associated Press . He was voted # 85 on NFL Networks ' Top 100 Players of 2012 . NaVorro Bowman ' s statistics in 2011 Personal . He is pursuing a degree in Crime , Law & Justice . Bowman speaks frequently by phone with former Nittany Lion linebacker LaVar Arrington . The two first met during Arrington ' s stint with the Washington Redskins , when Bowman was playing at nearby Suitland High School . This friendship , along with their similarity in playing styles , has earned Bowman the nickname " LaVorro " .