Billy Bowman Jr., SAF, Oklahoma
Size:
Height: 5097
Weight: 192
Arm: 28 ½”
Hand: 8 ⅝”
Accomplishments:
First-Team All-Big 12 (2023) • All-Big 12 Honorable Mention (2022)
“Billy Bowman Jr. is a proven playmaker who can make game-changing plays by forcing turnovers and converting them into points.”
Strengths:
Playmaker/ball skills
Ballhawk/ability to create turnovers
Position/alignment-versatile
High IQ and instincts
Concerns:
Tackling technique and effectiveness
Length
Film Analysis:
Billy Bowman Jr. is a senior draft prospect who has been a reliable starter for the Sooners program since his freshman year. Bowman had a national breakout season in 2023 and followed it up in 2024 with even more ball production, cementing himself as one of the most dangerous defenders in college football. He finished second in the nation with six interceptions in 2023, three of which he returned for touchdowns. Bowman boasts a great blend of instincts, quickness, and ball-tracking ability, making him a premier playmaker on the back end of a defense.
In pass coverage, Bowman's game can be divided into two elements. As a zone defender, he is alignment-versatile, capable of lining up anywhere from a true nickel position to playing over 20 yards off the ball as a deep, sideline-to-sideline presence. In zone, Bowman demonstrates an excellent understanding of route concepts, reading both receivers and quarterbacks to drive toward the ball. He profiles as an explosive player with the closing speed to punish quarterbacks for attempting tight-window throws. From depth, Bowman shows excellent sideline-to-sideline range and outstanding ball-tracking skills. Critically, he not only gets his hands on the football for pass breakups but consistently converts opportunities into interceptions. With the ball in his hands, Bowman is a dangerous returner, showing vision and elusiveness that have led to multiple pick-sixes during his career. In zone coverage, he combines short-area quickness, burst, instincts, and ball skills to be a constant threat to opposing offenses.
In man-to-man coverage, Bowman is a technically sound defender whose athletic profile allows him to be effective and efficient. Whether aligned in the slot or at safety, he demonstrates a strong understanding of leverage, stays in phase with receivers, and does not fall for false moves. At the top of the route, he shows explosive burst out of his plant and drive, allowing him to close quickly and either break up the pass or create a turnover. On deeper routes, Bowman’s fluid hips allow him to flip and run vertically with receivers while also reacting smoothly to double moves. In situations where receivers have two-way options, Bowman’s short-area quickness and explosiveness make him well-equipped to handle the challenge, particularly when covering slot receivers in man coverage.
The main concern for Bowman is his ability to consistently defend against the run. While he is a willing tackler and isn't afraid of high-collision situations—triggering downhill at full speed to make contact with ball-carriers—he tends to rely too much on arm tackles. Power runners are often able to break through his tackles and pick up additional yardage. At 5-foot-10 and 200 pounds, expecting Bowman to serve as a physical enforcer would not be an optimal use of his skill set. However, with improved tackling technique, he can become a more reliable contributor against the run.
Overall, Bowman projects to enter the NFL as a versatile secondary player who can change games by creating turnovers through his athleticism, instincts, and high football IQ.
Prospect Projection: Day 2 — Winning Starter
Written By: Keith Sanchez
Exposures: Tennessee (2024), Auburn (2024), Texas (2024), LSU (2024), Texas (2023), Oklahoma State (2023), Iowa State (2023), Kansas (2023)
