Why Oklahoma's Safeties Are Excited to Have Billy Bowman Back

Oklahoma’s defense has taken strides under Brent Venables, but it certainly hasn’t reached the level of dominance he once had at Clemson. And it wasn’t supposed to — yet. Heading into year three under Venables and year one the SEC, it’s imperative that the identity of a dominant defense begins to form.

Venables has had two constants in terms of defensive leadership since he arrived in Norman: Billy Bowman and Danny Stutsman. While Stutsman is obviously the most vocal of the two, Bowman has been leading by example since the day he stepped on campus. Now, as Venables enters the last phase of rebuilding and revamping a once-feared defense, Bowman and Stutsman have a chance to take it full circle. They were both there for the early days of Venables, trusting him and staying committed to Oklahoma. Now, they have a chance to complete the turnaround.

The Sooners’ best news of the entire offseason came when both Bowman and Stutsman announced their return to Norman. The duo had unfinished business and a perfect chance to improve draft stock. Bowman, specifically, has a chance to be a highly touted NFL prospect.

The rising senior from Denton, TX, has improved every season and was often times the lone bright spot on a struggling Sooners defense. Now that the play around him has improved, his talent is shining even brighter. 

In an otherwise youthful safety room, Bowman has taken on a leadership role. He gives Oklahoma stability and consistency on the field, and sets a high bar for the room off the field. 

“He’s everyone’s big brother," said Robert Spears-Jennings, a rising junior. “He’s always held himself to a higher standard. Even before spring I asked him what were three things I needed to get better at and he helped me with those three things. Even after this (interview), we have meetings. We watch film every day. We watch film three times a day — all the safeties — and he prepares all to a higher standard.”

So much has changed since Bowman arrived at Oklahoma in 2021. Little did he know, the Sooners’ football program was about to be turned upside down.

He was talented enough to play as a freshman in Alex Grinch’s defense, and Lincoln Riley always spoke highly of his abilities. While Oklahoma’s defense was improved from the Mike Stoops days, it still wasn’t a good unit. 

In 2021, the Sooners finished with the 60th-ranked defense in the country. It was a star studded unit, too, that just didn’t seem to mesh with the coaching staff. Brian Asamoah, DaShaun White, Dellarin Turner-Yell, Nik Bonitto, Isaiah Thomas, and Perrion Winfrey were all featured — and all six have spots playing professional football.

Bowman was also a part of that group and made an impact as a freshman. He totaled 21 tackles and 2.0 tackles for loss. His talent was clear early on, and he committed to improving as a player and taking Oklahoma to the next level. When Riley left for USC at the season’s conclusion, Bowman stayed strong in his commitment to Oklahoma. He wanted to see it through with Venables in charge.

Fast forward to 2023, and Oklahoma has shown clear improvement on the defensive side of the ball. The Sooners ranked 49th in team defense and seventh in the country in takeaways. Bowman’s secondary unit was ranked No. 2 in interceptions at 20, just one behind Liberty at 21.

Bowman was a massive reason for Oklahoma’s turnaround and was one of the best safeties in the country. He was the biggest Jim Thorpe Award snub and one of the Sooners’ best all-around players. He registered 63 total tackles, 3.0 tackles for loss, and six interceptions. Bowman turned three of those six interceptions into touchdowns — a jaw-dropping statistic. He’s grown so much since his freshman year at Oklahoma, and that’s why he has so much to offer for the talented, youthful secondary.

“He’s a leader, so I know he’s just going to make me better at the end of the day," sophomore Peyton Bowen said. “Iron sharpens iron. He’s one of the hardest workers I know, so that’s just gonna make me work harder every day.”

“That’s exactly why I wasn’t bummed out that he’s coming back. I was very happy he was coming back. I don’t think I’m ready to be that guy, and he’s teaching me into those ways so I can be that guy.”

Bowen is coming off of a promising freshman campaign, and has a lot of similarities of a young Bowman. The talent is clear, and the pair could form a formidable duo next fall.

When Bowman chose to stick around in Norman after Riley departed for USC, he chose Oklahoma. And this past year, when he chose to help Venables complete the the turnaround instead of testing the NFL waters, he chose Oklahoma. He has quietly been a key catalyst in ushering the Sooners into a new era of football, and 2024 is setting up to be a special final chapter.

“You can ask Billy,” Spears-Jennings said. “I told him every day, ‘You can’t leave me. I can’t be the old guy yet.’ I still became the old guy but that’s all right.” 

From an individual perspective and a team perspective, Bowman still has unfinished business. Oklahoma’s safety room will have to grow up fast, but having Bowman to lean on is a luxury no other team in the country has. His encore has a chance to be one for the books.