Atlanta Falcons Draft Oklahoma DB Billy Bowman Jr.

After four seasons as a defensive centerpiece for OU, safety Billy Bowman Jr. will look to be similarly productive on Sundays.

The Atlanta Falcons selected Bowman, a four-year starter at Oklahoma, with the No. 118 (fourth round) pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Bowman is the second Sooner to be selected in the draft.

In 2021, his freshman year out of Denton, TX, Bowman quickly was thrust into action. He played 11 games and started seven, finishing the season with 22 tackles, two pass breakups, 1.5 tackles for loss and a forced fumble. Bowman’s numbers improved significantly in 2022, as he notched 60 tackles, three interceptions, two tackles for loss and five pass breakups to earn honorable mention All-Big 12 honors.

"I ain't never been more ready"@Billy2Bowman gets the call ☎️ pic.twitter.com/bqXSc9nbIg
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) April 26, 2025

Bowman established himself as one of college football’s best defensive backs in 2023, finishing tied for fourth in NCAA Division I FBS with six interceptions. He returned three of those interceptions for touchdowns, set a school record for interception return yards and also made 63 tackles to earn a spot on the All-Big 12 First Team.

And in his first season playing in the SEC, Bowman started all 12 regular-season games for OU, logging 54 tackles and two interceptions to earn third-team All-SEC honors.

"I couldn't be happier for Billy," coach Brent Venables said in an OU press release. "He gave OU everything he had for all four years and he will go down as one of the best DBs in program history. He's one of the most competitive guys I've ever coached, he laid it all on the line every single day and was a tone-setter and a rock for us. His combination of drive, intelligence, athleticism, relentless effort and loyalty have gotten him to this moment, and now he's on the doorstep of living out a lifelong dream. I couldn't be more thrilled for him and I will be in his corner every step of the way as he embarks on this journey with the Falcons."

Bowman wowed scouts at the NFL Combine, held in Indianapolis from Feb. 27 to March 2.

He ran a 4.42-second 40-yard dash and logged 17 reps on the bench press. Bowman’s total combine Relative Athletic Score, 69, is the ninth-best among draft-eligible safeties.

At 5-foot-10 and 192 pounds, Bowman is considered small for the safety position. But NFL.com insider Lance Zierlein believes the he will be productive in the NFL.

“He’s fluid and athletic to man up over the slot,” Zierlein said. “He’s meddlesome to float around looking for playmaking opportunities in zone coverage. He’ll struggle matching on big bodies and will get beat on jump balls downfield. He loves to rocket downhill to support the run but he lacks stopping power and will miss his share of tackles. His size and tackling inconsistency might be a concern for some teams, but he’s too instinctive and versatile to overlook as a safety/corner hybrid with starting talent.”

Bowman joins an Atlanta defense that allowed 224.5 passing yards per game in 2024. The Falcons went 8-9, finishing second place in the NFC South and narrowly missing the playoffs.

Bowman was Atlanta's fourth selection of the 2025 NFL Draft, as the Falcons selected linebacker Jalon Walker (Georgia), edge rusher James Pearce Jr., and safety Xavier Watt (Notre Dame). He was the eighth safety taken in the 2025 draft. Malaki Starks of Georgia was the lone safety taken in the first round at pick No. 27.

OU teammate Danny Stutsman was selected just six picks ahead of Bowman, as the New Orleans Saints drafted him at No. 112.

The first round of the draft was conducted Thursday, while rounds two and three were Friday. Rounds 4-7 unfold throughout Saturday.