Next Generation, Part 3: Which Five Freshmen Will Impact Oklahoma in 2023?
Part three of a series in which AllSooners examines five true freshmen who should make an impact on Oklahoma’s 2023 football season:
Peyton Bowen
Peyton Bowen wasted no time announcing himself to the Sooner faithful.
Early in the first quarter of the 2023 Spring Game, Bowen tracked an errant Dillon Gabriel pass down the sideline, holding off receiver LV Bunkley-Shelton to haul in an interception.
“I think that's as good of a play as I've seen a guy,” OU offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby said after the spring game. “He immediately gets his eyes back on the ball and becomes the receiver and makes an unbelievable play.”
The play was exactly what would be expected of a 5-star defensive back, but it’s also what’s been missing from Oklahoma’s secondary for years.
OU’s passing defense was dreadful in 2022.
The Sooners allowed 273.5 yards per game in Brent Venables’ first trip back through the Big 12, which ranked No. 119-overall last year.
That’s where Bowen comes in.
For More
Next Generation, Part 1: P.J. Adebawore
Next Generation, Part 2: Jackson Arnold
Though he’s just a freshman, Bowen can immediately raise the talent ceiling in the secondary, especially one needing to fill snaps taken by Justin Broiles, Trey Morrison and Damond Harmon at safety last year.
As a result of the defensive shortcomings, the Sooners were aggressive in the transfer portal, pursing a number of bodies the coaching staff hoped would upgrade the roster.
Veteran Texas Tech safety Reggie Pearson was one of those additions, but he alone won’t be able to make up for the lost snaps.
Bowen was physically impressive throughout spring football, showing he clearly belongs on a college football field, but that wasn’t what stood out to Venables.
“Football’s easy for him,” Venables said in February. “The schemes are easy for him. He comes from a very good program where he's been coached incredibly well, with both terminology, systems, diversity within their schemes — they just play one call.
“And so he understands ball and he finds the football. He's got a tremendous skill set.”
That understanding of the game unfolding in front of him will give Bowen a leg up, allowing him to crack the rotation on the back end of Oklahoma’s defense alongside much more experienced defensive backs in Key Lawrence, Billy Bowman and Pearson.
But the Sooners almost didn’t end up with Bowen.
A long-time Notre Dame commitment, Bowen’s ties to high school teammate and OU quarterback Jackson Arnold always casted doubts that Bowen would actually end up in South Bend.
And on signing day, it appeared the rumors were correct and Bowen flipped his commitment — only Bowen declared he would be an Oregon Duck, not an Oklahoma Sooner.
A paperwork error delayed Bowen’s official signing, leaving the door open for Venables and company .land they took advantage.
In the end, Bowen enrolled with his teammate at Oklahoma, delivering a difference maker for a maligned secondary.
Under Armor All-American Peyton Bowen eventually signed with Oklahoma after initially flipping his Notre Dame commitment to Oregon.
John E. Hoover / AllSooners
“I think he showed a lot of maturity in doing what he wanted to do at the end of the day,” OU safeties coach Brandon Hall said. “As you know, we've all got to make grown-up decisions, and that won't be the last one he's made.
“But I definitely think it's something that he learned from. I think he's at peace.”
Regardless of how he arrived in Norman, Bowen is poised to contribute in any way the coaching staff will allow him.
In high school at Denton Guyer, Bowen not only impacted the game by forcing turnovers defensively, but he was devastating on special teams in the return game.
Though he wasn’t able to return his interception in the spring game for positive yardage, he’s shown he’s a threat in the open field — so long as he’s in the right spot to pounce on mistakes from opposing quarterbacks.
Adjusting to college had its challenges, but after spring practice Bowen is confident he’ll be able to translate his skillset to Norman this fall.
“I feel like coming from 6A in Texas, it was a little bit faster,” he said after the spring game. “More complicated calls, but I feel like it slowed down for me after a little bit and I got into a groove and kind of felt the rhythm.”
Bowen won’t have to go it alone either, as he’ll get plenty of guidance from Bowman, Lawrence and Pearson along the way.
The mental makeup of the freshman is what really excites those around the program, however, and Bowen’s instincts will allow him to see the field early and often in 2023.
“His best football is certainly in front of him,” Venables said. “Really talented and instinctive. A good job of anticipating. He doesn’t panic as a player.
“He’s like that quarterback that no matter what kabuki you’re throwing at him, he’ll be calm in the pocket and be patient and keep his eyes on the field, and that’s how Peyton is as a safety.”
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