Why OU football safety Billy Bowman Jr. chose to return to the Sooners for the 2024 season.
Billy Bowman Jr. is passionate about OU football and isn’t shy about showing it.
At SEC Media Days in Dallas earlier this month, the Denton, Texas native faced numerous questions about his decision to choose the Sooners over SEC rivals like Texas A&M after high school. Reporters were also curious why an All-Big First Team selection and the nation’s leader in pick-sixes with three in 2023 opted to return for his fourth season.
Bowman wasn’t ready to end his college career and felt there was still more for him to accomplish in Norman after last season.
“Ultimately, I want to win another national championship,” Bowman stated. “When I came here, Oklahoma won six or seven conference championships in a row. Since I’ve been here, I haven’t been to one. My goal is to win championships. We also went to the college football playoffs four times, and I haven’t experienced that either. So, that’s something I want to check off too.
“Coming back also allows me to get my degree, so I won’t have to worry about it in the future. Plus, I’m still a college student-athlete. Why rush into the next phase of my life? It will still be there. I wanted to come back and spend this time with my teammates—that’s why I returned.”
Bowman has been named to the preseason All-SEC first team and is one of OU’s veteran leaders heading into the season. He started all 13 games last year, recording six interceptions, 63 tackles (three for loss), and four pass breakups.
Sooners head coach Brent Venables selected Bowman, along with quarterback Jackson Arnold and linebacker Danny Stutsman, to join him at media days.
“I brought three players with me today,” Venables said. “I’d be remiss if I didn’t express my gratitude to them for standing alongside me, representing what I believe is the strongest group of leadership and accountability I’ve been a part of at the University of Oklahoma.
“The humility, leadership, work ethic, toughness, love for their teammates, and, most importantly, their love for the university and the opportunity they have here humbles me. I’m grateful to have these guys as leaders in our locker room.”
Bowman will help lead what could be OU’s most experienced and talented defensive group in over a decade. The Sooners are returning key contributors in the secondary and linebacker corps, while also making significant upgrades to the defensive line through recruiting and the transfer portal.
During spring practices, Bowman even took on a coaching role with his own play sheet.
“Coaching during spring ball really helped me,” Bowman said. “It allowed me to see football from a different perspective, which I wouldn’t have noticed while on the field. Observing how my teammates react and communicate opened my eyes to a lot.”
While Bowman may not be the most vocal player on the field, his leadership is evident in the way he carries himself and represents the university that means so much to him. He pushed himself in the spring to take on an even greater leadership role than he had in previous seasons, focusing on guiding newcomers like freshmen Jaydan Hardy and Reggie Powers.
“I embraced it fully and head-on,” Bowman said. “Whenever I enter a room, I strive to work hard and be a top leader. Being a leader on this team is important to me. I’ve put in the effort to be where I am today, and many don’t see that; they only see the results. There’s a lot of hard work behind the scenes.
“Being able to lead this team and help create more leaders is what truly defines a great leader. I want to leave Oklahoma in a better place than I found it, and I came in with a strong foundation. So, I aim to leave it better than I found it.”
Bowman’s leadership will be crucial.
“I lead by example,” Bowman explained. “I take pride in doing the right things and being the first to do everything. When others see that from someone who may not be vocal, they recognize the importance of my words when I do speak. I want them to take it seriously. Having a different attitude and mindset while leading by example is how I approach it.”
When asked about safeties he looks forward to seeing develop in 2024, Bowman highlighted sophomore Peyton Bowen, whom he has taken under his wing. Bowen had an impressive freshman year, tallying 36 tackles, one sack, five pass breakups, one forced fumble, and two blocked punts.
Bowman believes Bowen, who played in all 13 games last season, has immense potential yet to be fully realized.
“I truly believe he has the ability to be even more elite than I am,” Bowman said. “He possesses tremendous talent. Once everything clicks for him, maybe that will happen after I’m gone next year when he realizes it’s his time. He’s definitely someone I’ve taken under my wing—a great young player who continues to grow.”
Bowman’s strong desire to bring championships back to OU motivated his decision to return for one final season. With a more talented roster, this fall could be his best chance to achieve that during his time with the Sooners.
Alongside core leaders who have been in Norman since Venables arrived after the 2021 season, Bowman and his teammates are fully invested. They’re not satisfied with just a 10-win season and are prepared to make a significant impact in a conference where they were picked to finish eighth.
“This brings a lot of confidence, especially with experienced players returning across the defense—from the defensive line to the linebacker corps and defensive backs,” Bowman noted. “Going into Year 3 should bring another big jump for us. We’re in control of our own destiny.
“I feel like we’re doing a great job of keeping our foot on the gas, knowing we’re still not where we need to be.”
