For Oklahoma Sooners fans, Billy Bowman Jr. has been a game-changer in the secondary, a safety with a knack for picking off passes and delivering bone-rattling hits that echo through stadiums. When the Atlanta Falcons nabbed him with the 118th overall pick in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, it was a moment to celebrate—a Sooner heading to the pros to show the NFL what OU’s defense is made of. From his high school days in Denton, Texas, to his electrifying career in Norman, Bowman’s journey is all about instinct, versatility, and a love for the big play. Let’s break down the story of the kid who’s about to bring his playmaking magic to the ATL.
Hailing from Denton, Texas, Bowman was a two-way star at Billy Ryan High School, tearing it up as both a defensive back and a wide receiver. As a senior, he hauled in 86 catches for 1,207 yards and 15 touchdowns on offense while locking down opponents on defense. A four-star recruit, he had offers from Texas, Georgia, and LSU but chose Oklahoma, drawn to the Sooners’ tradition of producing NFL-caliber defensive backs like Roy Williams and Andre Woolfolk. That decision launched a college career that turned him into one of the most dynamic safeties in college football, with a highlight reel that’s pure gold for OU fans.
At Oklahoma, Bowman didn’t waste time making his mark. As a true freshman in 2021, he started seven of 11 games, racking up 22 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, and a forced fumble, showing he could hang with the big dogs right away. By 2022, he was a full-time starter, logging 60 tackles, three interceptions, and five pass breakups despite missing two games with an injury. His junior year in 2023 was when he went supernova: six interceptions, three returned for touchdowns, and a school-record 238 interception return yards, earning him first-team All-American honors from CBS Sports/247Sports. In 2024, Oklahoma’s first year in the SEC, he started all 12 regular-season games, adding 54 tackles, two picks, two fumble recoveries (one for a score), and third-team All-SEC honors. With 199 career tackles, 11 interceptions, and four total touchdowns, Bowman’s nose for the ball was unmatched, and his synergy with teammates like Danny Stutsman made OU’s defense a nightmare for offenses.
When the Falcons called his name on draft day, it was a match made in football heaven. Atlanta’s defense, which gave up 224.5 passing yards per game in 2024, needed a playmaker in the secondary, and Bowman fits the bill. At 5-foot-10, 192 pounds, he’s not the biggest safety, but his 4.42-second 40-yard dash and explosive instincts make him a terror in coverage. The Falcons plan to start him at nickel, a role that plays to his strengths—covering slot receivers, jumping routes, and blitzing off the edge. He joins a crowded defensive back room with Jessie Bates III, Jordan Fuller, and Dee Alford, but coaches Jerry Gray and Jeff Ulbrich see him as a versatile weapon who can compete for snaps early. His 11 interceptions since 2022 rank second among safeties, and his three pick-sixes tie him for the national lead over that span. This is a guy who doesn’t just defend passes—he turns them into points.
Bowman’s game is all about big plays, but it’s his football IQ that sets him apart. In Oklahoma’s 4-2-5 scheme, he thrived in zone coverage, baiting quarterbacks into bad throws and pouncing on the ball like a hawk. His film is a masterclass in anticipation: watch him read a quarterback’s eyes on a 100-yard pick-six against Iowa State in 2023 or lay out Missouri’s Luther Burden on a crucial fourth-down stop in 2024. He’s not afraid to mix it up in run support either, flying downhill to blow up plays, even if his tackling can be inconsistent. Scouts note his missed tackle rate hovered around 25% in college, and his smaller frame can struggle against bigger receivers on jump balls. But in today’s NFL, where coverage skills are gold, Bowman’s flaws are outweighed by his ability to flip the field with one play.
What makes Bowman a fan favorite goes beyond the stats. This is a guy who gave everything to OU, starting 41 of 47 career games and earning the Don Key Award, the program’s highest honor, in 2024. He was a tone-setter, a leader who rallied his teammates through Oklahoma’s transition to the SEC. Off the field, he’s engaged to former OU softball star Jayda Coleman, and their love story has Sooner Nation rooting for them like it’s a Red River showdown. His competitive fire—described by coach Brent Venables as “one of the most intense I’ve ever coached”—is the kind of intangibles that’ll win over Falcons fans fast. Atlanta’s defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich was stunned Bowman was still available at pick 118, calling him “another excellent pickup” and hinting at a plan to unleash him in sub-packages early.
In Atlanta, Bowman’s got a chance to shine in a division loaded with young quarterbacks like Bryce Young and Spencer Rattler, his former OU teammate now with the Saints. The Falcons, coming off an 8-9 season and a near-playoff miss, are building a defense that can compete in the NFC South. Bowman’s role at nickel fits perfectly in a league where teams spend more time in dime and nickel packages than base defenses. His speed and hand-eye coordination make him a nightmare for slot receivers, and his knack for turnovers could pair beautifully with Bates, one of the NFL’s best ball-hawking safeties. If he shores up his tackling, he’s got the tools to be a starter, not just a rotational piece. Picture him picking off a pass in the Mercedes-Benz Stadium and taking it to the house—that’s the kind of splash play he’s built for.
For Sooners fans, seeing Bowman in Falcons red and black is a proud moment, even if it means losing a piece of OU’s soul. He’s the second Sooner drafted in 2025, joining Stutsman in the NFC South, which means Oklahoma fans have plenty of reasons to watch that division on Sundays. His 14 pass breakups, nine tackles for loss, and three fumble recoveries show a player who’s always around the ball, and his four career touchdowns are a reminder of his game-changing flair. As he heads to rookie minicamp in May, Bowman’s ready to prove he’s more than a Day 3 pick. He’s a kid from Denton who turned down Texas to bleed crimson and cream, and now he’s carrying that same fire to Atlanta. OU fans know one thing for sure: when Billy Bowman’s on the field, you better keep your eyes on the ball, because he’s coming for it.
