Billy Bowman Jr.
Billy Bowman Jr.  S  Oklahoma | NFL Draft 2025 Souting Report - Portrait Image
Billy Bowman Jr.
Height
5-10
Weight
192
College
Oklahoma
Position
S
Class
Senior
Home town
Denton, TX
83.4/100
Player Rating
20
PositionRank (DB)
4.42
FortyYD Time
Interceptions
2
Interception YDS
2
Passes Defensed
3
Tackles
55
Sol tackles
34

Billy Bowman Jr. S Oklahoma | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report

Billy Bowman Jr. S Oklahoma
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report

ROLE: Zone Slot/Nickel Safety
Last Updated: 03/01/2025
Draft Year: 2025
40 time: 4.42 seconds (92%*)
Age: 22.1 DOB: 01/29/2003
Bowl Invite: Senior Bowl
Measurables:
Height: 5-10 (10%*) Weight: 192 (15%*)
Hands: 8 5/8 (18%*) Arm: 28 1/2 (3%*) Span: 69 5/8 (1%*)
Forty: 4.42 (C) (92%*) Ten YD: 1.52 (C) (83%*)
Vert: 35.5 (C) (49%*) Broad: 123 (C) (65%*)
Bench: 17 (C) (51%*)
0% 100%
(C) - NFL Combine (P) - Pro Day (O) - Other (HS) -Estimated from High School Combine
For an explanation of how the (HS) data is calculated see this article
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ROLE: Zone Slot/Nickel Safety
Last Updated: 03/01/2025
Draft Year: 2025
40 time: 4.42 seconds (92%*)
Age: 22.1 DOB: 01/29/2003
Bowl Invite: Senior Bowl
Measurables:
0% 100%
Height: 5-10 (10%*) Weight: 192 (15%*)
Hands: 8 5/8 (18%*) Arm: 28 1/2 (3%*)
Span: 69 5/8 (1%*)
Forty: 4.42 (C) (92%*)
10Yd: 1.52 (C) (83%*)
Vert: 35.5 (C) (49%*) Broad: 123 (C) (65%*)
Bench: 17 (C) (51%*)
(C) - NFL Combine (P) - Pro Day (O) - Other
(HS) -Estimated from High School Combine
For an explanation of how the (HS) data is calculated see this article
SHARE THIS PROFILE:
Overall Rating: 83.4 / 100
Average rating of opposition Offense player has faced
Offense Rating:
81%
Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects.
QB Rating When targeted: 74.0
Tackling:
50%
Run Defense:
70%
Coverage:
78%
Zone:
74%
Man/Press:
77%
DRAFT PROJECTION: 4th
Overall Rank: #115 Position rank: #20
College Games: 45 College Snaps: 2499
Grade: 4 ESPN  Stars 4 ESPN  Stars ESPN RATING: 85/100
Grade: 247 Sports 4  Stars 247 Sports 97 Stars 247 RATING: 97/100
Grade: 4 Stars 4 Stars RIVALS RATING: 6.0 (98%)
Player Comparison* (Similarity level)
Cam Taylor-Britt - Nebraska
85%
Sydney Brown - Illinois
78%
Kamren Kinchens - Miami
74%
Draft Profile: Bio
A ball-hawking dynamo from Denton, Texas, Billy Bowman Jr. has been a defensive playmaker since his high school days at Ryan HS. The former consensus four-star recruit chose Oklahoma over powerhouse programs like Georgia, LSU, and Texas, where he quickly made his presence felt with seven starts as a true freshman. Bowman's journey from two-way high school star to defensive standout accelerated during his four seasons in Norman, where he started 41 of 47 career games and evolved into one of college football's premier ballhawks.

Bowman's legacy at Oklahoma centers around his extraordinary nose for the football. In 2023, he erupted with six interceptions, three of which he returned for touchdowns while setting a school record with 238 interception return yards, earning CBS Sports/247Sports first-team All-American honors. Rather than declare for the draft, Bowman returned for his senior season as Oklahoma transitioned to the SEC, where he started all 12 games and maintained his playmaking reputation. His 2024 campaign included 54 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, two interceptions, two fumble recoveries, and a highlight-reel 43-yard scoop-and-score against Missouri. His leadership in Oklahoma's defensive backfield during their inaugural SEC season earned him Third Team All-SEC honors and the program's prestigious Don Key Award.

His 2024 film reveals continued growth as a complete defender – from his season-high eight tackles (seven solo) at Auburn to his momentum-shifting interception against rival Texas in the Red River Showdown. While his production stands out, so does his versatility – Oklahoma deployed him as a deep safety, in the slot, and even as a sub-package linebacker in Brent Venables' complex defensive scheme.
Scouting Report: Strengths
  • Excellent ball production with exceptional instincts to read quarterbacks' intentions and jump passing lanes at precisely the right moment.
  • Possesses genuine track speed with a blazing 4.42 forty time, which translates directly to his range and closing ability in game situations.
  • Displays fluid hip transitions and impressive change of direction ability when breaking on underneath routes from zone coverage.
  • Uses high-level field vision to identify route concepts quickly, consistently putting himself in position to make plays on the football.
  • Impressive closing burst when driving downhill, attacks throwing windows with confidence and timing that reflects his receiver background.
  • Offers genuine scheme versatility having played significant snaps at multiple positions, including deep safety, nickel, and dime linebacker.
  • Shows natural football intuition with uncanny ability to navigate traffic and arrive at the catch point before the receiver can secure possession.
  • Brings value on special teams with nearly 400 career snaps, giving him immediate utility while developing into a defensive contributor.
  • Demonstrates competitive toughness with a fearless playing style that belies his smaller frame, never shying away from contact situations.
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
  • Size limitations show up when matching against bigger tight ends who can box him out at the catch point or bump him off leverage points.
  • Tackling technique is alarmingly inconsistent with a career missed tackle rate exceeding 25%, often dropping his head and leaving his feet.
  • Tends to get overaggressive pursuing run fits, creating cutback lanes when he loses gap discipline in his eagerness to make plays.
  • Lacks the prototypical length for the safety position, limiting his catch radius when playing the ball and tackle radius when attempting to wrap up.
  • Can appear hesitant when approaching runners in the alley, sometimes settling for low cut tackles rather than squaring up with proper form.
Scouting Report: Summary
Bowman brings a fascinating blend of ball-hawking instincts and positional versatility that will intrigue NFL defensive coordinators. When you watch him operate in zone coverage, his anticipation jumps off the screen – the way he baits quarterbacks, reads their eyes, and breaks on the ball with conviction. This playmaking knack is what separates him from other mid-round safety prospects. The flip side reveals a defender who needs significant technical refinement against the run, where his aggressive mindset doesn't always translate to consistent tackling production. His ranking outside the top 100 reflects this imbalance, though teams will covet his proven turnover production.

Defensive schemes that emphasize two-high safety looks will maximize Bowman's coverage strengths while minimizing his exposure in run support. He flashes enough physicality to suggest development potential, but early in his career, he'll need to be deployed strategically. The blazing 4.42 speed gives him legitimate range across the field, allowing him to cover ground and attack the ball in flight. Teams will fall in love with his football IQ and competitive fire, both of which show up repeatedly on film – whether he's slipping blocks in the slot or jumping a crossing route from deep middle.

The difference between Bowman developing into a solid starter versus a situational player hinges on his tackling technique. He flies around with an edge that defensive coaches love, showing genuine swagger in coverage and willingness to mix it up physically. With the right coaching staff that can harness his natural instincts while improving his fundamentals, Bowman could outperform his draft position considerably.
Written By:
Eli Cooper (Big 12)

Billy Bowman Jr. percentiles vs other Safetys (NFL Combine historically - higher value represents better perfomance)

How other scouting services rate Billy Bowman Jr. (Overall Rank)

All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
85.9
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
20.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance. For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.

*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.