Billy Bowman, one of Oklahoma’s newest acquisitions is garnering plenty of discussion as spring football kicks off in Norman. The four-star recruit has the position flexibility of playing both receiver and defensive back. Bowman was listed as a DB and today via zoom, defensive coordinator Alex Grinch confirmed.
“We won the recruiting battle within these walls which was huge for us … trying him [Billy Bowman] at nickel right now. Kind of that nickel, safety kind of role which I think kind of could be a good one for him.”
The freshman will be utilized in Grinch’s secondary. Bowman played on both sides of the football for Denton Ryan High school including slot receiver, nickel cornerback, and as a return specialist. He was disruptive on the gridiron in all three. Oklahoma is not as deep on the back end with the loss of Tre Brown and Tre Norwood to the NFL and departure of Brendan Radley-Hiles via transfer portal. New players will have to step up and Bowman is certainly an intriguing addition to the mix.
With offenses at the college and pro ranks becoming more and more pass-heavy, increased pressure and importance is placed on the secondary. Teams are playing more nickel packages to add in an extra defensive back to combat explosive passing attacks. Bowman will add rotational depth at nickel safety. He possesses the physicality, ball skills, proven track speed, and change-of-direction ability to become an impact in Grinch’s system.
He will be given opportunities to rise on the depth chart. Fellow Texan Latrell McCutchin also signed with OU during the early signing period in December and Grinch is impressed with the young players following their first practice in Crimson and Cream, describing to reporters “As good of a group as I’ve ever been around.”
Bowman is receiving quality reps already in Norman and given the nature of Oklahoma’s placement in the college football hierarchy, there are high expectations placed on him. Football is all about the “next man up” and Bowman is one to keep an eye on in Oklahoma’s secondary. After all, it is not the reps that count but the production between the hash marks.
