Oklahoma S Billy Bowman Jr. 2025 NFL Draft Profile

Billy Bowman, safety 5-10, 191 pounds Oklahoma YEARTOTAL TACKLESINTERCEPTIONSPASS BREAKUPS20212202202260352023636420245433CAREER TOTALS1991114Billy Bowman Career Statistics Pros: Versatility Bowman is your ideal modern safety, having the ability to play both safety positions and in the nickel as well. His ability in man coverage, as well as intelligence in zone, allows him to make plays from varying alignments. Versatility […]

Ryan Roberts — National College Football Writer
Add as preferred source on Google
Billy Bowman Oklahoma Sooners
SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Billy Bowman, safety

5-10, 191 pounds

Oklahoma

YEARTOTAL TACKLESINTERCEPTIONSPASS BREAKUPS

2021

22

0

2

2022

60

3

5

2023

63

6

4

2024

54

3

3

CAREER TOTALS

199

11

14

Billy Bowman Career Statistics

Pros:

  • Versatility 
    Bowman is your ideal modern safety, having the ability to play both safety positions and in the nickel as well. His ability in man coverage, as well as intelligence in zone, allows him to make plays from varying alignments. Versatility is the name of Bowman’s game. 
  • Football IQ 
    Some players just have a knack for being in the right spots at the right time, and that describes Bowman perfectly. When he is in zone coverage, always appears to be in the right place. It allows him to make a ton of plays on the ground, including 11 career interceptions. 
  • Ball skills
    When Bowman had a chance to get his hands on the football, he typically came down with it. Bowman has a high propensity for turning the football over, and making big plays. He has even shown the ability to finish outside of his frame despite being a smaller player. 

Cons:

  • Size profile 
    Size is by far going to be the biggest negative to Bowman’s game. While he plays a tenacious style, there are going to be some deficiencies it brings. It might limit Bowman’s overall ability to play against bigger pass catchers, or play a ton as a true box player. 
  • Run game inconsistency 
    Missed tackles have been a huge problem for Bowman in the past, especially during the 2023 season. His angles of pursuit can be inconsistent, and he has no tackle radius to work with. Bowman has to have a more consistent approach to make up for his size deficiencies. 
  • Catch point limitations 
    Some bigger wide receivers are going to simply out leverage Bowman in the passing game. He lacks the reach to play outside of his frame consistently. His size is going to allow Bowman to get boxed out occasionally. 

Player Evaluation:

It is a tremendous 2025 NFL Draft safety class, and it has caused Bowman to go somewhat underrated so far. He possesses the ball skills, football IQ, and tenacity to make plays from varying alignments. Bowman has a great habit of being around the football, and making the most of it. 

Some teams are going to be hesitant of Bowman’s size, and consider him a bit of an outlier. You are going to have to bet on his other traits overcompensating for his lack of size. That could, in some ways, limit his usage in certain situations such as in the box or playing the post. 

Player Comparison:

Ar’Darius Washington (Baltimore Ravens)

Bowman is the Swiss Army knife that can do a lot for a prospective defense. He’s an odd body type for a deep safety but has the proactiveness to make plays on the back end, and the short area ability to play some nickel as well. 

A to Z Rankings:

A to Z Big Board Ranking: #83 overall, #5 safety 

A to Z Draft Grade: 7.15

Draft projection: third round 

Related Articles