Brent Venables couldn’t hold back his praise for elite Sooners’ superstar who saved Oklahoma’s season ‘He’s an assassin’
Peyton Bowen is having one of the best seasons of any player in the country, and he should be rewarded
The Oklahoma Sooners have pulled off one of the most memorable seasons in recent history, orchestrating perhaps the single greatest month of Oklahoma football to take down the Tennessee Volunteers, Alabama Crimson Tide, Missouri Tigers, and LSU Tigers all in a row. An undefeated November has put the Sooners in the College Football Playoff, making it for the first time in the Brent Venables era.
They wouldn’t be here without the play of their defense. While there are several impact players and playmakers who have made key plays throughout the month, one player has consistently risen above the rest to deliver: safety Peyton Bowen.
Bowen has been a sensation and deserves a nod as an All-American safety come the end of the season.
Peyton Bowen should be an All-American
Simply put: Oklahoma wouldn’t be in this stage without Bowen’s efforts defensively. When we talk about All-Americans, they should be game-changers, and I’d make a case that only Caleb Downs has a better resume of plays than Bowen has had all season long.
Against Tennessee, Bowen recorded an interception that gave Oklahoma the lead just before halftime. In the game against Alabama, Bowen helped force several punts and then recorded the game-winning PBU to clinch the win for the Sooners. In the Missouri game, he blocked a field goal just before half. Saving the best for last against LSU, Bowen recorded an interception in the end zone that might have saved Oklahoma’s season before turning around and recording the game-winning PBU at the end.
He’s been a disruptive force multiplier for the Sooners. His six forced incompletions sit atop the SEC, and Bowen has evolved into the next stage of a player in every facet.
After the win against LSU, Brent Venables couldn’t hold back when talking about Bowen, raving about his improvement as a player and person.
“What an impact he’s had this year. He couldn’t lead a year ago and as a freshman. He’s always been a great human being, but he wasn’t able to lead. Man, he has been an assassin. I think he learned from Billy [Bowman], and he and Robert Spears-Jennings together, they’ve brought out the best in each other. He’s playing his best ball since he’s been here, without question.”
Venables is right. Bowen has been an assassin, delivering the killing blow to every team the Sooners has drawn over the last month. While he may not be rewarded with an All-American, he has no doubt earned that right in my mind.
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