Why OU football safety Billy Bowman Jr. opted to return to Sooners for 2024 season

DALLAS — Billy Bowman Jr. wears his passion for OU football on his sleeve.

At SEC Media Days in Dallas earlier this month, the Denton, Texas, native was bombarded with questions about why he chose the Sooners over SEC teams like Texas A&M out of high school. Media members also inquired why an All-Big 12 First Team selection, and a safety who led the nation in pick sixes with three in 2023, returned to college for his fourth season.

Bowman wasn’t ready for his college experience to end and he felt at the end of last season that there was more left on the table for him in Norman.

“Ultimately, I want to win another national championship,” Bowman said. “When I came here, Oklahoma won six, seven conference championships in a row. Since I've been here, I haven't been to one. My goal is to win championships. We went to the college football playoffs four times also. I haven't been there also. So that's something I want to check off too.

“Ultimately coming back, getting my degree, so I won't have to worry about it in a future life. Also, I'm still a college student-athlete. Why rush the next stage of my life? It's going to be there. So coming back, having this time to spend with my teammates and things like that, it's why I came back.”

Bowman was selected to the preseason All-SEC first team and is one of OU’s veteran leaders entering this season. He started all 13 games last season, recording six interceptions, 63 tackles — including three for loss — and four pass breakups.

Sooners head coach Brent Venables chose Bowman, alongside quarterback Jackson Arnold and linebacker Danny Stutsman to accompany him at media days.

“I've brought three players with me today,” Venables said, “and I would be remiss if I just didn't thank them for standing alongside with me here today, representing what I believe is the strongest group of leadership and accountability that I've been a part of while I've been at the University of Oklahoma.

“The humility, the leadership, the work ethic, the toughness, their love for their teammates, and most importantly, their love for their university and their opportunity. I'm just really humbled that those guys are leaders in our locker room.”

More: Where does OU football stack up in SEC strength of schedule for 2024 season?

Bowman will help lead perhaps OU’s most experienced and talented defensive group in over a decade. The Sooners return critical contributors in the secondary, linebacking corps and made significant upgrades through recruiting and the transfer portal on the defensive line.

Bowman even took on a coaching role during spring practices with his own play sheet.

“Being able to just coach in spring ball really helped me a lot,” Bowman said. “It allowed me to sit back and see football in a different perspective, from a coach’s perspective. Seeing things that I wouldn’t necessarily see if I was on the field. Even with my teammates. Seeing how my teammates react, how they communicate. It really opens your eyes when you’re not out there and just coaching.”

While he might not be the most vocal OU player on the field, Bowman’s leadership is evident by the way he carries himself and represents the school that means so much to him.

He challenged himself in the spring to take on an even bigger leadership role than he’s held the past few seasons. Taking on newcomers like freshmen Jaydan Hardy and Reggie Powers was also a goal of Bowman’s.

“I embraced it full speed, head on," Bowman said. "I'm a guy, any room I step into, I'm going to work hard. I'm going to try to be that head guy, that top dog. Trying to be a leader on this team, it means a lot. I truly worked to be here where I am. A lot of people don't see that. They just see the results. But there's work put behind it.

“So it's great to be a leader of this team, and it's great to be able to create more leaders. That's what makes a leader great. You can create more leaders. I just want to leave Oklahoma better than I entered it, and I entered it in a pretty good situation. So I want to leave it better than I found it.”

And Bowman's leadership will be key.

“I lead by example," Bowman said. "I pride myself on doing the right things, being the first guy in everything I do. So when other people see those things from a guy who necessarily … I don’t talk much. But when I talk, I have a point and I’m trying to get it across to you. Take it seriously. So just having a different type of attitude, mindset, leading by example is how I like to be.”

More: How OU general manager Curtis Lofton's role shows evolution of college football

Asked about safeties he’s looking forward to seeing grow in 2024, Bowman pointed to sophomore Peyton Bowen, another player Bowman has taken under his wing. Bowen had a monster freshman campaign with 36 tackles, a sack, five pass breakups, a forced fumble and two blocked punts.

Bowman thinks Bowen, who appeared in all 13 games last season, is only scratching the surface of his potential.

“I truly believe he has the ability to be more elite than I do,” Bowman said. “He has so much talent in the world. Once everything clicks for him and he kind of grows up more, maybe that’ll happen once I’m gone next year by him realizing, It’s my time now. But he’s definitely a guy I’ve taken under my wing. A great young guy, a great football player. Obviously, he’s just continuing to grow.”

Bowman’s burning desire to bring championships back to OU fueled his decision to return for one final season. And surrounded by increased talent, this fall might be the best chance he’s had during his Sooners career.

He, along with the core leaders who were in Norman when Venables arrived following the 2021 season, have continued to buy in. They aren’t content with a 10-win season and are ready to take the conference they were picked to finish eighth in by storm.

“It brings a lot of confidence, especially bringing back experienced guys all over the defense, from the D-line, to the linebacker corps to the defensive backs,” Bowman said. “Going into this Year 3 will be another big jump. We're in control of our own destiny.

“I feel like we're doing a great job of continuing to keep the foot on the pedal, and we know we're not nowhere close to where we need to be.”

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Why OU football safety Billy Bowman Jr. opted to return to Sooners for 2024 season