Crimson Countdown: No. 2 Billy Bowman

The Crimson Countdown is officially on for the 2024 Oklahoma football season. Fans have been waiting for what feels like forever with this one. The Sooners are finally and officially joining the SEC.

The 2023 season was a rebound one for head coach Brent Venables , getting the program back to its standard. OU went 10-3 in Venables’ second season, now it’s time for year No. 3.

Every day as we get closer to kickoff, SoonerScoop.com will count down the days with you. Starting with No. 99 and working our way to No. 0, we’ll be there every step of the way.

Crimson Countdown: No. 2 Billy Bowman

2023 stats : Started all 13 games, 63 tackles, three tackles for loss, six interceptions, three pick-sixes, four PBUs.

2024 outlook :

Last dance, time to go out with a bang. Maybe in years past, Bowman would have declared for the NFL Draft. Heck, he almost certainly would have been selected.

But the NFL can wait. One more season at OU, one more chance to try to accomplish some individual and team goals. And do it in the SEC.

Bowman, along with Danny Stutsman, is the heart and soul of the defense. He gets it, everything. Being a leader, being a teammate, being a star. Someone who embraces the moment, seizes it.

It’ll actually be really tough for Bowman to outdo the individual numbers of 2023, but he might be able to find a way to have an even bigger impact in 2024. If someone can, it’s Bowman.

2024 safety outlook

Safety coach Brandon Hall has done as a good a job as anyone building his room. Oklahoma has an impressive safety room led by senior Billy Bowman, who opted to put the NFL on hold for one more year in Norman. Playing next Bowman will likely be Peyton Bowen and Robert Spears-Jennings. Both had impressive 2023 seasons and good spring practices, making them the frontrunners to start alongside Bowman. But OU has a trio of freshman — Jaydan Hardy, Reggie Powers and Michael Boganowski — vying for roles next season.

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