Hogs Haven takes a look at 2025 NFL Draft prospects that could contribute to the Commanders
Billy Bowman, Jr., S
School: Oklahoma | Conference: SEC
College Experience: Senior | Age: 22
Height / Weight: 5’10” / 192 lbs
Projected Draft Status: 3rd-4th Round
Player Comparison: Tyrann Mathieu/Jimmie Ward
College Statistics
| Tackles | Def Interceptions | Fumbles | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | Conf | Class | Pos | G | Solo | Ast | Comb | TFL | Sk | Int | Yds | Avg | IntTD | PD | FR | Yds | FRTD | FF | Awards |
| 2021* | Oklahoma | Big 12 | FR | DB | 11 | 14 | 8 | 22 | 2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | ||
| 2022* | Oklahoma | Big 12 | SO | DB | 11 | 37 | 23 | 60 | 2 | 0.0 | 3 | 11 | 3.7 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
| 2023* | Oklahoma | Big 12 | JR | DB | 13 | 37 | 26 | 63 | 3 | 0.0 | 6 | 238 | 39.7 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2024* | Oklahoma | SEC | SR | DB | 12 | 34 | 20 | 54 | 3 | 0.0 | 2 | 2 | 1.0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 43 | 1 | 0 | |
| Career | 47 | 122 | 77 | 199 | 10 | 0.0 | 11 | 251 | 22.8 | 3 | 14 | 3 | 43 | 1 | 2 | |||||
Player Overview
In Denton, Texas, Billy Bowman, Jr. was a standout two-way player. He had over 1,200 yards receiving, nearly 20 total touchdowns, and six turnovers forced, powering his high school to a state championship his senior year. The four-star recruit turned down offers from Notre Dame, Georgia, Penn State, Alabama, Texas, and several other schools to play for Oklahoma.
The Sooners put Bowman, Jr. on the field early. He started seven games as a true freshman. The next season, he would start nine games and earn All-Big 12 Honorable Mention after making 60 tackles and picking off three passes. Next season is when Bowman, Jr. broke out. After having the second most interceptions in college football, returning three of them for TDs, Bowman was named First-Team All-Big 12 and an All-American by CBS Sports. Bowman’s senior season was not quite as productive, but he earned Third-Team All-SEC honors after a third season producing multiple turnovers.
Strengths
- Fluid, twitchy athlete
- Great instincts, quickly triggers to the ball
- Footwork and movement skills to cover slot receivers
- Excellent ability to process plays in zone coverage
- Has the range to play single-high
- Turnover magnet
Weaknesses
- Small for either safety spot
- Lack of length makes it hard to wrap up and finish tackles
- Inconsistent stopping power as a hitter
- Will struggle at catch point against taller receivers
Let’s See His Work
Auburn RB Jarquez Hunter is a dude so I give Oklahoma DB Billy Bowman credit for the attempt lol pic.twitter.com/W4NFpZYduP
— Russell Brown (@RussNFLDraft) March 1, 2025
Billy Bowman Jr, underrated.
pic.twitter.com/gogm742azi— Patriot RedZone (@PatriotRedZone) January 28, 2025
Every year there’s a safety who is undersized but plays with elite instincts and quickness. They usually work out in the NFL.
This year it’s Billy Bowman.
Production was down this year but it’s not his fault opposing teams were afraid to target him.
— Brady Balhorn – BNB Football (@BnbFootball) January 28, 2025
Billy Bowman Jr on Being Undersized & Using it to His advantage | #billybowman #oklahoma #seniorbowl pic.twitter.com/cqUjZFEFM7
— East Coast Gridiron (@ECG_FB) February 3, 2025
The following teams have held formals with Oklahoma SAF Billy Bowman Jr, per sources.
• Commanders
• Ravens
• Falcons— Ryan Fowler (@_RyanFowler_) February 27, 2025
Billy Bowman is our next highest ranked safety, mid day 2, and look, this is fine. Not flashy analysis for a not flashy combine showing.
ras.football/ras-informat…
— Kent Lee Platte (Mathbomb) (@mathbomb.bsky.social) 2025-03-01T12:55:17.612Z
How He Fits on the Commanders
The safety play for the Commanders this past season was pretty good led by Jeremy Chinn and Quan Martin. While Martin is still on his rookie deal, Chinn will be a free agent. Supremely athletic backup Tyler Owens might be ready to step into a role on defense, but he didn’t play a lot last year. Darrick Forrest struggled to find the field last season and is also a free agent. Percy Butler, Jr., and Jeremy Reaves remain reserves on the roster for next season.
Billy Bowman’s most intriguing aspect is his versatility. With his instincts, athleticism, and playmaking ability, he could line up in the secondary from deep safety to slot defender. He’s the safety version of Mike Sainristil. Unfortunately, that also means he has size limitations that will impact his play. While he does so many things well, there are going to be times where he is too small to defend a pass or get a player to he ground. With the Commanders having several options at the position, is Bowman, Jr. someone the team can afford to target in the draft?