Peyton Bowen
Oklahoma·6-0·198 lbScouting Report
A versatile defensive back who shines in man coverage.
The case for
- Named the best man-coverage safety in the class by Bleacher Report's scout
- Versatile background, having played nickel corner before moving to strong safety
- Ball production is rising, with 2 interceptions in 2025 and a pick-six against Texas in 2026
The worry
- Draft stock is split, with Walter Football projecting rounds 3 to 5 while Bleacher Report has him in its top 50
- Third of three safeties on Bleacher Report's board, behind Brauntae Johnson and KJ Bolden
- Only 3 career interceptions, none in his first two seasons
Full report
Peyton Bowen is a senior safety at Oklahoma, listed at 6-0 and 198 pounds, and he enters the 2027 cycle as a mid-range name with a wide spread of opinions. Bleacher Report's scouting department grades him 7.7, No. 42 on its top 50 board and third among its ranked safeties, and its scout names him the best man-coverage safety in the class. Silver and Black Pride flagged him as one to watch heading into 2026 and noted the move from nickel corner to a more traditional strong safety role, with his versatility as the key trait. Walter Football is cooler, ranking him ninth among safeties with a projected third to fifth round range. The production tells a similar story of a steady contributor who has found bigger moments lately: 36 tackles and five passes defended as a freshman, 47 tackles with two interceptions in 2025, then a pick-six against Texas in October that leads the SEC in interception return touchdowns this season. He has also doubled as a punt returner, averaging 8.8 yards on 26 career returns. The question for evaluators is how much of the coverage upside translates once he plays a full-time box role.
Every strength
- 7 passes defended in 2025 and 4 through five games in 2026
- Active in the box score, with 24 tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss through five games this season
- Shows some disruption, with a sack and a forced fumble in 2026
- Adds special teams value as a punt returner, top five in the SEC in return yards per return in 2024
- Experienced and durable, with 44 career games and 141 tackles
Every weakness
- Career pass rush production is light at 2.0 sacks
- Full-time strong safety role is new, so box and run-support reps are less proven
- Quiet in Oklahoma's 13-41 loss at Georgia with 3 tackles, so big-game tape is mixed
- Listed at 198 pounds, lighter than several safeties ranked near him
NFL Comps
The pros whose college production, size and testing looked most like his. The percent is how close.
Joshuah Bledsoe ’2177%
Kamari Ramsey ’2674%
Jordan Lucas ’1670%Dominique Barber ’0869%
Daijahn Anthony ’2469%Of his 20 closest coming out: 1 star, 3 starters, 10 backups, 6 didn't stick.
Draft Movement
Up 48 spots since Jun.
Where he sits on the consensus big board, each week since Jun. Up is better.
College Stats
| Season | Team | G | Tkl | TFL | Sacks | Hur | INT | PD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Oklahoma | 13 | 32 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| 2024 | Oklahoma | 13 | 33 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 2025 | Oklahoma | 13 | 46 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 7 |
| 2026 | Oklahoma | 5 | 24 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 |
| Career | 44 | 135 | 6 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 16 |
From our play-by-play, so the yards can sit a touch under the official box score.
College Market Value
Our model prices him at $553K on the open college market, built from production, pedigree, role and Oklahoma's program money. No credible deal has been reported for him this season.
Every P4 player priced, math public: College players & NIL · Roster spend
Awards & Honors
Bleacher Report best man-coverage safety in 2027 class; Bleacher Report top 50 board, No. 42 (7.7 grade); Leads SEC in interception return touchdowns in 2026; Top-five SEC punt return yards per return (2024); Watch list safety per Silver and Black Pride