Billy Bowman’s 2024 season at safety was a highly successful and productive individual campaign, capping off his career with Oklahoma as one of the standout performers in the Sooners’ defensive backfield. Having initially considered declaring for the NFL Draft after his impressive 2023 season, Bowman opted for another year of development under safeties coach Brandon Hall, and he certainly made the most of it. By choosing to stay in Norman for his final college season, Bowman not only continued his growth as a player but also took on a more vocal leadership role in Oklahoma’s defense, contributing to the team’s overall success.
Although Bowman did not match the dazzling performance of his pick-six totals from 2023, his playmaking ability remained evident. He added a scoop-and-score touchdown against Missouri, which briefly seemed poised to be a game-changer for the Sooners, highlighting his knack for being around the ball in crucial moments. By the end of the season, Bowman finished with 54 total tackles, three tackles for loss, two interceptions, and two fumble recoveries, earning him All-SEC Third Team honors from the league’s coaches. His ability to be a playmaker in multiple facets of the game was a key part of the Oklahoma secondary’s success.
Bowman played a substantial role in the Sooners’ defense, logging 745 defensive snaps during the season, the most of any safety on the team, according to Pro Football Focus. Despite a defensive unit that faced its share of challenges, particularly in the secondary, Bowman’s steadiness and leadership helped keep the group grounded and capable of competing in the SEC.
However, Bowman was not the only safety to emerge as a consistent contributor in 2024. Robert Spears-Jennings, a junior, took a significant step forward in his development under the tutelage of Brent Venables and Brandon Hall. Spears-Jennings was a revelation this season, grading out as Oklahoma’s best safety, earning a solid 78.7 overall grade and an outstanding 93.1 grade for his performance against the run. His tackling ability and consistency made him a staple of the defense, as he played 599 snaps, according to PFF.
In his third season at Oklahoma, Spears-Jennings set new career highs in nearly every statistical category, including total tackles (66), tackles for loss (five), sacks (2.5), interceptions (one), fumble recoveries (two), and forced fumbles (four). Spears-Jennings proved to be a versatile and reliable asset, always in position to make plays against the run and contributing in coverage when needed. Standing at 6-foot-1 and weighing 219 pounds, Spears-Jennings was one of the hardest hitters on the team, adding an element of physicality to the Sooners’ defense. His strong play allowed him to share the field alongside Bowman for a majority of the snaps, creating a solid and dependable safety duo.
With Bowman’s departure at the end of the season, the door opens for sophomore Peyton Bowen to take on a larger role in 2025. Bowen, who played 394 defensive snaps this year, experienced a bit of a dip in his production from his true freshman season. Despite having two fewer tackles than the previous year, Bowen still managed to contribute in a meaningful way, recording 34 tackles and two tackles for loss. With more opportunities in 2025, Bowen will likely continue to develop as one of the cornerstones of Oklahoma’s secondary.
In addition to the returning players, the Sooners have some promising young talents who will be looking to carve out significant roles in 2025. True freshmen Jaydan Hardy, Reggie Powers, and Michael Boganowski were all used sparingly in 2024, but each showed flashes of promise when given the chance to play. Hardy, in particular, was noted for his intelligence by linebacker Kobie McKinzie during the team’s preparations for the Armed Forces Bowl, which is a positive indication of Hardy’s potential moving forward. Boganowski, meanwhile, stood out as a physical presence whenever he was on the field. His 68 defensive snaps this season may not have been extensive, but his physicality and aggressiveness were clear. Powers, though underused in 2024, is another player that could benefit from additional development and playing time in the coming years.
Despite the potential of these young safeties, the overall performance of the secondary as a whole did have its struggles in 2024. Oklahoma’s secondary, while solid in the run defense, did allow too many big passing plays. Miscommunications between the cornerbacks and safeties were apparent at times, particularly in games against teams with talented SEC receivers like Tennessee and Auburn, leading to several chunk plays through the air. This was a lingering issue throughout the season and was a reflection of the growing pains the defense experienced in its first year fully entrenched in the SEC.
While all of Oklahoma’s safeties were effective in run defense, which helped the team limit opposing running backs, the secondary as a whole will need to improve its coverage in the air moving forward. In a pass-heavy SEC environment, the ability to defend the pass is paramount. With the departures of several key players, including Bowman, the secondary will need to come together quickly in 2025 under Hall’s tutelage to rectify the mistakes of the past season.
Looking ahead, Oklahoma’s safety unit appears to have a strong foundation for the future, with Bowman’s leadership and playmaking ability leaving behind a solid legacy. Spears-Jennings’ breakout season will provide valuable experience and leadership in 2025, and Bowen’s development will be crucial to the continued success of the secondary. The young talents in Hardy, Powers, and Boganowski will have opportunities to prove themselves in bigger roles next season, which will help the Sooners continue to build depth at the safety position.
With everyone but Bowman returning, Brandon Hall’s challenge will be to continue developing these players and ensuring that they are ready for the demands of SEC competition. The defensive backfield must grow from the lessons of 2024, where miscommunications and inconsistent coverage hurt the unit at times. If the safeties can make strides in coverage and continue their solid run defense, the Sooners will have a much more complete defensive backfield in 2025.
In conclusion, the 2024 season for Oklahoma’s safeties was defined by the leadership and performance of Billy Bowman, with significant contributions from Robert Spears-Jennings and Peyton Bowen. While the group had its issues, especially in pass coverage, there is a great deal of optimism surrounding the future of the position. With key players returning and young talents ready to step up, the Sooners’ safety unit is poised for continued development and growth in 2025.
