Peyton Bowen explains how he overcame nerves in Oklahoma spring game

Freshman safety Peyton Bowen is expected to have a big impact on the Oklahoma Sooners defense. Fans were able to get their first look at the highly touted youngster and the Oklahoma spring game, where he was excellent, intercepting quarterback Dillon Gabriel.

After the game, Bowen explained how he overcame his nerves for the spring game.

“Once you’re out there, like you get your first hit, I feel like the nerves kind of fade a little bit,” Peyton Bowen said. “But, everyone’s nervous. If you don’t love the game, you’re not nervous. If you love the game, like really passionate about football, everyone’s nervous — even the greats.”

A five-star recruit in the Class of 2023 from Denton, Texas, Bowen was one of the most sought after recruits in the country. Notre Dame and Oregon both fought hard for him before the 15th ranked player overall in his class chose Oklahoma.

“So, I mean, you just kind of try and use that and go out there and keep playing your game.”

Peyton Bowen also broke down his play during the game.

“It’s football at the end day, but the nerves get to you,” Bowen said. “You’re playing on a bigger stage than you have your whole high school career. You’re stepping out there with a new sense, like a new environment. I feel like I stepped out there and did as well as I could. I mean, I could have done way better in my opinion. But, I stepped out there and did a really good job.”

Ted Roof praised Peyton Bowen

Oklahoma defensive coordinator Ted Roof praised the play of Peyton Bowen while breaking down the team’s spring game.

“We had some big plays, and you’re talking about the interception with Peyton, he was in phase, he did a great job locating the ball, and he went up and high pointed it and made the pick,” Roof said.

“Football’s such a game of inches with a small margin for error and when you go up and make those plays, as not making them, that’s a big difference in a game, a season, a whole deal. So pleased with him, he’s had a great spring and excited to be taking the next step and moving forward.”