It's official: Former Notre Dame commit Peyton Bowen signs with Oklahoma
The saga has finally ended. It’s over. Peyton Bowen has put pen to paper.
It’s not with Notre Dame — the school he was committed to all year. It’s not Oregon — the school he flipped to on National Signing Day.
The five-star safety from Denton (Texas) Guyer has committed to and signed with the Oklahoma Sooners. Yep, the program that didn’t even have a hat on the table yesterday when he flipped to Oregon. It’s been a wild saga, but it’s one that is now over.
Bowen originally committed to Notre Dame back on Jan. 1, 2022, but there had been speculation for several months that he would flip elsewhere with the likes of Oklahoma, Oregon and Texas A&M in pursuit of him. Consistent visits from Bowen to Oklahoma only stoked those flames. He had only been to Oregon once.
The recruitment has been all over the place in recent weeks (and months), with one day it seemed as if Notre Dame would sign him just to have Oklahoma look like the team to beat the next day. And then Oregon came out of nowhere in the week or so leading up to signing day and flipped him temporarily.
Notre Dame and Oklahoma kept in contact with Bowen despite his commitment as he hadn’t sent in his letter of intent. Both programs were looking to get him to change his mind and sign with them. It worked out for the Sooners.
Notre Dame still has signatures from two other four-star safeties in the 2023 class in Irvington (N.J.) High’s Adon Shuler and Cincinnati Lakota West’s Ben Minich.
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Peyton Bowen file
In helping Guyer reach the Texas 6A Division II state title game and a 14-2 overall record in 2021, Bowen recorded 67 tackles, seven interceptions (two returned for scores), 12 passes broken up, two punt return touchdowns and two kickoff return scores. He caught eight passes for 246 yards and three touchdowns at receiver. Bowen was named to the 2021 Texas District 5-6A first-team defense.
“He shows terrific ball skills, is known for his hard-hitting style of play, and has the versatility to play both free safety and cornerback,” Prep Football Report’s Tom Lemming said. “Bowen is also an electric punt returner. Super impressive, physical, and a good tackler, he shows good awareness and instincts and has a nose for the ball. Bowen is a very impressive ball player.”
During his senior season, Bowen was named the Texas District 5-6A most valuable player. According to the stats compiled by Blue & Gold, Bowen had 87 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 5 interceptions (2 returned for touchdowns), 3 passes broken up, 1 kickoff return touchdown and 4 punt returns for scores in 2022.
Bowen’s younger brother, Eli, is a class of 2024 cornerback who has already earned offers from the likes of Notre Dame, Oregon, Oklahoma, Texas A&M and Ole Miss.
The following is the On3 Scouting Summary for Bowen:
“Athletic safety who stars for one of the best high school defenses in the state of Texas. Pairs solid size with some of the better combine athleticism we’ve seen among 2023 safeties.Carries over the twitchy athleticism onto the field. Is a dynamic return man, taking several kicks to the house as a junior. Plays with outstanding range, showing the ability to cover from the hash to the boundary with ease.
“Has awareness in coverage to recognize route combinations. Shows ball skills in deep coverage in addition to playing sparingly on offense in key spots. Stood out in the state championship game as a junior, making a number of explosive plays with the ball in his hands. Projects as one of the best defensive backs in the state of Texas in the 2023 cycle.”
