Four-star safety Peyton Bowen commits to Notre Dame football

Less than an hour before Notre Dame kicked off against Oklahoma State in the Fiesta Bowl, the Fighting Irish added a big commitment to their 2023 class.

Denton (Texas) Guyer safety Peyton Bowen announced his pledge to Notre Dame, choosing head coach Marcus Freeman’s program over his other finalists Alabama, Oklahoma and USC.

“I processed everything and looked at all of the assets they have,” Bowen said about picking Notre Dame. “Academically and with the coaching staff — they recruit me differently compared to all of the other schools. It felt like they wanted me the most.”

Freeman, safeties coach Chris O’Leary and defensive director of recruiting Chad Bowden led the charge in the Fighting Irish landing the four-star recruit. Along with daily text message contact, Notre Dame’s staff would have a FaceTime or phone call with Bowen two or three times per week.

“We’d talk about where I’d play on this team, the schemes I fit in and how early I’d be playing,” Bowen added. “I’m close with their coaches. I was talking about golfing with Coach Freeman when I come back up there. Coach O’Leary tells me how I’m a part of their family. Coach Chad is like a best friend to me.”

Bowen informed the coaching staff a few days before Christmas Day that he’d be committing to Notre Dame. He becomes Notre Dame’s third defensive back pledge in the 2023 cycle, joining Las Vegas Bishop Gorman cornerback Justyn Rhett and Irvington (N.J.) High safety Adon Shuler.

“I was on the phone with Coach Freeman, and I told him that he didn’t have to recruit anymore safeties because I’m your guy,” Bowen recalled.

Oklahoma was Notre Dame’s main competition for the 6-0, 180-pounder, but former Sooners’ coaches Lincoln Riley, Alex Grinch and Roy Manning left for USC. Couple that with the fact that Freeman was elevated to head coach and O’Leary and Bowden remained on staff, and Notre Dame became the rather easy choice for Bowen.

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“It made me feel better that I had such a good connection with the head coach now,” Bowen said. “If he and the other coaches would’ve left, then that would’ve been terrible.”

Bowen will get right to work in recruiting two of his high school teammates to join him in South Bend. Quarterback Jackson Arnold and cornerback Ryan Yaites are both key targets for the Irish and have been on campus multiple times.

“It’d be amazing to play with them at Notre Dame,” Bowen stated. “I already have a great connection with Jackson and Ryan on and off the field. It’d be cool to have someone to travel up there with. It’d be amazing.”

Bowen is Notre Dame’s eighth commitment in the 2023 class, which is heavy on the defensive side of the ball with six verbal pledges.

“I’m really excited,” Bowen said. “I knew this opportunity wouldn’t be here if I waited too long. Notre Dame only had a couple defensive back spots left. I didn’t want anyone else to take this opportunity.”

The Peyton Bowen File

The On3 Consensus — a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies — has Bowen ranked as the No. 8 player in Texas and the No. 4 safety and No. 53 overall prospect in the nation.

On3’s own rankings have Bowen ranked as the No. 6 recruit in Texas, and the No. 5 safety and No. 50 overall prospect in the country.

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.

Bowen’s younger brother, Eli, is a class of 2024 cornerback who has already earned offers from Colorado and LSU.