5-star Notre Dame safety commit Peyton Bowen sets visit to Oregon

(Note: A previous version of this story stated that Bowen would take an official visit to Oregon, but the trip will be an unofficial visit.)

Five-star Denton (Texas) Guyer safety and Notre Dame commit Peyton Bowen will visit take an unofficial visit to Oregon this weekend, On3 has confirmed.

The visit is his first known trip to see the Ducks, who host No. 10 UCLA on Saturday in a major Pac-12 showdown.

“They have really been on me since that new coaching staff [started],” Bowen said. “They constantly text me, [co-defensive coordinator Matt] Powledge came down last week. It means a lot.”

Bowen had a relationship with Powledge dating back to his time at Baylor, and he also was recruited by head coach Dan Lanning when he was the defensive coordinator at Georgia.

Bowen committed to the Fighting Irish in January over a host of other programs, including Oklahoma, Texas A&M, Alabama, Ole Miss and more. But teams have remained in contact with him despite his pledge, especially the Sooners and Aggies. He has visited both programs multiple times this fall, including a pair of trips to Norman in September.

He added that he plans to make a final decision to either stick with his commitment to the Irish or reopen his recruitment before the Denton’s run in the state playoffs begins.

“I don’t know when real soon is, but I’m not going to let it rain out until my playoffs,” he said. “I’m going to try end it before state.”

Along with Notre Dame, Oregon, Texas and Oklahoma, Bowen added that he also still hears from Michigan and has been impressed by the Wolverines this year. He isn’t sure if he will be able to get to Ann Arbor before he makes a decision, however.

The 6-foot, 185-pounder is the No. 18 overall prospect in the 2023 class, according to the On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He ranks as the nation’s No. 2 safety and the No. 4 senior recruit in the state of Texas.

Peyton Bowen Scouting Summary

“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.” — Charles Power, On3 Director of Scouting and Rankings