5-star Oklahoma signee Peyton Bowen says paperwork error led him to Sooners
Denton (Texas) Guyer five-star safety Peyton Bowen led one of the most winding recruitments in recent memory last year.
After committing to Notre Dame in January 2022, he stayed in the Fighting Irish’s class for nearly a year, despite speculation that he would flip his commitment. The two predicted contenders were Texas A&M and Oklahoma, but on National Signing Day, he made the call for Oregon. Ultimately though, he never signed with the Ducks and instead ended up flipping to Oklahoma and signing with the Sooners two days later.
The back-and-forth created some serious drama around his recruitment, but Bowen said that was never intentional. The reason he ended up with the Sooners, he told the Tulsa World earlier this week, is because of a paperwork error.
“I sent (the letter of intent in) but we didn’t put the a.m. or p.m. on by accident,” Bowen said. “So I should be there right now, honestly. I wrote the time, but didn’t write a.m. or p.m. by it.”
When Oregon reached out to have him fix the error, Bowen never did and ultimately his heart led him to Oklahoma.
He joined a Sooners class that ranked among the top-10 nationally and featured two other five-star prospects — EDGE Adepoju Adebawore and quarterback Jackson Arnold, a high school teammate and close friend of his.
Peyton Bowen High School 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 and senior. Looks like one of the top kick returners nationally, regardless of cycle. 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. Instinctive in coverage, showing the ability to jump passes. Makes plays at a high rate on Friday nights, while facing top competition in Texas’ highest classification. Shows some physicality as a run defender but can continue improving in that area. Looks like one of the more explosive safety prospects in recent cycles.