OU Adds Five-Star Defensive Back Peyton Bowen to Signing Class

NORMAN — University of Oklahoma head football coach Brent Venables announced the signing of defensive back Peyton Bowen to OU's 2023 recruiting class on Thursday.

The addition of Bowen, a five-star prospect at Guyer High School in Denton, Texas, vaulted the Sooners to the No. 5 spot in the 247Sports national composite ranking.

The 6-0, 185-pound Bowen is the 25th player in OU's 2023 class and 15th defender. He joins quarterback and Guyer teammate Jackson Arnold and defensive lineman Adepoju Adebawore as five-star signees.

"We are proud to add Peyton Bowen to an already-elite 2023 OU signing class," said Venables. "Peyton played for one of the best high school football programs in the country at Denton Guyer. His talent, instincts, fundamentals and football acumen have helped him become one of the premier high school players in the country. He's an incredibly versatile athlete and weapon both in the return game and in the secondary. He is part of an elite group of seven defensive backs in our class that rivals any in the country."

Bowen is a consensus top-60 national recruit who is rated No. 10 overall by Rivals, No. 13 by On3, No. 14 by ESPN and No. 52 by 247Sports. He is ranked as the No. 2 safety in the class by ESPN, On3 and Rivals and No. 3 by 247Sports.

A 2022 Under Armour All-American, he is regarded as the No. 2 player in the state of Texas by ESPN, On3 and Rivals and No. 3 by 247Sports.

Bowen registered more than 200 tackles over his sophomore through senior seasons to go with 12 interceptions and 23 pass breakups. He earned district MVP honors as a senior when he helped Guyer to a 14-1 record and state semifinals appearance.