Film Don't Lie | Peyton Bowen
New year, new commit added to an already loaded class on defense in 2023.
Notre Dame’s staff is starting off the year with a BOOM after safety Peyton Bowen committed to the Irish. An elite prospect in this cycle, he joins Adon Shuler in what could be a dynamic duo on the back end of the defense.
Height: 6’1”
Weight: 185
Projected Position: Safety
ISD Grade: 94 (4-star)
National Average Grade: 94.2 (4-star)
What he does best:
If a player can’t find the football in coverage in high school, it’s usually not a great sign that he’ll find the ball in college. That’s not going to be an issue with Bowen who has outstanding production as a deep safety.
A receiver on offense, he tracks the football exceptionally well and he can finish. Here he shows terrific makeup speed as he runs with this vertical route and he makes this look like the ball was intended for him.
He’s a special athlete. It’s more than just speed. He’s fluid and can transition smoothly. This should be a touchdown here, but he is able to flip his hips on this speed turn like it’s easy when it’s anything but. He ends up covering both deep routes here and makes the play on the ball to erase the mistake of the linebacker.
Bowen can explode downhill when breaking on the football. This is a free access throw the defense is giving up, but he allows no opportunity for yards after the catch with how quickly he arrives at the ball.
More than just a deep safety, he can play near the line of scrimmage and bang as well. He’s a solid tackler who does a fantastic job wrapping and finishing through the ball carrier here. He’s a physical player.
The ground he closes is another level of great. He shows the potential to excel in just about every area and could thrive robbing routes underneath as well.
What he needs to improve:
His transitions look good, but he can get a bit high with his backpedal. He’s such a fantastic athlete that it doesn’t seem to matter much for him right now, but it likely will matter more against faster athletes in college.
What’s his ceiling?
It’s pretty simple. He has the skills to develop into one of the best safeties in college football. Matching his athleticism with big time ball skills and great instincts means he has the potential to develop into an impact defender at Notre Dame.
I see him getting into the mix for playing time early and there is no doubt he has the tools to start for multiple seasons and play at a high level sooner rather than later in college.
Who he could be:
Former Alabama safety Xavier McKinney (the Notre Dame comp would be Harrison Smith)