Oklahoma football: Who are Sooners’ 10 best players at midpoint of 2023 season?

Sep 1, 2019; Norman, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners cheerleaders hold up megaphones during the game against the Houston Cougars at Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 1, 2019; Norman, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners cheerleaders hold up megaphones during the game against the Houston Cougars at Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
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Sep 30, 2023; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners defensive back Billy Bowman Jr. (2) makes an interception during the first half against the Iowa State Cyclones at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 30, 2023; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners defensive back Billy Bowman Jr. (2) makes an interception during the first half against the Iowa State Cyclones at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

4. Junior defensive back Billy Bowman

Billy Bowman is the quiet assassin in the Oklahoma defensive secondary, and you better know where he is if you are an opposing player on offense. The junior defensive back is just 5-foot-10, 190 pounds, but he has been playing large for the Sooners this season. He seems to always be around the ball and may have played his best game as a Sooner in last weekend’s win over Texas.

Bowman matched his career high with 11 tackles against Texas, none no bigger than the bone-jarring hit he put on Longhorn WR Xavier Worthy to stop him in his tracks on the OU 1-yard line to stop Texas on fourth down, prevent what could have been a game-winning touchdown and give the ball back to the Sooners. Bowman was also the player who delivered the hit on TE Ja’Tavian Sanders at the OU 2-yard line early in the game that jarred the ball lose and into the hands of OU’s Kendall Dolby for the interception.