Billy Bowman Jr. is already doing in the NFL what he did for the Oklahoma Sooners.
Bowman picked off J.J. McCarthy in the Atlanta Falcons' 22-6 win over the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday Night Football for his first career NFL interception in just his second game as a pro.
Former Sooner Billy Bowman Jr. gets first INT with Atlanta Falcons
Billy Bowman Jr. with his first NFL interception!! pic.twitter.com/6eQtEsr3ym
— Stormin In Norman (@StorminInNorman) September 15, 2025
After the interception, longtime Sunday Night Football broadcaster Cris Collinsworth raved about Bowman and how much he has already impressed the Falcons' coaching staff as a rookie.
"When you talk to (Falcons defensive coordinator) Jeff Ulbrich, he was so excited about Billy Bowman," Collinsworth said during the broadcast. "He said, 'You know what, I might put him on (Justin) Jefferson, because he is so sticky.'
"When he gets connected to a receiver, he is just on them. He's not the fastest, he's not the quickest, he's not any of that, but when he gets connected to a receiver, they don't get off of him, and you saw that exactly right there."
Although Bowman is just now catching the attention of the NFL world, Sooner Nation already saw all this from Bowman for four seasons. As a four-year starter at OU, Bowman pulled in 11 career interceptions in 47 career games and 41 starts. He also had 14 pass breakups while in coverage.
Despite all that experience and display as a ballhawk, Bowman fell to the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft because of his size at only 5-foot-10. He's already been a steal for the Falcons after impressing during training camp and immediately cracking the starting lineup at nickel back Week 1 as a rookie. He also started against the Vikings.
In his NFL debut against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Bowman tied for the team-high in tackles with six and was also part of sacking fellow Sooner Baker Mayfield. In two NFL games, Bowman has already amassed 10 tackles, half a sack, two pass breakups and an interception.
The Falcons will play the Carolina Panthers at noon CT on Sunday on FOX.
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