Sooner Nation could have to wait until the end to finally hear an Oklahoma player's name called during the 2025 NFL Draft.
The NFL Draft starts at 7 p.m. CT Thursday with the first round, during which, barring the surprise of the night, won't include any Sooners. The second and third rounds begin at 5 p.m. CT Friday, and an OU player could go then, but Sooner Nation could also have to be patient until the fourth round starts at 11 a.m. CT Saturday for the final day.
In the latest seven-round mock draft from Jeff Risdon of Draft Wire, OU's top two prospects, linebacker Danny Stutsman and safety Billy Bowman Jr., are projected to both go in the fourth round.
Sooners Danny Stutsman, Billy Bowman Jr. projected to go in fourth round of NFL Draft
Risdon had Bowman off the board first between the duo, going to the Arizona Cardinals with the 115th overall pick. Who goes first for the Sooners has flip-flopped leading up to the NFL Draft depending on who made the mock draft.
Bowman has the makings to be a steal no matter where he's taken, though. He's impressed every single time he's been in front of scouts during the process at the Senior Bowl and NFL Scouting Combine. He will enter the NFL with 47 career games under his belt and is a ballhawk in the secondary.
Every year there’s a safety who is undersized but plays with elite instincts and quickness. They usually work out in the NFL.
— Brady Balhorn - BNB Football (@BnbFootball) January 28, 2025
This year it’s Billy Bowman.
Production was down this year but it’s not his fault opposing teams were afraid to target him.
pic.twitter.com/PoiWs34yYB
However, the lone uncontrollable knock on Bowman could be what has him waiting until Day 3. Listed at a generous 5-foot-10 and 192 pounds, Bowman's size has hindered his draft stock. Still, his NFL scouting report projects Bowman as an eventual "plus starter."
Shortly after Bowman, Risdon projected the Tennessee Titans to draft Stutsman with the 120th overall pick as the final Sooner to get taken during this year's draft, ending OU's run of 22 straight drafts with at least three players selected. Last year, the Sooners' 16-year streak of at least four players getting drafted was halted.
That streak could continue, though, if a franchise takes defensive end Ethan Downs late, which looks to be OU's best chance at a third draftee.
But the draft could also be over for Sooner Nation as early as Friday night if Downs goes undrafted, at least according to Chad Reuter of NFL.com. Reuter predicted Bowman and Stutsman to go in the third round of his seven-round mock draft.
Reuter had Stutsman going to the Denver Broncos with the 85th overall pick to be reunited with former OU teammate and linebacker Nik Bonitto. Three picks later, at No. 88, it was the Jacksonville Jaguars filling a hole in their secondary with Bowman.
There is no all-day anticipation for Sooner Nation to see an OU player go No. 1 this year. There's more unknown and required patience entering the 2025 NFL Draft.
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