OU’s secondary is positioned to have another strong year after it finished fourth in the Southeastern Conference in passing yards allowed per game, an improvement from seventh place, out of 16, in its inaugural campaign in the league.
Spearheading the no-fly-zone are defensive backs Courtland Guillory and brothers Peyton and Eli Bowen under the leadership of new cornerbacks coach LaMar Morgan, who spent the last two seasons at Michigan, and safeties coach Brandon Hall, who has been with the program since 2022.
Junior defensive back Reggie Powers III is poised for an expanded role in 2026 after Kendal Daniels’ departure to the NFL. Powers saw time at the Sooners’ hybrid “Cheetah” position in 2025 and is now a leading candidate to step in as the starter, transitioning from his traditional defensive back role to one that includes both defensive back and linebacker duties.
Guillory solidified himself as a worthy replacement for former Sooner and now Atlanta Falcon Billy Bowman Jr., who was drafted in 2025 following four seasons in Norman. The Houston native drew praise from teammates for his growth during his freshman season, in which he was tested by some of the top receivers in the league.
"He didn't waver," Peyton Bowen said ahead of OU’s 2025 matchup with Tennessee. "His moment got called again. (He had) those plays that were iffy in the Auburn game, but he was still there (and) in a position to make it. He was panicked. It’s what freshmen do, and so the way he bounced back now … just shows how good of a player he's going to be."
Guillory was tested in OU's win over Auburn on Sept. 20 when he played 6-foot-3-inch wide receiver Cam Coleman, who is now a Texas Longhorn. Coleman caught three passes for 88 yards and a touchdown that day, getting the better of the young defensive back. However, for the rest of the season, Guillory deflected the most passes on the team, helping him finish tied for first on the team in 2025 and 13th in the SEC.
Peyton Bowen enters his senior season as the most experienced player within the position group and can extend his streak of reliability in the secondary. He has appeared in every game, posted at least 33 tackles a year over the last three seasons, racked up seven pass breakups, and registered two interceptions during the 2025 season.
Peyton Bowen’s younger brother, junior defensive back Eli Bowen, looks to recreate the production he provided in both his freshman and sophomore seasons. Eli Bowen recorded 24 tackles, three pass deflections and two interceptions in nine starts in 2025 and has recorded at least three pass breakups and an interception in both seasons. With Eli Bowen’s experience over the last two seasons, he is poised to be another leader of the secondary.
“I’m not usually talkative, and I'm not a big leadership guy with words. I'm more by action,” Eli Bowen said on April 13. “(Being an upperclassman) called me to be more talkative and help other guys to get their process in getting help with connecting the playbook with each call.”
Guillory and the Bowen brothers gear up for another season against some of the top receiving threats in the country, but after sharing the field for a season, they have more chemistry and experience.
This story was edited by Joshua McDaniel. Parker Newman and Tori Pham copy edited this story.
