Eli Bowen, Oklahoma DB: the 2026 season story
Eli Bowen is a junior defensive back for Oklahoma (SEC). He ranks 544th of 1,841 defensive backs in Division I by the Player Index, which judges every defensive back on the measures that matter at the position, adjusted for the opponents he faced.
Scouting report
Why it matters. Every measure is set against every ranked defensive back, so a strength here is a strength against the whole position, not just his own team. Eli Bowen's strongest measure is passes defended per 100 throws at 2.0, 178th of 921 (the average is 1.3). His weakest is interceptions per game at 0.00, 397th of 921 (the average is 0.08).
Season production
Why it matters. Volume is the first sign of how much a coaching staff trusts a player. His tackles per game, 2.9, ranks 593rd among 921 ranked defensive backs.
Against every defensive back
Why it matters. Volume, efficiency and impact plays can tell different stories: a player can be busy without being effective, or rarely used but dangerous every time. Among ranked defensive backs he sits, on average, in the 36th percentile for volume, 46th for efficiency and 41st for impact.
The season, game by game
Why it matters. Consistency matters to a team: one huge game and five quiet ones is a different season from six solid ones. Over 5 games, Eli Bowen's best came in week 2 at Michigan and his quietest in week 1 against UTEP.
Where he does his damage
Why it matters. The shape of a player's production, not just its size, is what opponents scout.
National and conference
Why it matters. The Player Index puts every defensive back on one scale, adjusted for the defenses or offenses he faced, so a rank here is comparable across conferences. Eli Bowen is 361st of 921 FBS defensive backs and 55th of 106 in the SEC. Next up nationally is Kode Lowe of UTEP, 0.00 ahead on the index.
Career
Why it matters. A player's track record is the best guide to whether a season like this one is likely to last. His best season by the Player Index was 2024 at Oklahoma, 214th of 1,077 defensive backs.
Defensive backs like him
Why it matters. Players with similar profiles tend to be used the same way, which makes them a quick way to picture his game. His closest match this season is Leonard Moore of Notre Dame.
