NORMAN — Adjusting to college football, let alone Power Five college football, can take time for some freshmen.

The competition is tougher. The intensity in practice is higher. There are more eyes on you.

But none of that scares Peyton Bowen. The former five-star safety was one of the headliners for OU's 2023 recruiting class, and he's eager to challenge himself during fall camp.

"I just want to get thrown in the fire, see what I have to learn to get better at," Bowen said on Tuesday. "That's the only way you can learn is losing. You're going to lose some reps as a true freshman against these older guys who've gotten all this work.

"Iron sharpens iron, so going against good players are going to help you get better at the end of the day."

Despite lacking experience, Bowen has the skills to hold his own.

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The 6-foot, 199-pound freshman can cover ground well with his speed and nose for the ball, and he's a proven playmaker.

Bowen didn't waste any time showcasing his talent during OU's Red-White spring game on April 22. He recorded an interception in the opening quarter, snatching a deep bomb that was thrown by starting quarterback Dillon Gabriel.

The spring game served as a coming-out party for Bowen, who hasn't stopped impressing OU's coaching staff since then.

"I'm really excited about Peyton," OU head coach Brent Venables said on July 13. "I obviously feel strongly he’s going to help us immediately. The game’s easy for him. For the good ones, it is. He finds the ball. He gets concepts. The moment never gets too big for him."

Of course, Bowen still has plenty to learn.

He's using fall camp as a time to get used to a new defensive system, which is more complex than the one he played in at Denton Guyer High (Texas).

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"I'd say just all the movement," Bowen said of OU's defense. "I'd say that's the hardest part. I feel like I know the plays really well. It's just how your alignment and disguising. I think that's the main thing that just really gets to me."

As if playing safety position at OU isn't challenging enough, Bowen has been moved around this fall.

The first-year Sooner says he has seen time at about five different positions, including the cheetah position. The hybrid role requires a player to be capable of dropping back into coverage and stopping the run, making it as complex of a position as any on the team.

It's a lot to ask of a freshman. But Bowen wanted to get thrown into the fire this fall, and he's getting his wish.

"It's been a challenge, but I'm doing great at it," Bowen said. "I feel like every day I'm getting better at it. Obviously, it's not perfect because I'm still learning five different positions and I get put in at different places.

"But I'm taking it as a challenge. I'm going to keep pushing through it and just do my thing and just learn it so that it comes easier when it's game time."

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This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OU football: Peyton Bowen set to make instant impact for 2023 Sooners