Oregon kicked the Early Signing Period off with a major bang Wednesday morning.

In a signing day ceremony at his school, 5-star safety Peyton Bowen announced he was flipping his commitment from Notre Dame to the Oregon Ducks.

The Denton (Texas) Guyer safety had been committed to Notre Dame for nearly a year. He originally picked the Fighting Irish back on Jan. 1, 2022. Oklahoma and Texas A&M were also heavily involved in Bowen’s recruitment, but coach Dan Lanning and his defensive staff were able to make a late push to get over the top in recent weeks.

Bowen has also said he plans to enroll early at Oregon.

A 6-foot, 185-pound safety, Bowen ranks as the 14th-best prospect in the entire 2023 class, according to the industry-generated 247 Composite. He’s the No. 2 safety and the No. 3 recruit from the state of Texas.

247Sports National Analyst Gabe Brooks had this to say on Bowen’s game:

“Owns the requisite height and frame with an athletic build. Versatile playmaker for high-caliber Texas Class 6A power. Ample snaps in all three phases at receiver, multiple spots in the secondary, and kick/punt returner. Excellent ball skills. That combines with awareness and instincts to create a ball-productive playmaker. Shows route-running acumen and hands-catching technique at receiver. Also displays terrific body control and adjustment abilities in contested situations. Sudden athlete with lateral mobility and great initial burst and acceleration. Dangerous as a center fielder thanks to ability to cover territory and make plays on the ball. Shows functional athleticism to man up when needed. Turns and locates very well. Outstanding tester. Two-sport athlete with above average track times relative to age (11.31 100, 22.71 200 as a sophomore). Extensive experience in high-leverage situations and against great competition. Helped team to a Texas 6A D-II state runner-up finish as a junior. Good long speed on the field but can still find another gear at the top end, which track data reflect. Occasionally provides the big hit, but right now more effort tackler who will need to add strength and arriving pop with more consistency. Through junior year, looks like one of the nation’s top safeties in the 2023 class. Projects a potential high-major impact player in the future, with immediate special teams value, and a long-term ceiling that could lead to the NFL Draft.”

You can view his highlight tape below, via Hudl: