Sooner Soulmates No More: Jayda Coleman and Billy Bowman Jr. End Fairytale Romance
Norman, Oklahoma – June 2, 2025
In a development that has stunned fans across the country and sent shockwaves through the Oklahoma sports community, Jayda Coleman and Billy Bowman Jr. — the beloved couple once dubbed “Sooner Soulmates” — have officially parted ways after nearly six years together. The two, who began dating in high school and recently got engaged in late 2023, have confirmed their breakup in separate but respectful statements released early Monday morning.
The End of a Fairytale
Their relationship was one for the books — high school sweethearts turned collegiate sports power couple. Jayda, a three-time All-American and one of the most decorated athletes in NCAA softball history, has been the face of the Oklahoma Sooners’ dynasty. Billy, a standout defensive back for the Sooners’ football team and now an NFL hopeful, was often seen in the front row of OU softball games, proudly wearing Coleman’s jersey number and cheering louder than anyone in Marita Hynes Field.
The couple got engaged on December 31, 2023, with a scenic lakeside proposal that lit up social media and sent #BowmanColeman trending nationwide. Their engagement photos, set against an Oklahoma sunset, were shared by ESPN, Sports Illustrated, and nearly every major sports outlet. But behind the social media glitz, sources close to the couple now reveal that the relationship had been quietly strained since late 2024.
“Different Roads, Same Respect”
In her statement posted to Instagram, Jayda wrote:
> “Billy will always have a special place in my heart. What we shared was beautiful, but sometimes love and timing don’t walk hand in hand. I’m so proud of him and everything he’s become. This is just a new chapter for us both — one written with grace, peace, and respect.”
Billy, now training for the NFL Draft after completing his senior season with Oklahoma, shared a similar sentiment:
> “Jayda is a warrior, a queen, and an inspiration. We grew up together, and we grew apart — and that’s okay. I will always root for her. Always.”
The Tension Behind the Scenes
Insiders close to the couple point to increasingly divergent career trajectories as the primary cause of the split. While Jayda is expected to represent Team USA at the upcoming 2025 World Softball Championships and is exploring high-profile endorsements, Billy has been living in Phoenix full-time to train with Combine Elite, a top-tier NFL development program.
“Billy’s focus shifted to the league, and Jayda’s commitment to OU Softball and the national team made balancing time nearly impossible,” a mutual friend disclosed. “They tried hard to make it work — Zoom calls, weekend flights, but they were both chasing greatness in different time zones.”
Others say the weight of public attention was difficult for the couple to navigate.
“They were loved as a unit, but when that kind of spotlight follows you every day, it becomes less about your relationship and more about everyone else’s expectations of it,” another source added.
A Shocking Turn at the Red and White Gala
According to reports, the first visible signs of trouble emerged at the Red and White Gala, an annual Oklahoma Athletics fundraising event in April 2025. Jayda attended solo — a move that surprised many, given their recent engagement. While she gave a rousing speech about female leadership in college sports, Billy was notably absent. Neither addressed the absence directly at the time, though whispers among attendees hinted at tension.
Jayda was later seen attending OU’s spring football game without her engagement ring, fueling weeks of speculation that intensified across sports message boards and social media platforms.
Support from Their Respective Communities
OU Softball Head Coach Patty Gasso issued a brief comment in support of Jayda:
> “Jayda has always shown grace and resilience, both on and off the field. This chapter doesn’t define her. She’s leading our team into the next era with unmatched focus.”
Oklahoma Football’s interim defensive backs coach, Marcus Alexander, also praised Billy’s maturity during a challenging offseason.
> “Billy’s locked in. He’s preparing for the league, and he’s handling everything with the professionalism we expect from Sooners.”
What’s Next?
Jayda Coleman remains one of the top NIL earners in women’s college sports, with brand deals ranging from Nike to Gatorade. She is reportedly working on a book project — part memoir, part motivational guide for young female athletes — expected to be published in early 2026.
Billy Bowman Jr., meanwhile, is projected as a second-to-third-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft and is drawing interest from several AFC teams, including the Kansas City Chiefs and the Miami Dolphins.
Both have unfollowed each other on Instagram — a digital footnote fans noticed within minutes — though neither has scrubbed past posts or engagement photos, a decision many interpret as a gesture of lingering respect and affection.
The Legacy of #BowmanColeman
While their love story may have ended, their influence as a couple remains. In the age of NIL, social media, and unprecedented attention on student-athletes, Jayda and Billy showed how to navigate love, competition, and celebrity with poise far beyond their years.
Their breakup marks the end of a fairytale — but perhaps not the end of their story entirely. In Norman, and across the country, hearts are heavy. But respect remains.
As one fan posted under Jayda’s statement:
“You two were a dream. And even dreams grow apart sometimes. Still rooting for you both.”
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