Five-star 2023 running back Rueben Owens made news by decommitting from Texas on Thursday afternoon. For a sophomore who “shut down” his commitment before being able to visit a single campus, seeing a change in heart is not surprising.
Even so, Owens and his father have iterated Texas is still the leader going forward. Schools like Alabama, LSU, Oklahoma, and Ohio State will take interest in the five-star as well. A long two years are ahead for what should be an entertaining recruitment.
Focusing back in Austin, the future of the running back room is now in question. Owens was expected to hold the Longhorns over until at least the 2026 season, with players such as Jaydon Blue ahead of him.
The current situation is in good hands with Bijan Robinson and Co. expecting to have a big season. Texas running backs coach Stan Drayton and head coach Steve Sarkisian have done an excellent job nailing down and developing talent.
However, there is still work to do on the recruitment scene. Key prospects from the 2022 class remain, while the Longhorns are back at square one in the 2023 cycle.
Here is the status of the current and future of Texas’ running back room:
