Tag: Tyler Owens

Ravens should pass on Tyler Owens, draft a more down to earth defensive back

Former Texas Tech DB and NFL Draft prospect Tyler Owens is certainly no rocket scientist.

Former Texas Tech DB and NFL Draft prospect Tyler Owens is certainly no rocket scientist. Given what he said at the Scouting Combine, one can’t be sure he truly knows what a rocket even does.

“I don’t believe in space,” Owens said in a video posted on Twitter by Brent Sobleski of Bleacher Report. “I’m real religious, so I think we’re alone right now. I don’t think there’s other planets and other stuff like that.”

He added that although he doesn’t embrace the idea that the Earth is flat, he does believe that proponents of this conspiracy theory have some valid points.

One has to wonder what he thinks of that NFL Draft talking season cliche “makes plays in space.”

While Owens is not interviewing for a job at NASA, this level of ignorance can’t be ignored. You can look up, right now, from wherever you are and see space. If you have a telescope, you can see other planets. You don’t have to be as intelligent as Neil deGrasse Tyson to realize that Owens’ comments have his NFL Draft stock in freefall.

Again, this is about whether he can ball at the next level. No one is seeking a dissertation on astrophysics from him. However, Owens’ NFL.com prospect profile lists the following under “Weaknesses”:

  • Lack of experience shows up with apparent mental busts.
  • Understanding of zone assignments seems to get murky.

NFL scouts question his ability to grasp coverage schemes and believe he’s prone to mental lapses. His comments on the cosmos don’t help his cause. Which is too bad, because in theory, his draft stock should be shooting for the moon.

His broad jump was the highest in NFL combine history, nearing the world record. He has astronomical speed, as reports indicated he was the fastest player at the East-West Shrine Game.

However, the Baltimore Ravens should pass on drafting this guy. While not the Ravens’ top priority this draft, defensive back is a position of need. However, Baltimore should go for a guy that is much more experienced and better grounded.

See this list. They need a guy who is down to Earth.

6 standouts from DB, TE workouts at 2024 NFL Scouting Combine

Which cornerbacks and tight ends stood out most on Day 2 in Indianapolis?

The Jacksonville Jaguars have made no secret that they want to add to their cornerback room. New defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen hinted at the need in his introductory press conference and general manager Trent Baalke was much less subtle when he said it’s “a group we need to address.”

Thus, there are plenty of cornerbacks — like Alabama’s Terrion Arnold, Clemson’s Nate Wiggins, and Toledo’s Quinyon Mitchell — who could end up being the No. 17 overall pick in April. And all of those players were on display Friday at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine.

The Jaguars seem less inclined to add a tight end to their roster, but that position competed Friday as well. Here are six players who stood out in Day 2 at the combine:

Tyler Owens leaps into Scouting Combine history

Texas Tech safety Tyler Owens leaps into Scouting Combine history with an amazing broad jump

Texas Tech safety Tyler Owens has had himself quite the couple of days at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine.

On Thursday, Owens created some interesting buzz by proclaiming that he doesn’t believe that space or other planets exist. That didn’t remain the most notable part of Owens’ week for too long.

During Friday’s athletic testing, Owens proved to be quite the prodigious leaper. The 12 foot-2-inch broad jump is the second-lkngest leap in comvjne history. It’s one inch behind Byron Jones’ record.

Unfortunately for Owens, his combine ended shortly thereafter. Owens pulled up quickly in his first 40-yard dash attempt with a groin issue and was ruled out for the rest of the testing.

2024 NFL draft: 5 defensive backs for Chargers to watch at Combine

Here are a few defensive backs for the Los Angeles Chargers to watch at the Combine.

The NFL Scouting Combine is in full gear, which will bring the 2024 draft class fully into focus, as this is the week of athletic testing, evaluations, and interviews for over 300 prospects.

With the combine ready to set the stage before free agency and the draft, we look at players worth monitoring for the Chargers.

Whether it be players who are options at pick No. 5 or later in the draft, we will pick out some at each position who should test well and generate buzz.

Here are a few defensive backs worth keeping an eye on.

NFL prospect admits he ‘doesn’t believe in space’ in combine interview

NFL prospect Tyler Owens admits he ‘doesn’t believe in space’ in combine interview

Combine podium interviews are typically pretty basic for prospects. They field media questions about their college experiences, their favorite players, who they’ve met with here in Indy, and sometimes even the weirdest question they’ve been asked. We have a new clubhouse leader for the weirdest answer to a combine podium question.

Texas Tech safety Tyler Owens had the most memorable answer to a question in a long time. Owens declared that he does t believe space, or other planets, actually exist.

“I don’t believe in space,” Owens said straughtfaced. “I don’t think there’s other planets and stuff like that.”

The follow up question asking where his interesting belief came from is difficult to make out but involves “flat earth” conspiracies.

It was not what anyone was expecting to hear. No word on how the odd amswer is being reveived by the NFL teams in attendance.

Former Texas DB Tyler Owens to transfer to Texas Tech

Tyler Owens has found a new home.

Former Texas defensive back Tyler Owens has found a new home after entering the transfer portal in October.

The former four-star from the dreaded class of 2019, which has seen an absurd amount of attrition, was unable to ever truly crack the rotation. He mostly contributed on special teams, but did see one start during his time as a Longhorn.

He will be staying in-state, and even the same conference, as it was reported on Wednesday that he will transfer to Texas Tech. He will play for new head coach Joey McGuire who has hit the recruiting trail hard ever since taking the job as the Red Raiders new man in charge.

Owens at one point even flirted with the possibility of moving to linebacker in the offseason like DeMarvion Overshown, who was also once a defensive back. However, the move never came and for the third straight year he found himself buried on the depth chart.

As a Longhorn, Owens recorded 13 total tackles and one pass deflection. He will look to make an impression for McGuire this offseason in hopes of carving out a bigger role, and he will be immediately eligible due to the one-time transfer rule.

Texas DB Tyler Owens enters NCAA transfer portal

After never consistently cracking the lineup, junior defensive back Tyler Owens has decided to enter his name into the transfer portal.

Texas is starting to experience some midseason roster changes, as junior defensive back Tyler Owens has decided to enter his name into the transfer portal.

The move was reported by Inside Texas on Friday. Owens has not had quite the impact as a Longhorn that he or the fan base were expecting. The former four-star prospect out of Plano, Texas has accumulated 13 total tackles and one start in his three seasons in Austin.

Owens has made a total of 27 appearances throughout his collegiate career, and was unable to crack a spot in the rotation this season. He saw limited action in five games making a couple tackles.

When he first committed, he was known for his elite speed. However, he was unable to find the field due to the safety spot being quite full. During this past offseason, he teased Twitter hinting that he may make the switch to linebacker like DeMarvion Overhsown did, but that never seemed to come to fruition.

Coming out of high school, Owens held 15 offers from schools such as Baylor, Houston, Nebraska, and UCLA. There are currently no predictions as to where he may continue his playing career at this point.

Players can choose to withdraw their name from the transfer portal, but for someone like Owens who does have immense potential and has rather found himself buried on the depth chart, that likely won’t happen.

Texas DB Tyler Owens drops hint at potential position switch to linebacker

Texas safety Tyler Owens struggled to see the field last season. On Wednesday, he hinted at a potential move to linebacker on Twitter.

Juwan Mitchell’s entrance into the transfer portal, again, has left a hole in the middle of Texas’ defense. Last season’s leading tackler and starting middle linebacker will not be returning to the team this time, and Pete Kwiatkowski and Jeff Choate will be looking for a replacement.

In our bold predictions for the spring, Longhorns Wire mentioned that Mitchell’s loss will not hurt the team too badly — for good reason.

Based on last season’s depth chart, Jaylan Ford or David Gbenda both seem reasonable options. Each was recruited as a linebacker and each is in position to compete for Mitchell’s starting spot. However, could there be another safety to linebacker transition?

DeMarvion Overshown was moved into the box last season, thriving as an outside linebacker and becoming a real leader of Texas’ defense. On Wednesday, safety Tyler Owens hinted at the possibility of him making a similar move, joining Overshown at linebacker.

Owens was a hard-hitting safety coming out of Plano East High School. Even better, he is one of the fastest players on the field. Owens’ personal-best 100-meter time in high school was 10.29, but he ran a 10.38 to finish second in the state at the 6A level in 2019. Good luck to opposing offenses on finding a player who can outrun Owens.

Overshown seemed to enjoy the idea as well…

Agent Zero is correct, seeing him and Owens in the same box would be a scary sight for offenses. Linebackers with coverage skills as former defensive backs are a plus, especially with how often Kwiatkowski drops eight.

Owens has struggled to see the field during his two seasons. B.J. Foster and Chris Brown have held down the strong safety spots, with the former projected to start there this season. A switch to linebacker would be a fast track to playing time for Owens.

Texas Translation: Projecting linebackers in Kwiatkowski’s scheme

With the new defensive scheme being deployed for the Texas Longhorns, let’s take a look at who might be factors at the linebacker position.

Texas defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski is bringing a new scheme to Austin. The defense runs a four-man front with two defensive tackles and two outside linebacker-pass rusher hybrids. At the second level, PK’s scheme deploys two inside linebackers.

In Chris Ash’s scheme, they ran a weakside linebacker (WILL) which was typically DeMarvion Overshown’s role. The second linebacker was the middle linebacker (MIKE) manned by Juwan Mitchell. With Kwiatkowski’s scheme, the linebackers are deployed as two inside linebackers, similar to inside linebackers in a 3-4 scheme.

Texas’ two starters from a year ago are projected to once again be the focal points at the second level in 2021.

[lawrence-related id=32480]

Linebackers Personnel

(Courtesy of Patrick Conn/Longhorns Wire)

The two linebackers in this scheme will have to be able to play sideline to sideline. That means they must be able to operate in space and cover a lot of area. When it comes to an instinctive, physical player that can handle himself in open space, Overshown is the player that comes to mind immediately.

With the depth at linebacker, Jaylan Ford would be an ideal candidate for the position as well. He has the ability to move sideline to sideline but lacks the in-game experience, but that should come in time. The 2021 recruiting class additions of Morice Blackwell and Terrence Cooks could find their way to the field as well given their athleticism at the position.

One candidate to move to linebacker is current safety Tyler Owens. He’s a player who can make plays in the open field. That is the biggest key when it comes to playing the position for Kwiatkowski.

Texas Football: Where the safeties sit as season approaches

If there is one word to describe the safety position for Texas this season, it would be loaded. Caden Sterns and Chris Brown lead the way.

If there is one word to describe the safety position for Texas this season, it would be loaded. Based on high school rankings alone, the Longhorns have four blue-chip players in 247Sports’ latest two-deep depth chart.

*Link to article requires a subscription

Here is how the safeties line up going into the season opener against UTEP on Sept. 12.

Free safety Strong Safety
Caden Sterns Chris Brown
Montrell Estell/Tyler Owens B.J. Foster

Sterns and Brown have run first-team all camp. It seems at this point that they’re a lock. Sterns, when healthy, is an All-American-type player. He showed that as a freshman. Brown, in addition to being one of the most physical players on the team, is also one of the best leaders on defense.

Pretty incredible that we’re talking about Foster as a backup. Talk about quality depth. Estell has had a better camp than Owens, who is still thinking too much, according to sources.

“The game has slowed down for Estell,” one team source. “The game needs to slow down for Owens.”

Safety Jerrin Thompson was the first freshman to have his rookie stripe taken off. I’m told the kid has just done everything right in terms of work ethic and attitude.

There is no doubt that Caden Sterns is going to be the best safety for Chris Ash’s defense. As 247Sports says, when he healthy, Sterns is an All-American type player. His struggles last season came down to injuries and missed important games such as Oklahoma and TCU.

Chris Brown at strong safety is a real surprise, considering B.J. Foster started in eight of the nine games he participated in. Listed at 5-11 and 187 pounds, Brown is going into his fifth year in Austin and is a redshirt senior.

To play strong safety, you have to be a physical presence, especially down in the box. 247Sports is reporting that Brown has been exactly that.

Foster is more than capable of starting for Texas at strong safety. If Brown is emerging as the partner to Sterns, it shows how strong of competition and how good of a roster the Longhorns have complied.

Moving to the backups and it seems as Montrell Estell and Tyler Owens are still fighting it out for the backup free safety spot. Whoever wins, it will take a lot to get Sterns off the field.

Both Estell and Owens played in all 13 games last season.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]