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Darrion Owens
LB - Junior 6'3 243 - Orange Park, Fl
2015 Statistics: 4 tackles, 1 TFL (missed all but two games with injury).
Projected starter last season who suffered season ending injury in week 2.
Recorded 23 tackles as a true freshman.
Limited this spring, so hard to gauge his progress:
Darrion Owens off to the side of practice. He's limited this spring. pic.twitter.com/Nlgdd1vvqc
— David Furones (@DavidFurones90) March 15, 2016
Big, fast, hard hitting edge setter when/if healthy.
Some highlights from his prep days:
Summary: The first question with Owens, is obviously his health. The junior to be blew out his ACL and meniscus last season Vs FAU. So it's been a long road back to recovery. According to all reports, should be ready to go by fall practice. If he is 100% could very well be the starting weak side OLB in Manny Diaz' new attacking style 4-3 D opposite Jermaine Grace. He will also be asked to provide leadership to young LB's like former H.S. teammate freshman Shaq Quarterman, who is projected to start at MLB. Owens is big, strong, fast, and mean enough to thrive in this system. The other big questions besides health, will be how he plays out in space and in coverage. He certainly has the tools to dominate in blitz situations and at the line of scrimmage. But can he keep up with RB's and TE's down the field? He was even a part time rush end in the previous regime's defense, so playing in the opposing backfield should not be an issue. If Owens is moving well this fall, he should earn the nod or split time with freshman Michael Pinckney. Again, his knee needs to be watched closely come August, but if he is all the way back 50+ tackles and a few sacks are well within his reach in 2016.