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On Monday afternoon, Peter Ariz from CanesInSight.com reported that Miami Hurricanes LB Darrion Owens would likely transfer from the program.
Miami LB Darrion Owens will be transferring, sources say. He is eligible to play elsewhere immediately since he graduated in December. Houston is a possible landing spot.
— Peter Ariz (@PeterAriz) January 1, 2018
The University of Miami confirmed this report with a press release on Tuesday morning.
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The University of Miami announced Tuesday that linebacker Darrion Owens has decided to leave the football program.
“Darrion and I talked, and he informed me that he feels his best opportunity to get the most playing time would be at another school,” head coach Mark Richt said. “Darrion has been a great representative of our program. We appreciate all the hard work he has put in and we wish him all the best in his future plans.”
“I would like to thank Coach Richt, the coaching staff, my teammates and all of the Hurricane fans for their support,” Owens said. “I’m proud to have earned my degree from the University of Miami and I look forward to this next chapter in my football career.”
Owens, a redshirt junior from Orange Park, played in all 13 games for the Hurricanes this past season, recording 35 tackles, including 4.5 for loss.
A redshirt junior, Owens could graduate and be immediately eligible at his next school.
Formerly a 4-star recruit from Jacksonville (FL) Oakleaf HS, Owens had a decent, if unspectacular, career at Miami. He played in 32 games over 4 years, collecting 79 tackles, 7.5 TFL, 0.5 sacks, 4 PBU, and 1 forced fumble in that time.
Owens played in just 2 games during the 2015 season before tearing his ACL and missing the rest of the year. He took at medical redshirt due to that injury, which is how he played in parts of 4 seasons yet retains eligibility, for those wondering.
Owens had his best statistical season in 2017, finishing with 35 tackles and 4.0 TFL in 12 games. He was a good rotation player in the linebacking corps, and one could make the argument he was actually better this season than Zach McCloud at the SAM LB position.
Owens’ departure will hurt the depth at LB a bit, and force the younger players at the position to step up into game action next season.
We wish Darrion Owens the best in hie future endeavors.